Parliamentary.ai

Overview

This bill aims to improve menopause support and services across the UK. Key features include making hormone replacement therapy (HRT) free on the NHS in England and creating a UK-wide strategy for better menopause care.

Description

This bill has two main parts:

Part 1: Free HRT in England: This section makes HRT free of charge on the NHS in England. This means women will no longer have to pay prescription fees for HRT.

Part 2: UK-wide Menopause Strategy: This part mandates the creation of a comprehensive UK-wide strategy within one year of the bill's enactment. This strategy will address several key areas including:

• Educating young people about the menopause.
• Public awareness campaigns to improve understanding of the menopause and its effects.
• Improved training for GPs and medical schools on diagnosing and treating menopause symptoms.
• Better information for GPs on HRT and other treatments.
• Supporting workplace policies that help women continue working during menopause, such as flexible hours.
• Promoting peer support groups for women going through menopause.

The Secretary of State must consult with devolved administrations (Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland) when developing this strategy. The bill's provisions concerning HRT apply only to England and Wales.

Government Spending

The bill will likely increase government spending due to the cost of providing free HRT in England. Exact figures are not specified in the bill itself, but a substantial cost is expected based on the number of women using HRT.

Groups Affected

• Women experiencing menopause: This bill aims to provide direct benefits through cheaper or free HRT and improved access to support and information.
• Healthcare professionals: GPs and other healthcare professionals will see increased responsibilities concerning menopause care and might benefit from further training opportunities.
• Employers: Employers will likely be encouraged to adopt more supportive workplace policies in response to the bill’s recommendations.
• UK Government: This group will incur increased financial costs related to free HRT in England and the development and implementation of the national strategy.