Women in police custody to be offered menopause help

Northamptonshire Police custody staff will ask all women over 40 if they require help with the condition

A healthcare trust has launched an initiative to support menopausal women in police custody.

Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) in partnership with Northamptonshire Police, will ask all women aged 40 and over, whether they would like to speak to someone about the condition, when being booked into custody.

If they accepted the offer, they would then see a member of staff from the custody healthcare team and be supported by the trust.

Their individual needs would be discussed and a care plan drawn up for the duration of their stay.

Women in custody will be offered a plan tailored to their menopausal needs

The menopause is when women's periods stop due to lower hormone levels and this normally happens around the age 45 to 40.

The brain, skin, muscles and emotions are all affected by falling levels of oestrogen.

There are lots of possible symptoms and you can have some of them, all of them, or none - and for varied lengths of time.

Symptoms include heavy or irregular bleeding, hot flushes, and so called 'brain fog.'

Perimenopause is when you have symptoms of menopause but your periods have not stopped.

'Critically important'

Anthony Begley from NHFT said lots of women experienced symptoms of menopause and their needs "must be considered" when being interviewed by police.

Mr Begley added: "It is critically important that vulnerable adults have support during interviews to safeguard their rights and interests.”

Custody Inspector Steve Chatburn also “welcomed” the programme, and said it would “provide the right support” for those arrested in their care.

It is thought around 75% of women in the UK are affected by the menopause.