A new campaign has launched calling for every GP surgery in the UK to have at least one doctor or nurse trained in menopause and hormone health.

The campaign kicked off at an event in Parliament Square, London, where a mock GP surgery waiting room, titled ‘Why are we waiting?’ was installed to highlight how long many women wait to get the right hormone healthcare.

Balance founder Dr Louise Newson and members of the Balance and Newson Education  teams were among the supporters at the event, which was organised by Love & Power, a not-for-profit feminist collective which campaigns for meaningful change for gender equality.

Menopause affects millions of women, yet many say they struggle to find a doctor or nurse at their local surgery who understands their symptoms and treatment options. Campaigners say that having just one trained professional in every practice would make a real difference, so that women can get the help they need close to home.

Dr Louise said: ‘Women deserve better hormone healthcare, and that starts with education. It is shocking that doctors can qualify with as little as one hour of menopause education during their entire medical training.

‘Women are impacted by hormonal changes throughout their lives. They should not have to fight to be listened to, struggle to access hormone treatments or pay privately because their healthcare professionals haven’t been adequately trained.

'Too many women are being harmed by a lack of knowledge and safe prescribing of progesterone, estradiol and testosterone. This needs to change, and fast.’

A global survey of more than 3,500 women and analysed by Newson Research found that more than 60% of respondents saw multiple healthcare professionals before receiving hormone treatment (HRT). One in ten reported attending more than ten GP appointments before being prescribed hormone treatments.

How to get involved

Members of the public are being encouraged to sign up and join the campaign. Campaigners will train people in local neighbourhoods so they can push for the care they and their communities deserve.

GP surgeries can also sign up: practices that commit to having at least one trained member of staff will be added to a map, so patients can easily find surgeries offering menopause support in their local area.

Sign up to join the campaign here: https://www.loveandpower.co.uk/menopause

Picture credit: Love & Power. Photographer: Robyn Halliday