MyPause

MyPause is a support group for those experiencing menopause or for those who want to learn about it, this group is inclusive and currently has more than 70 members.

The menopause is a natural part of ageing which usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 years old as the oestrogen levels decline.

There are around 35 menopause symptoms with 3 out of 4 women experience some symptoms, 1 in 4 experience serious symptoms.

MyPause holds sessions for members on Microsoft Teams including guest speakers, and face to face as infection prevention guidelines allow. If you would like to join MyPause, please email: Debs.crelly@wsh.nhs.uk or ellie.stewart@wsh.nhs.uk

If you are experiencing symptoms or would like to learn more, MyPause is here to support you, you are not alone.

Use this menopause symptom tracker to keep track of any symptoms you experience. Just make a note of the relevant symptom's number on the corresponding day. This will become a useful document for discussing your symptoms with your GP.

Resource for Staff:

Early menopause websites:

Menopause websites:

Twitter accounts to follow:

Change to covid-19 swabbing for staff and family

Since the start of the pandemic, the NHS has built a significant testing operation that includes walk-in and drive through test sites and at home testing. It has also invested in large-scale laboratories that can process and analyse swabs at scale and speed.

As a result, from November 1 we are making some changes to our approach to in-house PCR testing.We will no longer routinely offer Covid-19 PCR tests for staff or their families with suspected symptoms, or who have been identified as potential contacts of someone with Covid away from work. Instead, staff should use their nearest NHS testing centre - you can book online or by calling 119.

We will no longer operate the current testing pods near the Emergency Department at West Suffolk Hospital. We will continue to swab and test patients, and we will also offer PCR tests to staff in the event of a suspected outbreak at work. These changes will help us focus on patient testing to help with capacity across our services, and will often mean faster turnaround for staff results by taking advantage of national laboratory capacity. Staff will also be able to more easily register their results in the NHS Covid App.