Nova Scotia is set to open a new Menopause Centre of Excellence in Spryfield this winter. The clinic will specialize in managing symptoms related to perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause, with a focus on clinical care, research and education. “Today is another important step forward for women’s health and another step closer to opening the Menopause Centre of Excellence,” said Shawna O’Hearn, co-founder of the Menopause Society of Nova Scotia, in a news release from the province. “By integrating evidence-based menopause care, education and research within a co-ordinated centre of excellence, we can improve access, reduce disparities, and ensure that midlife women receive timely, high-quality care and support.” The centre is part of an overall plan to improve women’s health care in the province, which also includes enhanced breast screening, a Women’s Health Research and Innovation Grant, and an education co-ordinator to help improve understanding of menopause among health providers, educators and the public. “Women have told us more action is needed to improve access to the health services they need,” said Michelle Thompson, minister of Health and Wellness, in the release. “For too long many women have felt they needed to advocate harder, wait longer or try to navigate a more complicated path to get the care they need. Today’s announcement is about changing that.” Thompson says a review of the breast screening process is in progress. It will look at booking and waitlist management, scheduling, standardizing services and equipment, and workforce opportunities. “Work is already underway to increase capacity in areas with longer waits, so patients have more opportunities to be seen quicker. We are anticipating a boost in available appointments in the next several months,” said Thompson. The Nova Scotia government is launching several other new initiatives, including a Women’s Health Summit, the Women’s Health Clinical Collaborative, and a Women’s Health Program. “Government doesn’t have all the answers,” Thompson told reporters Monday. “The people who use these services, deliver this care and advocate for women and girls every day have valuable expertise and we want their voices and experiences at the table.” The goal of the Women’s Health Summit, set to hold its inaugural meeting this fall, will be to build on input from community organizations, advocates, patients, and health-care providers to identify and shape future priorities. The Women’s Health Program and Women’s Health Clinical Collaborative will oversee women’s health initiatives, with an emphasis on creating an efficient and sustainable system. “These new initiatives will ensure women’s health remains a priority, while bringing together the expertise needed to make meaningful improvements for women today and into the future,” said Thompson. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
