Women's health: would better support keep nurses in the NHS?

RCN congress hears from nurses who have struggled with problematic periods, IVF treatments pregnancy and menopause symptoms with little support from employers

Nurses have shared deeply personal experiences of fertility treatment, endometriosis, painful heavy periods and menopause, highlighting the need for better support at work.
Among the measures needed were flexible working, proper sanitary provision and better support from managers.
Health issues can ‘destroy careers’ and nurses should not feel the need to hide them
In an RCN congress discussion on support for those who identify as or are assigned female at birth, many members suggested nurses feel they have to hide what they’re going through.
Senior nurse Dionne Daniel said dealing with endometriosis and menopause at work almost ‘destroyed’ her career.
‘Right now in this room, there are women going through things that can destroy their career. So we need to have this important discussion,’ she said.
Hospice nurse Wendy Hoban told members she seriously considered leaving the profession after experiencing a chemically induced menopause following treatment for breast cancer. She is now working part-time thanks to supportive management, she added.
‘Women face a number of health challenges throughout their lifetime, and it is dismissive and unrealistic to expect or assume they can continue working without reasonable adjustment or support,’ she said.
‘Inadequate’ support could force nurses to leave the profession
Members highlighted that a continuing lack of support for what is a predominantly female workforce could force nurses to leave the profession, affecting safe staffing and patient safety.
Opening the discussion, RCN fertility nursing forum chair Francesca Steyn said provisions of sanitary supplies and policies for periods and menopause were ‘inadequate’.
‘When faced with these health concerns, many may consider reducing their work hours or leaving work entirely. We often see that sanitary provisions in places of work are not adequate,’ she added.
But the barriers faced do not stop at periods and menopause, Ms Steyn raised concerns about nurses undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and having to inject their medication in toilets due to a lack of safe facilities.
‘No woman should have to hide what they are going through from managers'
Meanwhile, discrimination during pregnancy and maternity leave, and when returning to work is still common.
Gynaecology matron Emma Ayling said she continued to work while going through seven failed IVF transfers.
She told Nursing Standard she was ‘fortunate enough’ to be supported by her managers but many nurses were not.
‘No women should have to hide what they are going through from their managers for fear of not being supported,’ she said.
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