In a special episode on the eve of International Nurses Day, this week’s guest is Sue Thomas, an advanced nurse practitioner with an interest in menopause who works alongside Dr Louise at Newson Health Menopause and Wellbeing Centre. They discuss Sue’s 30-year nursing career, including her work in cardiovascular disease prevention, and talk about the vital role nurses play in raising awareness and treating women during the perimenopause and menopause. And with figures showing nine out of ten UK nurses are women, and more than half aged over 41, Sue and Dr Louise discuss the impact of the perimenopause and menopause on the nursing profession, with Sue sharing her own menopause experience and the barriers she faced when trying to access HRT. Sue’s three take home tips for fellow nurses and healthcare professionals are: Look for more education about the menopause, such as the free Confidence in the Menopause course If you are struggling with menopause yourself, be open with colleagues and line managers – we need to look after each other Let’s make the menopause a positive thing. Click here to read an advice article by Sue for healthcare professionals on coping with menopause in the workplace.

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.