I am very pleased that from today the Government is introducing pre-payment prescription certificates for Hormone Replacement Therapy, this will reduce the cost of HRT to less than £20 a year which will be a saving of hundreds of pounds for over 400,000 women that are affected. From April 2023, the annual cost for all HRT products will be £18.70, the equivalent of two single prescription charges for a full year.
The Governments, Women's Health Strategy made several key commitments. It has committed to raising awareness of the menopause across the whole population to both reduce stigma around the menopause and to enable women going through the menopause to recognise symptoms. It has also pledged to provide high-quality, personalised menopause care within primary care and, if needed, further specialist care in a timely manner. It further outlines plans to ensure that women going through the menopause are supported to remain in the workplace and that employers are well equipped to support their workforce during the menopause. There is also a commitment to increasing research into the menopause, including different treatment options and impacts of menopause or menopause treatment on future health risks.
I have recently contacted the NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board to ask what specific resources are available for women locally in Sussex and they have advised the following, they have designed specific supporting Menopause resource packs for GPs and wider Health Care Practitioners including practice pharmacists with a section for patients , the ICB have set up a Clinically focussed Working Group for Menopause and they have developed a Sussex Menopause Pathway.