KGH holds Menopause sessions
Today 25 June, colleagues at KGH have been learning about the menopause in special information sessions being run by Henpicked.
This is a topic close to the hearts of most of the people who work at KGH. At KGH 37% of our staff are women aged over 45.
The average age for a woman to go through the menopause is 51. Nationally, women represent 47% of the UK workforce, 28% of whom are aged 50 and above.
Information sessions are being led by Juliet Saimbi, Associate Consultant, Henpicked. “I’m here today to help colleagues understand the menopause and remove any taboos about this subject by talking about it.
The sessions aren’t just for women. We want male colleagues to attend too. Menopausal woman are the largest growing demographic in the workforce. If you’re not experiencing the menopause, you’ll know someone who is. That might be a wife, mother, sister, aunt or colleague.”
How each woman experiences the menopause will differ. Symptoms can present in a variety of ways. This might be a hot-flush, lack of sleep or a feeling of anxiousness.
“The session was really helpful” said Sarah who attended one of the sessions.
“It was useful to know that the things I was experiencing were being felt by other people too. I didn’t feel alone”
The support won’t end with the sessions held today. Juliet has also trained staff to provide on-going support to others.
“With the peer-training we wanted to create a system so staff can feel safe to discuss the menopause on their wards or in their departments” Juliet adds.
“This support fits with the CARE values that KGH hold. Especially those around being compassionate and engaging”
A total of three 90 minute interactive sessions were held with over 75 attendees
“It was a safe and supportive environment for us to share our experiences with each other and our colleagues.” Explains Sarah, an attendee. “It helped me understand my experiences and how common they are amongst other women going through the menopause”