Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has he made of the adequacy of the (a) diagnosis and (b) treatment of the menopause for BAME women in (i) Hounslow, (ii) West London and (iii) London.

The Government acknowledges the challenges women face in seeking a diagnosis and support for menopause symptoms and that these are especially acute amongst certain groups, including those from an ethnic minority background.

We are clear that more needs to be done to address these barriers, and that is why we announced earlier this year that menopause will be included in routine NHS Health Checks for those who are 40 years old and over, raising awareness of symptoms and giving women the confidence to seek help. To improve uptake of the NHS Health Check we have developed a new NHS Health Check online service, currently being piloted in multiple local authorities, which people can use at home, at a time convenient to them.

In North West London, our approach to menopause care is guided by the Women’s Health Strategy, which sets out a 10-year vision to improve access, tackle taboos, and ensure that ethnicity does not impact the quality of care. While menopause support is primarily delivered through primary care and specialist referral pathways, the strategy commits to reducing health inequalities by providing culturally appropriate information and improving awareness among underserved communities. We continue to work with local partners to address barriers such as stigma and language, and to ensure that women from all backgrounds, including Black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities, can access timely diagnosis and treatment.

The Government is committed to prioritising women’s health as we reform the National Health Service, and women’s equality will be at the heart of our missions, our 10-Year Health Plan, and the renewal of the Women’s Health Strategy.