Menopause clinic set up by PCN

A Derbyshire PCN has set up a menopause clinic for patients of its GP practices to improve access and support for women in the area.

Belper PCN set up the clinic in March 2023 as part of an enhanced access service in which additional out-of-hours clinics are run from two surgeries.

The PCN set up the clinic, which runs on Thursday evenings and Saturdays at one of the practices, after it recognised a need for increased capacity and flexibility in appointment time for menopausal women.

Appointments for menopause can take up to 30 minutes for a detailed face-to-face consultation and, in addition, many women of this age group had difficulty attending daytime appointments because of work.

To set up the service, the PCN identified clinicians who already had a speciality in menopause and could offer tailored advice and treatment, with the ability to signpost patients to trusted organisations and forums.

The clinics are mostly held by an advanced nurse practitioner and a nurse prescriber, though they can draw on a wider range of clinicians, such as GPs, pharmacists and mental health practitioners.  

Amy Armiger, trainee advanced clinical practitioner and lead nurse at Appletree Medical Practice, said patients had given ‘very positive feedback’ on the menopause clinic.

‘With longer time appointments, we are able to offer a more holistic approach and informed conversations. This involves more than HRT – non-hormonal options, lifestyle and wellbeing,’ she said. 

The clinicians can prescribe, refer and request further investigations via the patient’s GP surgery. The service includes follow-up appointments, and the treatment plans are communicated to the patient’s practice.

Armiger added that the service had also been popular with staff: ‘With this additional time and focus, it is much more rewarding as a clinician to be able to provide that full service.’

The PCN has also taken steps to support its own workforce by establishing menopause champions at each practice led by clinicians.

Belper PCN is a collaboration of four GP practices in the Amber Valley area of Derbyshire – Appletree Medical Practice, Arthur Medical Centre, Riversdale Surgery and Whitemoor Medical Centre.