Health hub seeing 100 women per month

The hub launched in in Sunderland in March

More than 600 women have used a specialist women's health hub in its first six months.

Launched in March, the service at the Pallion Health Centre in Sunderland offers gynaecological, sexual health, contraception and menopause care.

The aim is to offer services in one place, reducing the need for multiple appointments.

Dr Ruth Thompson, the GP who heads the service along with two practitioner nurses, said women have told her they "were delighted to get a number of things sorted in one appointment".

She said: "We want things to be as streamlined as possible.

"So if someone comes for contraception and they are due to have their smear, we can do that at the same time."

Lindsay Turner, 43, who found out about the hub from her GP when she sought help for perimenopause symptoms, urged others not to suffer in silence.

"Do something for yourself and get the help that you need, it's made a massive difference to me," Ms Turner said.

Another service user, Victoria Umoru, said: "The service here is really nice and I was given different options to choose from.

"They treated me right, I was really glad I could choose what suits me best. I feel good."

Dr Thompson said women are able to get a number of things sorted in one appointment

Women do not have to be referred to the hub by their GP.

Dr Thompson said: "We're trying to reduce barriers, so they simply have to call their surgery and ask the reception to be booked in here directly.

"I think women really appreciate the service and seeing someone who's an expert, without needing to go to hospital."