Senate report on menopause welcomed by the AMA
The Senate Committee inquiry into menopause and perimenopause was released this week and includes many recommendations from the AMA’s submission earlier this year.
The AMA this week welcomed the Report from the Community Affairs References Committee Inquiry into issues related to menopause and perimenopause.
Our submission last April highlighted the fact women do not always receive adequate support to manage their symptoms, both in the health system and their workplaces.
AMA President Professor Steve Robson said in April “doctors need more time for female patients to support complex quality menopause care. Longer appointments are needed to adequately assess the complexity of symptoms but also to consider preventative care and risk screening”.
In our submission we highlighted that one of the significant barriers for GPs in providing necessary care to women was appropriate remuneration for longer appointments to listen to the patient and provide comprehensive care.
The committee made several recommendations to improve supported access to GPs and additional prevention tools including a review of the MBS item numbers relevant for menopause and perimenopause consultations, the consideration of new MBS items or expansion of the criteria for the mid-life health check.
We look forward to further consultation with the government and as a member of the National Women’s Health Advisory Council.
