Fiona McKay joins The Menopause Rally at The Houses of Parliament
18 October 2022 is a significant day as it’s World Menopause Day. So it was the perfect day for the Menopause Mandate rally which took place outside The Houses of Parliament.
I was delighted to be invited to join the voices of the main campaigners and UK celebrities, including Lisa Snowdon, Ateh Jewel, Penny Lancaster, Carol Vorderman, Mariella Frostrup, Dr Naomi Potter, Cherry Healy and Michelle Griffith Robinson and together, our objective was to make our voices heard about the ongoing disgraceful state of affairs for women in menopause. This includes access to HRT, improved GP education, the rising delay in wait to see a gynaecologist, - which currently stands at 12 months in England, and the radical requirements to change culture and ways of working to accommodate and retain female talent in the workplace.
Are things changing for menopausal women?
Yes and no.
But speaking to women across the day, the cost of living crisis is one of the main areas of concern. Let’s not forget that women in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland don’t pay for HRT prescriptions. I met with young women, many in their early thirties who are unable to return to work after hysterectomy owning to the challenge of accessing the correct HRT and finding a GP who get’s it. This is putting enormous economic challenges on households and these women are not getting the support they need to earn and income and be actively participating in the workforce. Having had a total abdominal hysterectomy 8 years ago and I know all too well their feelings of total despair.
Fiona McKay and Carolyn Harris MP
MP Carolyn Harris leading the way on major menopause legislative change
Last year on the very same day I stood with my fellow campaigners to back Carolyn Harris MP who was successful that day in getting an all party members bill through Parliament to get a single prescription fee for women in England that would then cover their HRT medications for the whole of the year. Not the same as our sisters across the other parts of the UK, but still a good result.
Such was the euphoria of success and change, Maria Caulfied, the then Minister for Primary Care also came and joined our photo call.
Then Sajid Javid became Health Minister and delayed the implementation of that Bill until April 2023. A direct act of deprioritising women’s health care..
So we found ourselves back 12 months later making the same noises but this year things are different. The work that we have all been involved in to raise the issues that menopause brings across every aspect of social policy in our country is now much more front of mind.
I will continue to use my voice to actively bring equitable change for women in the workplace and thank you for all your continued support. I also actively want to hear your experiences so I can continue to campaign on the issues that matter the most to you, especially workplace issues. Please do email me over your thoughts and experiences.
And the Police decided to turn out in force to ‘manage’ our demonstration. They know, never underestimate a group of mid-life menopausal women. We are a force to be reconned with!
How can I help you?
I work personally with women who want to improve their career health, grow the companies they lead and keep the companies they founded through menopause. I do that with my online NOPAUSE™ group coaching programme for high profile and high performing leading women, and for those who want to work with me exclusively I coach also work with leading women too. Apply to work with me directly here.
And through my Menopause Maze programme, my team work with companies to help them:
Retain the careers of their top female talent
Drives a data driven programme that boosts your wellbeing offerings
Training of Menopause Champions
Line Manager development
Delivers evidence based menopause development outcomes
