Keep up momentum on delivery of menopause clinics – Higgins

Now that the new dedicated menopause clinic at the National Maternity Hospital has begun helping women experiencing severe menopause symptoms, there must be no delay on delivering the three other promised clinics, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy Emer Higgins, TD for Dublin Mid-West, who has previously raised the issue of menopause supports in the Dáil said, “It is really positive that the first of these promised menopause clinics is open and providing essential healthcare for women experiencing severe menopause symptoms.

“There must now be no delay in the delivery of the three other promised clinics and I am following up on my previous correspondence with the Minister for Health asking him to do everything in his power to ensure they are up and running as soon as possible.

“Last December I raised this matter in the Dáil with the Taoiseach and he agreed that this was a really important issue and concurred with the need for the three other menopause clinics to get up and running.

“Many women suffer in silence with severe menopause symptoms and an absence of dedicated supports and facilities only silences them more, so it is imperative that the three clinics are open and operational as soon as possible.

“Women can really struggle during this time of their life and find it hard to access the right supports or advice on things like hormone treatment, which sadly we know can lead to women withdrawing from work and other activities because they simply can’t cope.

“I would urge any woman who is experiencing difficulties from menopause to reach out to their GP who can now refer suitable patients to the menopause clinic at Holles Street.

“However, currently the menopause clinic at the National Maternity Hospital only has the capacity to see women within the catchment area so we really need these other clinics opened immediately to begin treating more women and I want to see no further delay on this,” concluded Deputy Higgins.