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Clinical director of Knowsley Central and South PCN Dr Victoria Hoyle, a GP with a special interest in women’s health, outlines five tips for PCNs and practices to help with new guidance on managing menopause at work
New guidance on managing menopause in the workplace was published in February by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. It outlines employer’s legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the need for ‘reasonable adjustments’.
It also highlights research which shows one in ten women surveyed, who have worked during the menopause, have left their jobs due to symptoms, while two thirds of working women between the ages of 40 and 60 with experience of menopausal symptoms said that they have had a ‘mostly negative’ impact on them at work.
Women make up 75% of the NHS workforce and research has shown the 10% of women have had to give up work or reduce their hours due to menopausal symptoms. As PCNs and practices it is essential that we give consideration to the new guidance in order to support our teams. Failure to comply could result in claims arising for disability discrimination. There are some easy steps that we can take to do ensure we are not only compliant but excel;
In summary, the new guidance shouldn’t be viewed as another laborious policy that we have to comply with. Instead, we can view this as an opportunity to support and empower women. If we can create a workforce and a future where we are not losing highly skilled and experienced team members due to menopause then the benefits are going to be felt at every level across practices and PCNs, including delivering a better level of service to our patients.
Dr Victoria Hoyle is Clinical Director, Knowsley Central and South PCN and GP Partner with a special interest in women’s health at The Hollies Medical Centre, Halewood, Liverpool
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