← Back to Westminster Hall Debates
World Menopause Day — [Mr Philip Hollobone in the Chair]
27 October 2022
Lead MP
Carolyn Harris
Neath and Swansea East
Lab
Responding Minister
Will Quince
Tags
NHSEmployment
Word Count: 12400
Other Contributors: 14
At a Glance
Carolyn Harris raised concerns about world menopause day — [mr philip hollobone in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The speaker urges the Minister to guarantee that the promised prepayment certificate for HRT prescriptions in England will be implemented by April 2023 without further delays. She also calls for better training for medical professionals and resources for health services to improve menopause care.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The speaker is concerned about the lack of progress on promises made by the Government to improve menopause support, including unresolved HRT shortages, delayed implementation of free prescriptions for hormone replacement therapy, and inadequate training for medical professionals. She cites numerous personal stories highlighting misdiagnosis and insufficient workplace support.
Andrea Leadsom
Con
South Northamptonshire
Paying tribute to MPs who have raised awareness of menopause, Andrea Leadsom highlighted the lack of education on the subject in medical schools and the inadequate response from GPs. She mentioned that 41% of medical schools do not teach menopause as a mandatory subject, and only 37% of women with symptoms are given hormone replacement therapy (HRT), while 23% receive antidepressants.
Caroline Nokes
Con
Romsey and Southampton North
Paying tribute to MPs involved in menopause advocacy, Caroline Nokes expressed disappointment over the delayed government response to a Women and Equalities Committee report on menopause. She called for flexible working policies through an employment Bill, mandatory workplace policies led by BEIS, and the enactment of section 14 of the Equality Act 2010. Additionally, she urged the Health Minister to commit to women's health strategy and to trial menopause leave within large-scale public sector employers like the NHS. Ms Nokes questioned the consistency of previous statements by the Minister regarding delays in implementing changes, asking for clarification on whether consultations with professional bodies or technical system issues were causing the delay.
Warrington North
Expressed gratitude towards the hon. Member for Swansea East and highlighted the importance of appropriate treatment, noting that almost one in ten women leave the workforce due to menopause-related issues. Raised concerns about women from ethnic minority communities, trans people, and those on contraception missing out on necessary support and guidance.
Danny Kruger
Reform
East Wiltshire
Mr Danny Kruger acknowledged the importance of improving training for GPs to understand menopausal symptoms and avoid misdiagnosing them as depression. He supported recommendations from the APPG report, including the need for large employers to have proper menopause policies in place and for primary care to improve understanding of the menopause.
Mr Hughes spoke as the husband of a menopausal woman and praised his wife Clare and PHS Group for their support. He urged all men to understand more about menopause so they can provide better support to colleagues and family members.
Feryal Clark
Lab
Enfield North
Ms Clark acknowledged the efforts of MPs like Carolyn Harris and Caroline Nokes for championing women's issues. She highlighted that 84% of women feel their voices are not heard in healthcare, stressing the need for better medical education on menopause. Ms Clark also raised concerns about HRT shortages and increased costs due to prescription charges, as well as access disparities for black and minority ethnic women who require multiple GP appointments.
Gerald Jones
Lab
Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
Mr Gerald Jones expressed concern about the significant impact of menopause on women's health, workplaces, and society. He highlighted that around 75% of menopausal women experience symptoms, with nearly one million leaving their jobs annually due to these issues. Mr Jones called for employers to raise awareness and implement supportive policies to address the taboos surrounding menopause in the workplace.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon highlighted the need for specialist menopause care in hospitals across the UK and advocated for better training for GPs to provide clear guidance on treatment options. He noted that 900,000 women have left their jobs due to menopausal symptoms and emphasised the importance of addressing mental health issues arising from menopause.
Kirsten Oswald
SNP
East Renfrewshire
Ms Oswald highlighted the importance of discussing menopause openly and stressed that it is a common experience affecting over half of women. She mentioned local efforts in East Renfrewshire to support women through menopause, such as initiatives by Councillors Annette Ireland, Caroline Bamforth, and Angela Convery. She noted key statistics including the average age for reaching menopause being 51, one in 100 women experiencing it before age 40, 70% of women having mental health impacts during menopause, and symptoms lasting up to 15 years. Ms Oswald also discussed the need for structural support, emphasizing the importance of free HRT prescriptions and period products provided by the Scottish Government.
Lisa Cameron
SNP
East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow
I thank the hon. Lady for bringing this vital debate to Parliament. Her speech is a wonderful contribution on what so many people have gone through. Does she agree that menopause is not just a physical condition or response in the body, but something with a mental health and wellbeing impact? People need access to specialist services and clinicians, so that their psychosocial needs can be met in a holistic way.
Liz McInnes
Lab
Heywood and Middleton
Expressed her own experience of misdiagnosis, highlighting the importance of improving recognition and treatment options for those suffering from menopausal symptoms.
Marion Fellows
Lab
Torfaen
As someone who went through menopause about 30 years ago, Marion Fellows emphasized the importance of talking openly about the subject. She noted the lack of understanding from employers and the need for younger colleagues to be aware of what menopause involves. Fellows praised MPs like Carolyn Harris and Caroline Nokes for their work in raising awareness.
Rachel Hopkins
Lab
Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Rachel Hopkins noted that 13 million UK women are peri or postmenopausal and that one in ten women over 50 quit jobs due to menopause symptoms. She highlighted inadequate support due to societal taboos, the high cost of HRT, and the need for better workplace policies to support menopausal women.
Selaine Saxby
Con
North Devon
Selaine Saxby thanked Carolyn Harris for raising awareness about menopause and praised previous Health Ministers for their work. She highlighted the lack of employer support, policies, awareness, and training available to women experiencing menopause symptoms, urging more women to speak with their doctors about HRT.
Government Response
Will Quince
Government Response
Welcomed the debate on World Menopause Day, thanked Carolyn Harris for raising awareness, acknowledged the impact of menopause on millions of women, and highlighted the Government's commitment to improving menopause support through the publication of a women's health strategy. Mentioned the NHS England national menopause care improvement programme and the development of an education and training package for healthcare professionals. Stressed the importance of reducing stigmatisation and increasing awareness from an early age. Addressed issues such as HRT supply and cost, promising to introduce a bespoke prepayment certificate for HRT prescriptions in April 2023. Acknowledged concerns about menopause in the workplace and committed to working with stakeholders on a communications campaign.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.