Menopause Revolution in Parliament

Labour MP Carolyn Harris continues to be a driving force in instigating menopause awareness and change across Parliament and was incidentally awarded Campaigner of the Year by The Spectator last month. She created an APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group) to tackle the lack of understanding around menopause amongst policymakers, the public and employers.

Following a successful private member’s Bill in Parliament on 29th October led by Carolyn, the Government committed to reducing the cost of HRT prescriptions in 2022, introduce a Menopause task force and make menopause a priority in the Women’s Health Strategy. She was pushing for a law to make the menopause treatment free in England, like in Scotland & Wales. The government would not go that far, but said women would only have to pay for the prescription once a year - saving up to £200 annually.

Many of us ‘Menopause Warriors’ joined her in Parliament Square afterwards with Davina McCall, Dr Louise Newson, Penny Lancaster, Mariella Frostrup & Diane Danzebrink. As Davina rightly said “it isn’t a political matter, it’s a women’s matter and everyone came together today to make this happen.”

The Government Taskforce co-chaired by Carolyn Harris and Minister for Women’s Health, Maria Caulfield, will consider how medical school & GP education and training, workplace polices & guidelines, and peer groups could improve support for women, as well as introducing menopause education to secondary schools.

In an emotional statement, Carolyn added “What has happened today is only the beginning, I know, but we can do such great things together because that’s what it is all about - looking after wonderful women. The menopause revolution is making a big difference.”

Let’s continue to make the menopause revolution happen!