Agenda item

To consider the report from the Health Select Commission which summarises the findings and recommendations of the Health Select Commission Spotlight Review into the Menopause ahead of it’s submission to Cabinet.

The Chair and Members received a Spotlight Review on Menopause presented by Councillor Keenan on behalf of the Health Select Commission. Although originally commissioned as a workshop, the high level of engagement demonstrated the importance of the issue and the need for action; it was therefore progressed as a formal review to ensure contributions informed meaningful change.

The review identified menopause as a significant public health issue for Rotherham. Evidence indicated that up to 113,000 residents would experience symptoms during their lifetime, with around 35,000 experiencing severe impacts on daily life. These effects extended beyond physical health to mental wellbeing, family relationships and economic participation, affecting individuals, households, workplaces and communities across the borough.

It was consistently reported that awareness remained low and that information, advice and guidance were inconsistent and fragmented. As a result, many individuals did not recognise symptoms or know where to seek support, leading to delays and avoidable distress. Experiences of primary care varied, with inconsistencies in diagnosis, advice and treatment, and the link between menopause and mental health was not always recognised or addressed. Gaps in community provision and outreach were identified, particularly for underserved groups, alongside the importance of peer support. In the workplace, stigma and limited support were reported, with some individuals leaving employment. While examples of good practice were noted, activity was not yet sufficiently coordinated, consistent or visible to address the impacts of menopause and perimenopause.

The Commission developed recommendations to improve awareness, strengthen primary care, integrate mental health support, expand community provision and support employers. It also highlighted the need for stronger system leadership through a coordinated multi-agency approach, with the ambition of establishing Rotherham as a menopause-friendly borough.

The proposals aligned with the Council Plan by supporting residents to live well, promoting stability for children and young people, and contributing to an inclusive economy by reducing barriers to employment. The intended impact was both individual and systemic, improving quality of life while strengthening communities and economic resilience. Members were advised to note that a reference to paragraph 5 should instead refer to the recommendations section of the report.

The report was presented as a practical roadmap for change, reflecting the experiences of residents and partner commitment, and setting out how coordinated leadership and sustained effort could improve understanding and support for menopause. The report was commended to the Board.

The Governance Advisor, Kerry Grinsill-Clinton, endorsed the comments made by Councillor Keenan and formally noted sincere appreciation for the strong engagement from partners, including the voluntary and community sector, in the preparation of the report.

Councillor Yasseen expressed thanks to the Chair of the Health Select Commission for the significant work undertaken, noting that it remained an area requiring further attention. It was highlighted that women’s health continued to be overlooked, and that the focus on aspects of older women’s health was overdue. The report was welcomed; however, concern was raised regarding the limited ability of the review process to drive action, beyond setting out the case. It was suggested that greater urgency was needed in responding to the findings, and consideration was sought as to whether the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board could add value and provide additional support to help progress the outcomes identified in the report.

The Chair clarified that the report would be considered by Cabinet and Full Council, providing an opportunity for further influence. Thanks were extended to the Health Select Commission for its work, noting that the review demonstrated the effectiveness of scrutiny. It was emphasised that appropriate representation at Cabinet should be ensured so that the Board’s views were clearly conveyed, and that Members should also represent these views when the matter was considered at Full Council.

RESOLVED: That the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board (OSMB) endorsed the following recommendations:

1. That the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board (OSMB) noted the report.

2. That the recommendations listed below as approved by Health Select Commission, be submitted to Cabinet for consideration and response

Public Awareness and Information, Including Engaging Men and Young People:

a)    That the Council seeks to improve public awareness of perimenopause and menopause through:

i)      The establishment of a single, well?promoted online menopause resource on the RotherHive or another appropriate online medium, supported by printed information that can be accessed via relevant community settings accessible to the digitally excluded.

ii)     That bespoke targeted content aimed at men, young people and employers is included in that resource to ensure a holistic and borough wide approach to raising awareness.

iii)   That the Council works with education providers including schools and colleges to ensure that young people receive age-appropriate advice and guidance regarding the effects of the menopause and how to seek support if they or their loved ones are affected.

Primary Care Improvement:

b)    That the Council seeks to support Primary Care Improvement in relation to perimenopause and menopause through:

i)      Encouraging the adoption of a ‘Menopause Champion’ in every GP Practice in Rotherham and sharing information regarding GPs Menopause Champions once achieved.

ii)     Encouraging, via the ‘Menopause Champion’ GP network and in conjunction with the NHS Healthcare in the Community Agenda, Development of the Town Centre Health Hub and through collaborative work with TRFT, RDaSH and South Yorkshire ICB, the establishment of a clear and consistent menopause pathway, including consistent assessment tools and referral guidance.

iii)   Encouraging, through the ‘Menopause Champion’ GP network and collaborative work with TRFT, RDaSH and South Yorkshire ICB, the expansion of GP and practice staff training through Protected Learning Time and online modules to further support service delivery, consistency and capability to provide perimenopause and menopause care in Primary Care settings.

Mental Health Support:

c)    That the Council seeks to improve Mental Health Support during perimenopause and menopause by:

iv)   Encouraging health partners, including GPs to embed menopause screening questions within Talking Therapies and other mental health pathways.

v)    Increase the visibility of mental health support options within all menopause information, advice and guidance materials.

Community Support and Engagement:

d)    That the Council seeks to improve Community Support and Engagement during perimenopause and menopause by:

i)      Working with relevant Council Services, Health Partners and the Voluntary and Community Sector to expand menopause cafés and community information sessions across more venues.

ii)     Working with relevant Council Services, Health Partners and the Voluntary and Community Sector to further develop outreach support to minority ethnic communities, faith groups and groups with language barriers.

Workplace Health:

e)    That the Council seeks to improve Workplace Health in the context of perimenopause and menopause by:

i)      Producing and promoting a bespoke ‘Rotherham Menopause Workplace Toolkit’ setting out best practice, reasonable adjustments and support options for adoption by the Council and which can in be shared with employers across the borough to support ‘menopause positivity’, creating space for open conversations and contributing to reducing the number of women affected by perimenopause and menopause who leave the workforce.

ii)     Promoting workplace ‘Menopause Champions’ in local organisations and businesses, starting with RMBC as an exemplar employer

System Leadership:

f)      That the Council seeks to improve System Leadership in the context of perimenopause and menopause by:

i)      Utilising the connectivity of the Rotherham Women’s Health Network to support the drive for better perimenopause and menopause awareness and care across the borough.

ii)     Inviting partners who work with the Council as part of the Health and Wellbeing Board and Safer Rotherham partners, who comprise of some of the borough’s largest employers, to adopt workplace ‘Menopause Champions’ and to support a broader agenda of working towards making Rotherham a ‘Menopause Friendly Borough’.

iii)   Developing a shared muti?agency action plan with measurable outcomes in support of that aim, including considering inclusion of improvements in menopause information, advice and support in the Council’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

iv)   Working with relevant Council Services, Health Partners and the Voluntary and Community Sector to explore opportunities to secure sustainable long?term funding for menopause initiatives across Rotherham Place.

3.    Following submission to Cabinet, that those recommendations within the control and influence of external bodies, are shared with relevant health partners and commissioners for consideration and response.