Government rejects five major recommendations in menopause report

The government has rejected five of the recommendations from the Women and Equalities Committee report on menopause including the recommendation to consult on making menopause a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 and pilot a specific menopause leave policy.

The Committee’s report, published in July 2022, argued that the overlooked impact of menopause is causing the UK economy to ‘haemorrhage talent’. It also argued that the current law does not sufficiently protect women experiencing menopause and does not offer proper redress to those who suffer menopause related discrimination, with evidence that many women have to demonstrate their menopausal symptoms amount to a disability to get redress.

Though the government said it has accepted, partly accepted or accepted in principle six of the recommendations, it comes under criticism from the Committee for not actually committing to any new work in response to the report.

National formulary specifically for HRT

One of the recommendations rejected by the government in it’s response was the Committee’s recommendation for a national formulary specifically for HRT.

GP, Menopause Specialist and Newson Health Clinical Director Dr Louise Newson said: “If I hadn’t received individualised menopause treatment I would have given up my job and a career I loved.

“The government says a specific HRT formulary isn’t needed because primary care clinicians can use the British National Formulary (BNF), but we know in reality many healthcare practitioners are unable to prescribe all medication listed in the BNF. Many GPs are referring women to menopause clinics as they are unable to prescribe testosterone in primary care (despite testosterone being recommended as a treatment by NICE to improve libido for women already taking HRT). Too many women are facing barriers to the care they need and deserve.

“The government also says it is committed to a menopause public health awareness campaign. But while awareness is already growing, treatment remains the stumbling block: what we need now is action to widen access to evidence-based treatment.”

Menopausal leave pilot

Ministers also rejected calls to introduce a menopause leave pilot and dismissed the recommendation to make menopause a protected characteristic under the Equality Act.

In a letter to Health Minister Maria Caulfield, the Chair of the Committee Caroline Nokes expressed concern that the government has “ignored the significant evidence base” for equality law reform and called on the government to review its position. The Committee also highlights the low cost but high impact opportunities for model workplace menopause policies and menopause leave, which the Government has dismissed.

In the letter, the Committee highlighted it was “extremely disappointing that the Menopause Taskforce has not met since prior to the summer recess, and that the industry roundtable on HRT supplies has been delayed a number of times.”

Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, Caroline Nokes MP, said: “This belated response to our report is a missed opportunity to protect vast numbers of talented and experienced women from leaving the workforce, and leaves me unconvinced that menopause is a government priority.

“For too long women have faced stigma, shame and dismissive attitudes when it comes to menopause. The evidence to our inquiry was crystal clear that urgent action was needed across healthcare and work settings to properly address women’s needs, yet government progress has been glacial and its response complacent. Its refusal to even consult on reforming equalities law doesn’t make sense and we urge it to look again.”