Partnerships
The NHS Dorset Women's Health Programme 2024/25
This was a Government health initiative of NHS England Women's Health Strategy and has essentially been the creation of a Dorset Women's Health Hub website. This is a central point of reference for all information, education, awareness, self help, and service provision concerning women's health across the lifespan. The website, produced by Dorset Women CIC in conjunction with NHS Dorset, clinicians, third sector organisations and the public, raises awareness of local community services and provides useful resources to empower women to make informed decisions about their mental and physical wellbeing. Dorset Menopause Support worked collaboratively on the Menopause Project Panel.
The project involved partnerships with;
Dorset Women CIC
Health Innovation Wessex
Bournemouth University
Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
University Hospitals Dorset
Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust
Dorset NHS Maternity & Neonatal Voices
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Dorset Menopause Support CIC was invited onto the menopause project panel, as it was important to have the women of Dorset represented and their voices heard. This programme has been created by listening to what real women who live in Dorset want and need. This is expected to improve access and quality of care - a priority identified by women - and ease pressures on the NHS. We worked closely with Health Innovation Wessex, NHS Dorset and with some experienced NHS health care professionals and consultants who genuinely want to make positive changes and improve services and experiences for women.
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We distributed surveys, collected personal stories and over many months, collaboratively selected and agreed on the content for the Menopause section of the website. It was very important to us that as many local services (both NHS and private health care), organisations and charities were included for women to access. This way women have choice and can find out who may be able to support their needs most quickly and effectively.
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Click on this link to view the website: Women's Health - Our Dorset
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There were other projects that were included due to some of the feedback that Dorset women shared with us about their experiences within primary care. One of these was TTT (Train the Trainer) where clinicians had the opportunity to upskill and improve their knowledge in certain areas of women's health. One of the most successful of these projects was the delivery of 3 Menopause Webinars during January, February and March 2025 for clinicians and health care professionals to attend. They were presented by Mr Tim Hillard, Consultant Gynaecologist from Poole Menopause Clinic and were very well attended with excellent feedback.
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These 'Lunch and Learn' online learning opportunities focused on key areas and it is hoped that these will not only give women a better experience and outcome when attending a GP appointment, but also reduce the long waiting list to the Menopause Clinic. The positive changes that this has already brought about is being reported back to us via Dorset women at Information Meetings and during Consultations. We can also report that we have persuaded Tim Hillard to continue these further, as NHS Dorset has allocated some funding towards this project as it was so successful. Long may these continue! They not only increase clinician's knowledge and bring them up to date on the most appropriate and available treatments for women, but also give them the confidence to put this into practice.
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There was a Stakeholder Celebration day on the 24th April 2025. The event showcased the importance of women's health in Dorset. Rowan (Founder and Director) from Dorset Menopause Support CIC was asked to be a speaker on the Menopause Expert Panel alongside Mr Tim Hillard (Consultant Gynaecologist and lead Menopause Specialist at Poole Clinic) and Dr Sarah Hillier (Nutrition Lecturer from Bournemouth University). There was a very welcome response to the combination of the panellists and numerous questions came flooding in!
This was a truly special day and it was so lovely to meet everyone who had been working on the project in person after months of virtual meetings. There were many inspirational speakers and women's health panels throughout the day, sharing collaborative efforts to develop local improvements. There was an overwhelming consensus that this is just the beginning of many positive changes that will be made due to the driving force of Dorset women, who are being listened to and supported by some amazing individuals who work in women's health, both in the NHS and third sector who will make change happen.
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Dorset Menopause Support CIC has been asked to remain on the Stakeholder Steering Group and be involved in future collaboration, projects and opportunities. We were only to happy to accept this request. We need to keep the momentum going!
The Menopause Expert Panel - Dr Sarah Hillier, Nutrition lecturer from Bournemouth University, Mr Tim Hillard, Consultant Gynaecologist & Menopause Specialist at Poole Clinic and Miss Rowan Chambers, Founder and Director of Dorset Menopause Support CIC.
Some of the Menopause Project Team: Marianne Storey (Dorset Women CIC), Helen Crook and Michelle Upshall (NHS Dorset) Rowan Chambers (Dorset Menopause Support), Tim Hillard (Consultant Gynaecologist), Patrick Arnold and Nicky Smith (Health Innovation Wessex)
Marianne Storey and Honey from Dorset Women CIC, celebrating the achievements of the Dorset Women's Health programme and explaining some of the complexities and hurdles they had to overcome along the way!
Left: Elizabeth Streeter, Senior Policy Advisor; Tara Isles, Policy Advisor; David Richmond, Clinical Lead SW.
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Right: Patricia Miller, NHS Dorset Chief Executive who shared her personal life experiences of women's health services and her hopes for the future.
Mr Patrick Arnold, Programme Manager Health Innovation Wessex.
Dr Linda Agyemang, Senior Lecturer in adult nursing at Bournemouth University addressing issues within minority groups.
Dr Paul Johnson, NHS Dorset Chief Medical Officer.
Miss Helen Crook, NHS Dorset Programme Manager.
Women's Mental Health Panel; Meherzin Das (Chief Psychological Professions Officer, Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust), Sandra Healey (Senior Service Lead, NHS talking therapies) Jagoda Banovic (Perinatal Service Manager, Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust) Dr Joanna Yilmaz (Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Maternal Mental Health Service).
Patrick Arnold, Health Innovation Wessex; Helen Crook, NHS Dorset; Professor Carol Clarke, Senior Physiotherapy Lecturer at Bournemouth University; Leah Gallon, Health Innovation Wessex; Nicky Smith, Health Innovation Wessex; Honey, Dorset Women CIC; Michelle, NHS Dorset; Marianne Storey, Dorset Women CIC.