Mayo welcome for establishment of dedicated specialist menopausal clinic

A Mayo Oireachtas member has welcomed the establishment of a dedicated specialist menopausal clinic at the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin.

Senator Lisa Chambers said: “The clinic, due to open this year, will be the first of its kind within the public hospital system and will provide specialist medical advice and support.

“I expect it will be the first of many with additional regional clinics in 2022, as this is an area that has not received anywhere close to the attention it deserves.

“The clinic will be multidisciplinary supported by GPs with a certified special interest in the area of menopause and clinical nurse/midwife specialists.

“The government is also funding enhanced perinatal mental health support by creating additional clinical midwife specialist posts in Dublin, Cork and Limerick plus a medical consultant for our Saolta Hospital Group in the west.

“Perinatal mental health disorders are experienced during a pregnancy or soon after birth, it is crucial that we do all we can to help women during such a difficult time.

“The government is also funding the development and delivery of training in Long-Acting Reversible Contraception to 45 GP Trainees and 50 postgraduate GPs per year to increase access to contraception.

“We have already funded a range of new initiatives this year including the creation and expansion across nine see and treat gynaecology clinics, the establishment of two regional fertility hubs in Nenagh and Galway, an additional 24 lactation consultants and an expansion of the Endometriosis service at Tallaght University Hospital, something I fought extremely hard for to get over the line.

“The creation of a Clinical General Practice lead post for Women’s Health was announced earlier this year.

"I worked closely with the Irish College of General Practitioners over a number of months and was very happy to bring forward this proposal to Minister Stephen Donnelly and receive his full support for the post.

“We have also fully funded our maternity strategy this year. The Minister has made it clear that women’s health is a priority for him and I am delighted to be able to work so closely with him to make the necessary improvements in women’s health,” she added.