UK Menopause Taskforce set to tackle the impact of Menopause

WOMEN across the UK will benefit from improved menopause support and care as Government ministers and senior clinicians from across all 4 nations will come together today for the inaugural meeting of the UK Menopause Taskforce. Millions of women go through the menopause every year, with the majority experiencing symptoms that can be severe, such as:- low mood, anxiety, hot flushes and difficulty sleeping, and have a negative impact on everyday life.

The taskforce will tackle issues surrounding the menopause including:- increasing access to treatment, and ending the taboos and stigmas that still surround conversations about the menopause, including in the workplace.

The inaugural meeting comes as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) launched a consultation into the reclassification of a locally applied hormone replacement therapy (HRT) product, Gina 10, meaning women in the UK could access a menopausal treatment over the counter at a pharmacy, without requiring a prescription.

This is the 1st time HRT has been considered for sale over the counter, marking important progress in ensuring women can more easily access menopause treatment.

Minister for Women’s Health and co-chair of the UK Menopause Taskforce Maria Caulfield said:- "For too long women have gone unsupported and unheard when it comes to specific women’s health issues. This is especially true when it comes to the understanding of and treatment for the menopause. This must change. The UK Menopause Taskforce is another stride forward in delivering real change for women across the UK, breaking down taboos and ensuring better access to treatment and support. I look forward to working closely with my colleagues across all 4 nations as we drive forward the women’s health agenda to tackle the gender health gap ahead of the publication of our Women’s Health Strategy later this year."

Established to ensure coordination across the UK in terms of raising awareness of the menopause and improve care and support, the objectives of the taskforce are:-

► To ensure clinical evidence underpins all aspects of menopause work.

► To look across all the recommendations made to Government on the menopause accelerating the delivery of menopause related programmes of work across the UK.

► To identify areas of mutual interest and collaboration, share best practice and take forward actions where it is appropriate to take a joint approach across nations.

► To increase understanding of and encourage open conversations about the menopause among the general public, within healthcare settings, and in workplaces.

► To work closely with external stakeholder and raise awareness of the menopause in the workplace by encouraging open conversations

The formation of the taskforce forms part of the wider commitment to eradicate health disparities and ensure everyone is able to lead healthier, happier lives.

Co-chair of the UK Menopause Taskforce, Carolyn Harris MP said:- "I am delighted to be co-chair on the newly formed Menopause Taskforce alongside the Minister. Improving support and services for those experiencing symptoms of the menopause is something that I am passionate about. Insufficient education and awareness of its impact alongside historic taboos around openly discussing its symptoms has meant that for too long women have suffered and struggled to access the help that they need. The Taskforce will bring together Parliamentarians from across the UK as well professional bodies, menopause specialists and experts by experience to raise awareness of the issues and coordinate our response in order to improve support and services and ensure better menopause experiences for women in the future"

The inaugural meeting of the taskforce discussed key themes and focuses, shared objectives across all 4 nations, and the future ways of working. The taskforce seeks to draw on best practice across all nations, and will draw on workstreams including:- Scotland’s Women’s Health Plan, which prioritised the menopause.

It was agreed the taskforce will meet every 2 months, and future meetings will be scheduled by theme which will include:-

► Healthcare provision.

► Education and awareness.

► Menopause in the workplace.

► Research evidence and data.

Maree Todd, Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport, Scottish Government said:- "Menopause care and support is a top priority in our Women’s Health Plan, the 1st of its kind to be published in the UK. Women told us they wanted more reliable information and better services around what is an important transition in their lives, so they are not taken by surprise by any changes, either physically or mentally. We have already launched a new online menopause platform on NHS Inform, as the first phase in the development of a comprehensive women’s health platform. And we have set up a Menopause Specialists Network to provide advice and peer support to healthcare professionals. With more work yet to be done, I welcome the chance to work together with the other UK nations to share best practice on menopause and make a difference to the lives of so many women and their families."

Robin Swann, Minister of Health Northern Ireland Executive said:- "51% of the population in Northern Ireland is female so menopause is clearly a very significant topic for our society. I welcome the opportunity to explore a UK wide approach to cross cutting societal issues such as support in the workplace and education programmes for women at this time in their lives, and look forward to working with the other nations on this important women’s health issue."
 

Must see films to watch this Valentine’s Day

LOVE is in the air this February, and with an array of new romantic films and the return of some timeless classics, Vue has put together a list of must see films to watch on date night:-

► Cyrano is showing at Vue from 25 February 2022. The award winning Director, Joe Wright, takes movie goers on a journey filled with romance, music and beauty, as Cyrano de Bergerac, played by Peter Dinklage finds himself in a timeless love triangle. Expect lots of clever and ferocious wordplay alongside brilliant swordplay in this re-imagined romance story.

► The Royal Ballet's Romeo and Juliet is screening at Vue, on Valentine’s Day, 14 February 2022... This 20th Century ballet masterpiece takes a look at the experience of Shakespeare’s star crossed lovers, as 1st premiered in 1965, by Royal Ballet Director Kenneth MacMillan. This modern day screening is a must for fans of the classic and tragic love story.

► Dirty Dancing is showing at select Vue venues from 14 February 2022. Lean into the most romantic day of the year with 1 of cinema’s most iconic romantic films, in Dirty Dancing. Back on the big screen for Valentine’s Day, catch the Oscar-winning classic love story of Frances "Baby" Houseman falling in love with dance instructor Johnny Castle, at Catskills Resort.

► The classic, Ghost, staring Patrick Swayze, from 14 February 2022. This is another Oscar winning Valentine’s classic, in romantic fantasy thriller, Ghost. After being murdered at a young age, Swayze’s Sam Wheat roams the earth as a free spirit, with his only purpose to warn his lover of impending danger.

► Notting Hill also returns on Valentine’s Day, hitting the big screens, at select Vue venues, from 14 February 2022. A quintessentially English love story, that will diffidently entertain for fans and 1st timers alike. This love story of a simple bookshop owner whose life changes when he meets the most famous film star in the world is amongst the most loved romance films and there’s no better time to watch it.

► Marry Me is showing at Vue, from 11 February 2022. This is a true modern love story, Marry Me depicts an unlikely romance between 2 people searching for something real in a world where value is based on likes and followers. Packed with original songs by Jennifer Lopez and global Latin music star Maluma, Lopez stars as musical superstar Kat Valdex, who agrees to marry a total stranger in Charlie Gilbert played by Owen Wilson.

► Casablanca is showing at select Vue venues, from 11 February 2022. Set in unoccupied Africa during the early days of World War II, Casablanca sees Rick, a nightclub owner and American expatriate, meet a former lover with unforeseen complications. Vue celebrates the 80th anniversary of the 1942 American romantic drama by hosting the universally beloved film on the big screen this February. Watch Oscar winning performances from lead actor Humphrey Bogart and supporting actor Claude Rains in this timeless classic.

► Grease is showing at select Vue venues, from 4 February 2022. Reminisce on the summer of 1958 as classic musical comedy Grease arrives at Vue just in time for Valentine’s Day. Take a nostalgia trip to the past as the hormonally charged seniors of Rydell High return to the big screen with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John starring in their most iconic roles, Danny and Sandy.

For more information and tickets, visit:- MyVue.Com.