Oral Answers to Questions

Freddie van Mierlo Excerpts

Tuesday 24th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Karin Smyth]

My hon. Friend makes an excellent point that many of us will, unfortunately, recognise. We need to address variability in training, through the NHS health checks and training that is being rolled out by both the General Medical Council and the royal colleges. We need to go further. There are some great examples, both in London and across the country, of multidisciplinary teams helping with training for specialist services, and of initiatives like menopause cafés to support women. We need to take those best examples to the rest of the NHS.

[Freddie van Mierlo (Henley and Thame) (LD)]

Hormone replacement therapy is a godsend for many women experiencing menopause, but there is a dire shortage of HRT implants. These are unlicensed medicines, but they are absolutely essential for treatment, particularly for women for whom other treatments do not work. There are women in my constituency who are suffering very badly with poor mental and physical health impacts as a result. I have submitted a number of written questions and received responses from Ministers, in particular the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the hon. Member for Glasgow South West (Dr Ahmed). We really want to know when action will be taken on this, and when we can get the implants that these women so desperately need.

[Karin Smyth]

The hon. Gentleman makes an important point about supply and availability across the country, which is something we monitor regularly to ensure that if there is a shortage of a medicine in an area, there are alternatives available. We will continue to keep that under review, to ensure that women have the services and the medication that they need.