Orkney and Shetland Labour
21 May 2019
Scottish Labour has called on the SNP Government to take urgent action to give women better access to menopause care.
During a parliamentary debate today Scottish Labour has called on the SNP Government to end the postcode lottery over menopause care.
In an answer to a parliamentary question by Scottish Labour Health Spokesperson Monica Lennon last year, it was revealed that only five of Scotland’s fourteen regional health boards have a dedicated menopause clinic to provide women with the support they need.
Furthermore, there is no standardised form of recording data on menopause care in Scotland, both at a clinic or in a primary care setting such as a GP.
Symptoms of the menopause can last for more than 10 years and can have a negative impact on the ability of women to stay in the world of work.
Scottish Labour's Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, Monica Lennon MSP, who has also written to Jeane Freeman about the issue, reiterated the call to ensure better access to clinics during the debate.
Scottish Labour's Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, Monica Lennon MSP, said:
“Women will experience menopause differently but it’s a fact of life and, wherever you live in Scotland, you should have fast access to advice and treatment if you need it.
"Only five health boards in Scotland offer a dedicated menopause clinic and it’s unclear what support exists in the rest of the country.
“I raised this with the Scottish Government some months ago, and the Cross Party Group on Women’s Health I lead held an event on the menopause last year.
“I do welcome the fact that the Scottish Government are giving greater priority to the menopause agenda and it’s important that real change follows.
“We need swift action to improve women’s access to healthcare and their experience of menopause in the workplace.”
Scottish Labour has called on the SNP Government to take urgent action to give women better access to menopause care.
During a parliamentary debate today Scottish Labour has called on the SNP Government to end the postcode lottery over menopause care.
In an answer to a parliamentary question by Scottish Labour Health Spokesperson Monica Lennon last year, it was revealed that only five of Scotland’s fourteen regional health boards have a dedicated menopause clinic to provide women with the support they need.
Furthermore, there is no standardised form of recording data on menopause care in Scotland, both at a clinic or in a primary care setting such as a GP.
Symptoms of the menopause can last for more than 10 years and can have a negative impact on the ability of women to stay in the world of work.
Scottish Labour's Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, Monica Lennon MSP, who has also written to Jeane Freeman about the issue, reiterated the call to ensure better access to clinics during the debate.
Scottish Labour's Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, Monica Lennon MSP, said:
“Women will experience menopause differently but it’s a fact of life and, wherever you live in Scotland, you should have fast access to advice and treatment if you need it.
"Only five health boards in Scotland offer a dedicated menopause clinic and it’s unclear what support exists in the rest of the country.
“I raised this with the Scottish Government some months ago, and the Cross Party Group on Women’s Health I lead held an event on the menopause last year.
“I do welcome the fact that the Scottish Government are giving greater priority to the menopause agenda and it’s important that real change follows.
“We need swift action to improve women’s access to healthcare and their experience of menopause in the workplace.”