NHS changes explained as women to get additional service
NHS Health Checks will soon include questions about menopause to assist women in seeking help for symptoms earlier
Women across England will soon benefit from menopause being incorporated into routine NHS appointments for the first time, thanks to a major update from the Department of Health and Social Care. Announced in October, these changes will include menopause-specific questions in the 'NHS Health Check' and are projected to help nearly five million people.
But what exactly is an 'NHS Health Check' and how do they work? The Mirror has now explained the changes in more depth below, while highlighting who might be eligible for an assessment. For further information, you can also head to the Government's website here.
What are NHS Health Checks?
While you might think NHS Health Checks are just regular GP appointments, they are actually free assessments of the heart and blood vessels.
These are currently aimed at informing people if they are at a higher risk of certain conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, or stroke. Anyone over 65 is informed about symptoms of dementia to watch for, as some types share similar risk factors with cardiovascular conditions.
Following the announcement, questions related to menopause will soon be incorporated, too, with their development planned for the upcoming months. These are being created with input from health experts who are accounting for how menopause differently impacts women.
Most women experience the transition between ages 45 and 55, though symptoms can begin earlier during perimenopause. Three-quarters of women experience symptoms, including but not limited to joint pain, hot flushes, weight gain, brain fog and memory issues. These can last an average of seven years and have a significant impact on daily life.
Despite this, fewer than one in 10 feel they have enough information to deal with it, according to the Department of Health and Social Care.
Who can get an NHS Health Check right now?
As of now, these health checks are available to people aged between 40 and 74 who do not have these pre-existing health issues:
- Transient ischaemic attack
- Inherited high cholesterol (familial hypercholesterolemia)
- Heart failure
- Peripheral arterial disease
- Stroke
- Currently being prescribed medicines such as statins to lower cholesterol
- Previous checks have found that you have a 20% or higher risk of getting cardiovascular disease over the next 10 years
- Heart disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Atrial fibrillation
Anyone diagnosed with the conditions listed above should already be offered regular check-ups. A care team will be able to provide further information on this.
Official NHS guidance adds: "If you're aged 40 to 74 and do not have a pre-existing health condition, you should be invited to an NHS Health Check by your GP or local council every 5 years.
"If you think you are eligible but have not been invited, contact your GP surgery to find out if they offer NHS Health Checks or contact your local council to find out where you can get an NHS Health Check in your area."
Currently, NHS Health Checks last around 20 to 30 minutes, although it's uncertain how this will be affected by the inclusion of menopause questions. Results are typically provided during the appointment or shortly afterwards. For more information, head to the NHS website.
In light of the changes, Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting also said in October: "Women have been suffering in silence for far too long and haven’t been encouraged to open up about the symptoms they’re experiencing.
"This often means they’re left to navigate menopause alone, with very little support - all because of an outdated health system that fails to acknowledge how serious it can be. No one should have to grit their teeth and just get on with what can be debilitating symptoms or be told that it’s simply part of life.
"This Government is overhauling women’s healthcare and giving those experiencing menopause and perimenopause the visibility and support they have long been asking for."