Women experiencing severe or complex menopause symptoms now have improved access to additional support following the establishment of Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District’s (NBMLHD) new menopause referral service. 

The bulk billed service aims to provide help for women whose symptoms have not responded to previous treatments, or those women who face additional complications from other medical conditions.  

Established as part of NSW Health’s menopause network - which has four hubs and multiple referral sites across the state - it is networked with the South-Western Sydney LHD hub.  

Two Springwood-based care coordinators will assist with triage and navigate care locally, supporting the medically-led, multi-disciplinary hub team of nursing and allied health professionals to provide holistic support.  

The service can be virtual or face-to-face and part of the program involves upskilling local general practitioners [GPs]. 

GPs, specialists, and nurse practitioners can refer eligible women for advanced care, or women can contact the service directly by emailing [email protected]. The service can refer on for virtual care to specialists such as endocrinologists, gynaecologists, haematologists, etc. 

The service opened in April. Earlier this month 20 women had already contacted them for help and another six have been referred by local doctors.  

The women are being seen at the Springwood Community Health Centre at 288-292 Macquarie Road. The appointments can take about an hour for a thorough medical history. 

Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle said she was delighted this much needed resource was now up and running. She said it was a significant step forward to give women the specialised care they deserve. 

“Every woman’s experience of menopause is different, and this service will ensure women get the help they need to manage severe or complex symptoms. 

“Up to one in four women endure severe and debilitating menopause symptoms, which is why services like this one are so important.” 

Ms Doyle said when she experienced early perimenopausal symptoms one doctor told her it was “really just a normal experience for women”.  

BMLHD Menopause Service co-coordinator Holly Miller said: the  

ability to escalate to multidisciplinary virtual care through the networked Specialist Menopause Service ensures access to a wider range of specialists. 

"Through the service, we’re building a supportive community where women feel comfortable discussing their experiences and accessing the care they need.” 

Mrs Miller, a clinical nurse consultant and women's health specialist, said the average age of menopause is 51.  

“It’s normal to reach menopause between the ages of 45 and 55 years, but some reach menopause earlier or later than this.” 

Symptoms can include hot flushes, sweats, a change in mood, insomnia, pain with intercourse, occasionally urinary incontinence, extreme fatigue, and many more symptoms, due to hormonal changes. 

Her fellow co-coordinator Laura O’Flynn, a pelvic floor physiotherapist, said some clients have wept with relief after their hour-long, bulk billed appointment. Other patients have said brain fog had held them back from career progression. 

“We’ve had many women say they have not gone for workplace promotion because they can’t find the words. Their cognitive function has declined due to their menopause symptoms including brain fog, fatigue and insomnia,” Ms O’Flynn said. 

“Women think menopause might be just hot flushes and sweats. They don’t realise there are these other symptoms.” 

Minister for Health Ryan Park said: 

“This Specialised Menopause Referral Service will promote flexibility and choice in the way women in the Nepean Blue Mountains region access support to manage severe menopause symptoms. 

“By continuing to break down barriers like geographic isolation through effective use of virtual care technology, this service will help us continue to improve health outcomes in the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District.”  

Services at Springwood Community Health Centre also include: 

• Child and Family Health Nursing – Immunisation Clinic/Developmental Checks/Universal Home Health Home Visits
• Aboriginal Health Worker • Audiometry Nursing - Hearing Assessments
• WHIN Nursing (Wellbeing In-Reach Health Nurse)
• Child and Family Health Speech Therapy
• Child and Family Health Occupational Therapy
• Child and Family Health Social Work
• Child and Family Health Psychosocial
• Wound Clinic
• Physiotherapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Continence services
• Social Work
• Transitional Aged Care Program (TACP)  • Social Work
• Integrated Respiratory Care Team (IRCT)
• Mental Health Services/Clozapine Clinic
• Podiatry
• Drug and Alcohol Services
• Regional Assessment Service (RAS)
• Orthoptist (eye disorders) Clinic.

Media: Brenda Cunningham-Lewis (02) 4751 3298 [email protected]  (Wednesday, Thursday, Fridays)