Excited to be running a session as part of the #IWD21 celebrations entitled - "When I grow up I want to be a ballerina", focusing on women’s Identity formation and it’s relation to gender bias, and how we can become the change. It's at 11:25-12:10. #EverdayCourage#OurNHSPeople
Updated NICE menopause guidelines published today.
While it’s welcome to see HRT as the preferred treatment for the menopause, this is a disappointing update overall. The focus remains primarily on vasomotor symptoms – hot flushes and night sweats – which are, for many women, not the main symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Most women experience brain symptoms – brain fog, low mood, anxiety, poor concentration, sleep disturbances, memory problems and fatigue – and these are things we know are unlikely to be alleviated in the long term by CBT, as suggested.
The guidelines also do not differentiate between older, synthetic HRT and the natural (body identical) hormones now more commonly prescribed – while the word “risk” is mentioned three times as often than the word “benefit”, these newer forms offer more benefit than risks.
The true risk comes in NOT taking HRT at all, with good quality evidence showing that low hormones during menopause increases the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, dementia, neurodegenerative diseases, clincial depression, autoimmune diseases and an earlier death. These diseases reduce in women taking hormones and life expectancy increases.
Women deserve to be fully informed and involved at every step of their healthcare consultation to make an informed decision on the right treatment or combination of treatments for them. While we have seen a rise in recent years in access to evidence-based treatments like HRT, a postcode lottery still exists, particularly for those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Too many women are still struggling to receive HRT, and these guidelines will be confusing for both healthcare professionals and women.
Perimenopause and menopause is sorely under-researched and under-funded, and this must change. In the meantime, women deserve to have a choice, and those who want to take HRT should be able to have it prescribed. That HRT is now the frontline treatment is refreshing, but future documents and consultations must go further to ensure women get the treatment they deserve.
https://t.co/9tut2nB1SO
Today we're celebrating our wonderful AHPs on National Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) Day.
As the third largest workforce in the NHS, AHPs make a valuable contribution to high quality care and better outcomes for patients.
Thank you to all our AHPs 💙
Fantastic service today from pharmacy staff @NNUH and @SamHigginson12. IT issues, but made patients & staff who were waiting feel cared for and valued. No wonder some of their recent feedback from patients includes: friendly, informative and confident #compassionatepharmacyteam
@KateBurkeNHS @AmandaPritchard Happy to volunteer too - if we look at how much individual Trusts have achieved already with limited funding we could make a real impact
Happy Healthcare Support Workers Day to all the incredible HCSWs!
Today, let's celebrate YOU.
Thank you.
Your commitment and impact to people’s lives don’t go unnoticed
#WeAreHCSWs#LondonHCSW#HCSWDay#NursingSupportWorkersDay
You never need to “just man up”.
It’s #MensHealthWeek and we’re here to remind you it’s okay to reach out. You’re no less of a man by opening up ✊🏾
Big thanks to https://t.co/J8gPmp07FN.diaries for this important illustration 🤍
Fantastic experience at @NNUH today when youngest daughter ended up visiting ED with a fractured ankle. A huge thanks to all the staff from The Front Door through to the fab Nicola in Children ED. Thanks to all on what is an incredibly challenging week :)
@HelenAshby72 I think Dave’s T-Shirt should be altered to “what a difference a Dave and his Mum makes”….so glad to see he was finally included, and love his dancing energy :) Well done Dave!
Our midwives @maternity_team @KingstonHospNHS don’t just work with us, they chose to birth their babies with us. Congratulations to LizAnne, our risk midwife and her husband, on the arrival of their daughter Alexia, our first baby born in 2023 💕
@SamHigginson12 Getting there - would have been a lot worse without the staff on shift - he said the Xmas spirit despite the pressures was high and he may even have had a cheeky minced pie ;)
@SamHigginson12 A huge thank you to all the ED and Radiology staff for looking after my husband on Xmas Eve/Xmas Day after a large fall from a ladder. He was in and out within 14 hours, said the staff were fantastic keeping everyone’s spirits up :)