Menopausal NHS workers will be able to work from home under new national guidance
Head of health service issues national guidance on menopause for first time ever
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Women suffering from symptoms of menopause who work in the NHS will be able to work from home if they need to under new guidance.
Head of the health service, Amanda Pritchard, has issued national NHS guidance on menopause for the first time and said other employers should follow suit to help menopausal women “thrive” at work.
The new plans will mean women suffering from symptoms could be given lighter duties and have access to “flexible working patterns”.
NHS guidance asks employers to implement “any reasonable adjustments to their working pattern”. This could include flexible breaks, remote working or shorter hours.
It comes as one in 10 job roles in the NHS remain unfilled as hospitals struggle to catch up with appointments and operations following the backlog caused by the pandemic.
But Ms Pritchard says allowing menopausal women the flexibility when they are suffering and really need it will be a boost to the NHS workforce in the long run.
“Menopause is not a health condition, it’s a stage of life, and I want all women facing this transition in the NHS to have access to the right support to stay in and thrive at work,” she told The Telegraph.
Ms Pritchard continued: “Women approaching or going through menopause should not have to put up with feeling uncomfortable at work, or feel any shame in talking about a transition which is simply a part of life.
“Simple steps like flexible working patterns, fans to help make temperatures more comfortable, cooler uniforms, and staff training can make a big difference and I want to see this happening right across the board.”
Symptoms of menopause can include aches and joint pain, anxiety, difficulties sleeping, hot flushes and brain fog, plus a number of other health problems.
Women between the ages of 45 and 54 make up around a fifth of the NHS workforce, and around 260,000 of these experience menopause symptoms at work.
A study from the Fawcett Society has found that around 1 in 10 women end up being forced out of work because of a lack of support from their employer.
Chair of campaign group Menopause Mandate, Mariella Frostrup, told The Telegraph: “Regarding flexible working, should a woman feel that her symptoms are affecting her ability to do her job, then of course employers should support her in the same way they would should she be struggling with pregnancy.”
The NHS guidance is designed so it could be used across any workplace in any industry.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments