Aisling Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

158. To ask the Minister for Health her plans to increase the network of menopause clinics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24156/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There is currently one specialist menopause clinic in each of our six maternity networks. These clinics provide treatment for women who require complex, specialist care in menopause. The clinics are based in the National Maternity Hospital, Nenagh General Hospital, the Rotunda, the Coombe, University Hospital Galway and Cork University Maternity Hospital.

Most women seeking menopause treatment can be effectively supported within primary care by their GP. A proportion of symptomatic women will require specialist medical expertise. These women can be referred for treatment to a specialist menopause clinic.

Existing menopause services are being expanded this year. An additional 2.8 whole time equivalent staff will be resourced across the network. This resource will extend opening hours across four clinics. It is expected that this expansion will increase capacity by up to 2,000 new appointments per annum.

There were 1,165 women on the specialist menopause service waiting list in December 2024. On average, 89% of women waited less than six months for an appointment between July and December 2024. The National Women & Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) is currently reviewing the service across the six sites to determine whether existing capacity will meet the future needs of the service.

There is currently one specialist menopause clinic in each of our maternity networks. These clinics provide treatment for women who require complex, specialist care in menopause. The clinics are based in the National Maternity Hospital, Nenagh General Hospital, the Rotunda, the Coombe, University Hospital Galway and Cork University Maternity Hospital.

Most women seeking treatment can be effectively supported within primary care by their GP. A proportion of symptomatic women will require specialist medical expertise. These women can be referred for treatment to a specialist menopause clinic.

An expansion of the existing menopause service is being provided this year. An additional 2.8 whole time equivalent staff will be resourced across the network. This resource will extend opening hours across four clinics. It is expected that capacity will increase by 2,000 new appointments per annum.

There were 1,165 women on the specialist menopause service waiting list in December 2024. On average, 89% of women waited less than six months between July and December 2024. The National Women & Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) is currently reviewing the service across the six sites to determine whether existing funded capacity will meet future needs of the service.