Commissioning for menopause specialist services: A local perspective: An internet-based survey to assess the potential demand for menopause care in West Cheshire and the skills of local primary care clinicians in this field, with a view to informing future commissioning locally.
OBJECTIVE
This study explores the perceived volume of women affected by peri- or post-menopausal issues that present to primary care clinicians in West Cheshire, plus the self-reported confidence of those clinicians in managing the menopause, and whether or not they feel that they and their patients should have access to a specialist menopause service.


METHODS
Completion of an electronic survey.


METHODS
General practitioners and practice nurses working in West Cheshire.


METHODS
To provide evidence for future local commissioning of menopause services.


RESULTS
Ninety-one clinicians working within West Cheshire were sent an email request to complete the survey with 53 responses received (58%). The majority were general practitioners and were within the 35-54 year age range. The majority perceived that, each week in their clinical practice, they see between one and eight women who are affected by peri- or post-menopausal symptoms. Regarding their self-reported skills and knowledge in managing the menopause, almost half felt they had 'good' knowledge but 'recognised (they) had learning needs'. Seven of the 53 (13%) felt their skills were 'not good'. Two-thirds of those clinicians who completed the survey felt that they and their patients should have access to a specialist menopause service locally.


CONCLUSIONS
In the area covered by West Cheshire clinical commissioning group, there is no currently commissioned menopause service. This study has demonstrated that a substantial number of women present each week to clinicians working in this area who are felt to have peri- or post-menopausal symptoms. The clinicians have self-reported learning needs. Qualitative data from the survey would suggest training can be difficult to access. There is a clear need, both ethically and medically, for the commissioning of a West Cheshire specialist menopause service, with the proposed model being an integrated and holistic care model. Menopause care, and post-reproductive healthcare generally, provides an opportunity for collaboration and partnership working within an outcomes-based commissioning model. This study could be reviewed and replicated in other areas for comparison.
Western Avenue Medical Centre, Blacon, Chester, UK janewilkinson2@nhs.net.
Jane F
JF
Wilkinson
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, Bury St Edmonds, UK.
Hannah L
HL
Short
Health and Safety Executive, Bootle, Merseyside, UK.
Sam
S
Wilkinson
Appollonia House Health Care, Oldham, Lancs, UK.
Anthony
A
Mander
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002391:Catchment Area, Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000592:standards; D047648:Perimenopause; D017698:Postmenopause; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D020377:Self Efficacy
Menopause; West Cheshire clinical commissioning group; postmenopause