The clinic aims to improve menopause care for women with complex menopausal symptoms
The National Maternity Hospital is delighted to announce that the specialist Complex Menopause Clinic supported by funding from the Department of Health and HSE's National Women & Infants Health Programme is open and seeing patients. The service is dedicated to helping patients with serious medical conditions to manage their menopausal symptoms.
The Clinic is the first of four publicly funded specialist Menopause Clinics in Ireland and is staffed by GP Menopause Specialists, a full-time Nurse Specialist and an administrative team.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said, "The opening of this first dedicated menopause clinic is such an important milestone in the long-overdue women's health revolution in Ireland. We know that menopause impacts the personal and professional lives of many women in this country, and we are building a health service that will empower and support women through it. This is the first clinic of four; a further three specialist clinics will be approved, funded and developed in 2022. Women's Health is a priority for me and for this government and I am excited for the future of women's health in Ireland as we look ahead to the launch the Women's Health Action Plan 2022 in the coming weeks."
Mary Brosnan, Director of Midwifery and Nursing at The NMH said, “This is a great stride forward for women’s health. We are delighted to have this dedicated, specialist clinic at The NMH. As a woman, a midwife and nurse, I am acutely aware of how challenging the symptoms of menopause can be and of the life-changing benefits evidence based treatment can give."
Dr Deirdre Lundy, specialist in Women’s Health and menopause said, “I am delighted to be leading the menopause specialist clinic in The NMH. Most patients, who are troubled by menopause symptoms, are able to receive advice and treatment in the community through their GP, Practice Nurse or Family Planning Clinic. Unfortunately, patients with certain medical conditions including thrombosis, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, hormone sensitive cancers, etc. are advised to be seen by a “Menopause Specialist” to discuss management options, we are now that Complex Menopause Service.”
Dr Lundy continued, “Appointments can only be offered to suitable patients via GP referral. If you suffer from any of the above conditions and are a potential patient, please attend your GP first to see if you are eligible for referral.”
Initially, the clinic will care for patients living in counties Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare with the intention of expanding to include Ireland East in the near future. The first of an intended four publicly funded specialist Menopause Clinics. it is planned that a further three specialist clinics will be approved, funded and developed in 2022.
For further information, please visit www.nmh.ie