Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to raise awareness amongst clinicians that brain fog can be a symptom of both dementia and menopause.

A Women’s Health Ambassador for England has been appointed to raise the profile for women’s heath, including the menopause and long term conditions, such as dementia. The Ambassador will support implementation of the Women’s Health Strategy, in which the menopause is a priority area.

NHS England is supporting clinicians to deliver improved menopause care through a clinical pathway being developed by a menopause clinical reference group, which will include the symptoms of concentration-loss or ‘brain fog’.

The NHS Health Check for adults in England aged 45 to 74 years old is designed to identify early signs of stroke, kidney disease, heart disease, type 2 diabetes or dementia. Since 2018, dementia risk reduction has been incorporated within the NHS Health Check to increase awareness and motivate people to reduce their risks. In addition, those aged 65 years old and over are made aware of the signs and symptoms of dementia and guided to memory clinics.