The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has launched a menopause hub with the aim of keeping “highly skilled vets” in the profession.
This follows its recent commitment to take positive action to make sure everyone experiencing menopause is supported by signing the Menopause Workplace Pledge.
The association highlighted research from health insurance company BUPA, which found that that almost 900,000 women in the UK had left their jobs because of menopausal symptoms.
The hub intends to provide a range of resources and tailored support to prevent this.
It is available online, offering regularly updated veterinary-specific content, training, and information around menopause, plus signposting to existing material.
“We’re committed to supporting all veterinary staff affected by menopause, allowing them to remain in post, and to providing relevant resources to improve employer engagement in this area,” BVA junior vice-president Anna Judson said.
BVA additional support
Workers effected by menopause will also be eligible for three months of free access to the Stella app.
This includes a personalised plan to manage your specific symptoms, real life coach support, menopause resources, progress tracking, and access to community support.
Content on the app is created in collaboration with a range of clinicians and healthcare professionals.
The issue of menopause will also be covered in a panel session as part of BVA Congress at London Vet Show in November.
It will be chaired by Judson, along with a panel: Liz Barton, Judy Scrine, Dr. Beverley Taylor and Alex Taylor.
The group will discuss the impact of the menopause on the profession and showcase “solution-focused ways” veterinary teams can support colleagues.
“We urge all veterinary workplaces to sign the [Menopause Workplace] pledge and consider what more they could be doing to support their staff in managing menopause symptoms in the workplace,” Judson added.
