SDLP Foyle MLA Sinéad McLaughlin has welcomed the official launch of the North’s first menopause charity, Menopause Together, after attending its launch event in Stormont.
The charity aims to educate, empower and support women for a better menopause experience in Northern Ireland.
The challenges accessing menopause support was a key finding of Ms. McLaughlin’s recent Women’s Health Survey, which revealed that 90% of respondents felt there was inadequate service provision available for the biggest healthcare issues affecting women.
Respondents listed menopause support as one of those issues, along with mental health and violence against women and girls.
Speaking on World Menopause Day, the Foyle MLA said: “I would like to warmly welcome the launch of Menopause Together and congratulate its founders on bringing together grassroots women in this way who can support each other as they navigate their experiences in our healthcare service.
“Such a charity is sorely needed, especially given the totally unforgivable gynaecological waiting lists in the North, which are longer than anywhere else in the UK.
“Indeed, respondents to my recent women’s health survey cited inadequate menopause support as one of the major factors impacting women’s health.
“In many cases, women told heart-wrenching stories about a failure to recognise menopause in the health service, the workplace and wider society as the major health issue that it is.
“Too often, women are expected to simply ‘get on with it’, without the proper support in place and face a postcode lottery of services.
“There is clearly a need for improved menopause training for health service staff and respondents also made the case for dedicated menopause clinics.
“These are all issues that a Women’s Health Strategy could address.
“If an Executive is restored, I will be making the case directly to the next Health Minister that such a Strategy, and the accompanying funding, must be prioritised.”
