Dr Rabia Aftab, a GP at Riverside surgery in Brigg, North Lincolnshire, is one of a growing number of women’s health champions in the North East and Yorkshire region.

Within the Primary Care Network (PCN) there are four practices, including Riverside which has a patient list size of around 25,000 patients. The PCN has benefitted from funding made available for women’s health as part of a Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board initiative.

Rabia believes that treating menopausal symptoms is at the centre of looking after women’s health in the community.

She explains:

Dr Rabia Aftab

“Quite often hormonal imbalance is at the root of many symptoms. We are discovering patients can be misdiagnosed as having anxiety, depression or fibromyalgia when in fact they are going through what used to be commonly referred to as the ‘change’.

‘’Although perimenopause and menopause are natural processes, the symptoms can be debilitating, and this can make it more difficult to talk about them. Women can feel isolated, ashamed, or hesitant to seek support. They also have a lot to share – more than can be dealt with in a ten- or fifteen-minute consultation. They not only need empathy and good listening skills but also a safe and confidential environment where they feel supported by others in the same situation as them.”

In her work as a women’s health champion for her PCN Rabia has initiated and set up a regular bespoke menopause clinic that runs most Saturday afternoons at Riverside. The timing of the clinic offers greater flexibility to women who are often juggling work and family responsibilities and gives the time needed to take a more holistic approach. Since April 2025, this has offered half hour slots to women wishing to discuss symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause such as fatigue, joint pains, low mood and hot flushes. Discussion around management has not only included Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) but also important lifestyle advice.

Rabia continues: “If we give women the time they need to discuss their symptoms, address their expectations, and discuss a clear treatment plan at the outset, we can prevent repeat and unwarranted GP appointments. This not only improves the patient journey but also saves time and valuable NHS resources.”

Rabia is one of a growing number of champions in the area – her own approach has been inspired by a professional peer – Advanced Clinical Practitioner Lauren Riley who has successfully set up menopause group consultations in a practice in Selby, North Yorkshire.

“I am passionate about improving women’s experience of healthcare particularly at the time or perimenopause and menopause and witnessing Lauren’s work really sparked my enthusiasm as I could see what a difference it could make.”

The impact on patients has already been significant and the practice has been receiving great feedback.

A patient at the new clinic said:

“My GP Dr Aftab listened, fully explained, talked through possibilities now and in the future. She appeared to understand and have knowledge of menopause and the effect it has on womens’ lives and health. This clinic is a giant step forward.”

Rabia adds: “I see this as moving from treatment to prevention. It’s not just about HRT being prescribed to alleviate symptoms in the short to mid-term but also focussing on lifestyle such as diet and exercise for long term benefits.”

The next stage of the PCN’s work in this area is to explore group consultations for menopause. Rabia believes that offering group consultations will particularly help the holistic aspect of menopause care and the Riverside Surgery team are about to start offering this option to patients.

Rabia concludes: “Our next step is to offer group consultations within our clinic so patients can benefit from the additional element of this kind of setting, including peer-support through shared experience.”

For more information visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/menopause/

You can listen to Rabia and Lauren talk about their work in the World Menopause Day episode of the Transforming Primary Care podcast