Debs Crelly has worked within the NHS for nearly 30 years in various roles. Managing General Medicine throughout the pandemic cemented Debs’ passion for supporting staff in the workplace. Debs founded a menopause support group called MyPause which led to a new role as Health and Wellbeing Lead for Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care System. Debs is about to move on to a new role as Health and Wellbeing Lead for East of England Ambulance Service.

Working for the NHS has always been a highly pressured role. As a manager working in operations, it’s far more than the perceived ‘pen pushing’, including taking part in one or two on-call rotas overnight and weekends - the role has many challenges. So suddenly experiencing quite severe menopause symptoms was neither expected, welcome or helpful!

Of the two incredible matriarchal figures in my family, neither suffered menopause symptoms - my Mum due to severe endometriosis and my aunt because she was a formidable character (who I adored), but would not give it any truck.

So I turned to my work colleagues for support. I made a cake as a form of bribery and suggested that those suffering similar symptoms meet for a coffee. This small group of 15 or so lovely ladies has now become a network of over 500! Not because of anything groundbreaking that I have done (one cake is my limit), but through sheer need.

I was amazed to discover the huge number of symptoms that women may suffer (between 34 – 38), that a quarter of women struggle with the ability to cope with life as a result, and many give up working and lose their confidence. Menopause is not just hot flushes! In fact, the symptoms that most women suffer initially are anxiety and sleeplessness, and it’s these that generally lead us to our GPs in search of support.

This realisation of just how debilitating the menopause can be was before the Davina McCall programmes. In 2019 it felt like menopause was still a taboo subject. ‘Ladies problems’ were something discussed between ladies, TV adverts regarding period products were subtle to the point of depicting ice skating and jogging rather than the ‘you know what’s that go you know where’. So when I talked in meetings about a network to support menopausal women, it was met with sniggers (which you certainly and rightly wouldn’t hear in response to an LGBTQIA+ network or a BAME network).

When I asked if I could post something on the Trust’s social media pages to promote the network, the male communications lead said no, as women would ‘find it embarrassing’- presumably I needed to wait until the gentleman retired to the drawing room to drink port.

It has become far easier more recently with the increased social media coverage and the Davina programmes, but also fantastic menopause warriors like Carolyn Harris, the Welsh MP who co-chairs the national menopause task force. Carolyn was instrumental in introducing the pre-payment certificate, reducing the cost of HRT for women. I have had the pleasure of meeting Carolyn twice over Teams and she has spoken to the MyPause network. I’m not impressed by Love Island type celebrities but people like Carolyn do impress me (it’s the closest I’ve come to curtseying over Teams). Another menopause warrior who coached me is the fantastic Katherine Gale (look up her social media pages, called Fluxstate).

So where are we now? MyPause within Suffolk and North-East Essex Integrated Care System is accredited by Henpicked. Henpicked was founded by the wonderful Deborah Garlick (another woman worthy of a virtual curtsey), and we are the first system nationally to be accredited and at a rare level 5. We have trained around 80 menopause advocates so that they can provide support within their own organisations. We have provided multiple education sessions for managers, for peri and menopausal people, and we have researched with University of Suffolk, Menopause and Inclusivity.

We have provided sessions for men because learning about menopause is for EVERYONE! Because you will know someone suffering symptoms right now - a work colleague, a friend, a partner or a member of your family.

What’s next? We have broadened our scope in line with the Women’s Health Strategy for England published last year. We now have a women’s health centre of excellence (COMET) working with universities, HealthWatch’s many NHS organisations, VCSE sector colleagues and of course the wonderful Suffolk Libraries. A group of passionate and determined people who will be exploring what a women’s health hub could look like in our system.

As I move on to a new role working with East of England Ambulance Service, I channel my formidable Aunt, Carolyn Harris MP, Katherine Gale and Deborah Garlick, and I’m unashamedly proud of the women who no longer feel alone, who feel more supported and understood as a result of the work that has been achieved.