Rachel Scanlan

Wife, mother, midwife. BA(Hons) RM MSc. Citizen not subject. Maternity Investigator with MNSI. Psychotherapeutic Counsellor in training. Views are my own.

[Alexander Heazell @MCR_SB_Research]

We're asking for parents who've had a PMRT review or MNSI investigation at any time after January 1st 2019 to use your voice to change care. We have developed a survey to capture parents' views and experiences of these processes. The survey is here - https://t.co/gbVSMc1YCg

[Dr Louise Newson @drlouisenewson]

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

[Rachel Scanlan @rgscanlan]

@nicthevic Could be worse!

[Rachel Scanlan @rgscanlan]

'Don’t hide your racism behind your insatiable appetite for marmalade.'

[Rachel Scanlan @rgscanlan]

@D_DancerMidwife @FNightingaleF @LucyBrownFNF @rowleyamanda3 @ChiefNursePHT @bsummerhayes @MidwifeFrankie You are so amazing Dionne. Well done! Fabulous 🤩

[Rachel Scanlan @rgscanlan]

'As the mother, I was arguably the most invested in the health and safety of the baby. But in the eyes of some health professionals I encountered, being a ‘risky body’ removed my capacity to make decisions – they knew better than I did.' https://t.co/J6m4xxyRcA

[Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) @theHSSIB]

🆕Report out today. Despite national guidance, risk assessments in maternity remain a significant challenge. Our report examines HSIB maternity investigations from 2019-2022 and flags the theme of 'incomplete risk assessment'. https://t.co/jabDefknfo #NHS #SaferMaternity

[Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) @theHSSIB]

Our third interim bulletin for this investigation has just gone live on our website, with a safety recommendation made to @NHSEngland around #NHS staff health and wellbeing https://t.co/AsiW5f0ODR #PatientSafety

[Chris Shutt Music @ChrisMusicShutt]

Attention all! My new album, Starlight, is out today. Immerse yourself in a world of enchantment and wonder. Check out the links below to listen to Starlight and experience the magic for yourself!

https://t.co/nSZdi1zkVt

#Starlight #NewAlbum #LightFantasy #Enchantment

[Anthony Nolan @AnthonyNolan]

🚨URGENT - Please Share 🚨
Janice is desperately searching for her matching stem cell donor.
56 year old mum-of-two Janice was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia and needs a stem cell donor to give her a second chance of life.

[Rachel Scanlan @rgscanlan]

@nicthevic Oh no!! Hope it's mild.

[Rachel Scanlan @rgscanlan]

In case you were thinking that private maternity care was the safest way forwards...

[Eric Topol @EricTopol]

Worst maternal and infant mortality

[Rachel Scanlan @rgscanlan]

@BridSamaritans good way to share the stats and the work. What do you think?

[Horsham & Crawley Samaritans @handcsams]

During the month of December the volunteers in our branch took 1,305 phone calls,155 emails & 11 web chats from callers who needed to talk. December can be a difficult time for some, so thank you to each one of you who gave up time to be there for these callers 💚 @samaritans

[Rachel Scanlan @rgscanlan]

@nicthevic Sad times

[Samaritans @samaritans]

3 big reasons why Blue Monday can get in the bin 🗑 👇 1/3

[Samaritans @samaritans]

We see Blue Monday trending every year, and we’ve had enough – because it’s a total myth!

Help us mark #BrewMonday instead – we’re on a mission to get the trending top spot, and we can’t do it without you. Tune in tomorrow morning to find out more 💚

[Rachel Scanlan @rgscanlan]

@jonskewes Indeed there is, in fact pretty much anything else on a bagel is nicer 🤮

[Bridlington Samaritans @BridSamaritans]

This is a hard fact but one that needs sharing. Every 90 minutes someone dies by suicide. Talking can encourage people to break the silence. If you are in a dark place please reach out & call 116 123. If your worried about someone, try find a way to talk to them.
@BridSamaritans

[Rachel Scanlan @rgscanlan]

@consideredview This sounds very frightening Janet...I hope you are ok now. Sending you lots of love x

[Jim Thornton @jimgthornton]

Wise words from Shakila at Mark Kilby's retirement bash. Especially in developing countries. OBs have gone from doing "too few caesareans too late", to doing "too many too early". As a result women are dying.