Q. What qualifications do you have to provide menopause advice?
A. Following publication of NICE guidance 2015, the British Menopause Society has described a menopause specialist as a healthcare professional who has obtained the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH)/British Menopause Society (BMS) advanced. This qualification requires three yearly revalidation to ensure skills and knowledge remain current. I have provided independent Menopause clinics since 2012.
Q. Do I need a referral from my GP?
A. No, you can make an appointment without a referral letter. A detailed health history will be taken during your initial consultation. Occasionally, if your health history is complex (post cancer for example) information might be required from your GP.
Q. Will I get prescriptions straight away?
I can either prescribe privately or liaise with your GP and ask them to commence an NHS prescription. Some women decide to take a first prescription privately, which is often a quicker option when getting started, and then have NHS prescriptions going forward. However, some products are only available on private prescription, and will need to be prescribed through Menopause Expert long-term. I do not receive commission from any prescriptions I write.
Medications prescribed privately can cost varying amounts at different chemists. An agreement has been made with an online pharmacy to ensure competitive pricing and a quick convenient delivery service: The Independent Pharmacy is a leading UK online pharmacy, run by an experienced team of healthcare professionals. The Independent Pharmacy hold a good range of products, and can advise about suitable alternatives if your particular prescription is unavailable.
Prescriptions are emailed directly to them after each clinic; so it can often be quicker to use The Independent Pharmacy if you are in a rush to get your medication the next day. Alternatively, correspondence can be sent to your GP requesting that they commence an NHS prescription.
Private prescription costs
Costs for a month's supply of HRT will vary depending on the type of medication prescribed, but is generally around £14 per item. In addition, a prescription dispensing fee of £30 will be charged for each prescription, regardless of the number of items on the prescription.
I do not receive commission from any prescriptions I write.
You can directly access The Independent Pharmacy/Menopause Expert portal here and check current medication prices.
Call The Independent Pharmacy on 0333 2200519, email
Q. Will my medical insurance cover my consultation?
A. Menopause care is not usually covered by medical insurance, however, some insurers will cover initial consultation costs. Please check with your insurance provider before arranging an appointment.
Q. What is "WriteUpp"?
A. WriteUpp is a secure NHS approved and GDPR compliant medical documentation system. All personal information is safely stored in cloud based format. Secure electronic payments can also be made through WriteUpp. For more information visit writeupp.com
Q. Will I need blood tests?
Generally, no. In accordance with NICE menopause guidance, most women do not require blood tests to diagnose menopause. Occasionally blood tests are useful – for younger women for example, or for women not achieving good symptom control - to check absorption. Women taking testosterone supplementation may require a blood test before commencing, or during treatment. Wherever possible I encourage NHS investigations. If necessary, private blood tests can be arranged directly by the client.
