My name is Anthony Singh, and I am the lead pharmacist and women’s health lead for the North West Leicestershire GP Federation. Our Primary Care Network (PCN) comprises 12 GP practices, serving a population of approximately 114,000 patients. Over the past two years, I have been privileged to lead a transformative journey in menopause care, creating a model that is both scalable and impactful.
The journey to setting up a menopause clinic
Our menopause clinic officially launched in July 2023, building on a pilot clinic I initially ran at one GP surgery. Recognising the immense demand and inequality in accessing menopause care, we expanded the service to cover all 12 practices within our federation.
In the early days, I carried out around 40 appointments per month, focusing on diagnosing, initiating treatment, and managing complex cases of perimenopause and menopause. Fast forward to 2024, and we now conduct approximately 130 appointments each month, streamlined across the federation and supported by the government’s women’s health strategy.
Why the clinic was established
The idea for this clinic was born from a deep realisation of health inequalities, particularly in women’s health. Growing up in an Indian household, I witnessed firsthand the cultural silence and lack of awareness surrounding women’s health issues. Later, as a pharmacist in general practice, I observed many clinicians hesitating to address menopause-related concerns, often deferring these patients rather than providing immediate care.
I felt compelled to change this. With support from my clinical director, I pursued British Menopause Society (BMS) training, completing a two-day course and portfolio to ensure competence in menopause care. This journey wasn’t easy, especially as menopause care wasn’t as prominent a topic then as it is today. But I knew I had to act to bridge the gap in care and education.
Why menopause care?
Menopause is a universal experience that impacts 51% of the world’s population, yet it remains significantly underfunded and overlooked. I wanted to challenge this disparity. When Davina McCall’s Channel 4 documentary brought menopause to national attention, it confirmed that this was an area ripe for improvement.
I’ve always believed that if men experienced menopause, access to care would be simpler, more widespread, and free of charge. While progress has been made, much work remains to be done to ensure women can access high-quality menopause care without turning to private services.
Rejecting the private route
I chose not to pursue a private clinic because I believe menopause care should be free and universally accessible. Too many women are forced to pay significant fees for consultations and tests to receive the care they deserve. This is why I’m proud to run an NHS-funded clinic and to assist other PCNs, federations, and ICSs in establishing similar services.
My vision is a world where private menopause clinics are unnecessary because NHS-run clinics meet the needs of women, ensuring care is equitable and high-quality.
The role of pharmacists in menopause care
Pharmacists are perfectly positioned to lead the way in menopause care. My journey proves that with the right training and determination, pharmacists can establish and run successful menopause clinics. At the age of 34, as an Asian male pharmacist, I faced scepticism and resistance from some clinicians – but this only strengthened my resolve.
Today, our menopause clinic is exclusively pharmacist-led, with four pharmacists conducting consultations. Our goal is to expand this model, integrating other allied health professionals in the future.
Pharmacists have a unique opportunity to diversify their service offerings. I envision a future where every GP practice has a pharmacist-run menopause clinic and community pharmacies provide accessible menopause care in local settings.
A call to action
For pharmacists considering stepping into menopause care, my message is simple: if you have the passion and commitment, you can make a difference. The service provision opportunities are vast, and pharmacists have the skills to lead and innovate in this space.
Women’s health is not just a medical issue; it’s a societal one. As pharmacists, we have a duty to address the inequalities in care and champion a future where menopause care is free, accessible, and of the highest standard.
I am proud of the work we’ve done in North West Leicestershire, but this is just the beginning. Together, we can create a national movement to ensure that all women receive the menopause care they deserve.
By Anthony Ajvinder Singh Digpal, lead pharmacist and women’s health lead for the North West Leicestershire GP Federation
Learn more
- The British Menopause Society
- NAWP Spotlight launches to celebrate World Menopause Day
- PDA attends ACAS menopause briefings
Not yet a PDA member?
If you have not yet joined the PDA, we encourage you to join today and ask your colleagues to do the same.
Membership is FREE to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists, and for the first three months of being newly qualified.
Read about our key member benefits here.