The first UK Menopause Taskforce meeting was held on Thursday 3 February, SHP sums up some of the key takeaways from the initial gathering.
Women across the UK are set to benefit from improved menopause support and care as government ministers and senior clinicians from across all four nations recently came together for the inaugural meeting of the UK Menopause Taskforce.
The meeting came after the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) launched a consultation into the reclassification of a locally applied HRT product, Gina 10, meaning women across the UK could access a menopausal treatment over the counter, without prescription.
Gina 10 microgram vaginal tablets are used for the treatment of vaginal atrophy due to oestrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women aged 50 and above, who have not had a period for at least one year.
This is the first time HRT has been considered for sale over the counter, marking important progress in ensuring women can easily access treatment.
Minister for Women’s Health and co-chair of the UK Menopause Taskforce, Maria Caulfield, said: “For too long women have one unsupported and unheard when it comes to women’s health issues…
“This must change. The UK Menopause Taskforce is another stride forward in delivering real change for women across the UK, breaking down taboos and ensuring better access to treatment and support.”
Established to ensure co-ordination across the UK in terms of raising awareness of the menopause and improve care and support, the objectives of the taskforce are to:
The formation of the taskforce forms part of the wider commitment to eradicate health disparities and ensure everyone is able to lead healthier, happier lives.
The inaugural meeting of the taskforce discussed key themes and focuses, shared objectives across all four nations, and the future ways of working.
The taskforce seeks to draw on best practice across all nations and will draw on workstreams including Scotland’s Women’s Health Plan, which prioritised the menopause.
It was agreed during the meeting that the taskforce will meet every 2 months, and future meetings will be scheduled by theme which will include:
The taskforce is time-limited, holding meetings every 2 months and will be in operation for an initial period of 18 months.
At the end of the initial period, permanent members will consider if there is a need for the taskforce to be extended or transformed into another purpose.
The taskforce will be co-chaired by Maria Caulfield MP, Minister for Patient Safety and Primary Care and Carolyn Harris MP, Labour MP for Swansea East and Chair of the Menopause All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG).
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