Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly confirmed to Senator Fiona O’Loughlin that his department will be establishing a Specialist Menopause clinic at the National Maternity Hospital Dublin. This will be the first of its kind in Ireland and will provide specialist guidance and advice.
The clinic is due to open this year, and it is expected that additional regional clinics will be delivered in 2022.
Chair of the Parliamentary Women’s caucus and Chair of the Fianna Fail women’s network Senator Fiona O’Loughlin said, “I brought the issue of menopause to the Senate’s attention in the last session and we discussed the significant issues women were facing in accessing the appropriate healthcare so I am pleased to see the Minister listening to the calls made, and responding appropriately”
“Women generally live one third of their lives post menopause. The quality of that third of their lives very much depends on the support and treatments they receive during the menopause- with 80% of women have a difficult menopause.”
“In the past women have been denied treatment and given incorrect treatment. We need to change that for women who will go through the menopause in future, and the clinic announced by Minister Donnelly is a huge step in the right direction for women. This will be a vital service, and one that we have needed for some time.”
Fiona concluded “I want to commend Minister Donnelly for his commitment to this issue, and for tackling it head on. I look forward to continuing to work him to further improve women’s access to vital female specific healthcare”