Wes Streeting expressed his nervousness during his appearance on the TV show “Loose Women,” fearing he might accidentally damage the set. The Health Secretary, while on the ITV program, humorously mentioned nearly tipping over a table and recovering from a recent cold.
Streeting, a senior cabinet minister, used the platform to announce that menopause-related queries will now be part of NHS health assessments, a change expected to benefit numerous women in England. During the interview, he admitted feeling extremely anxious, stating, “I nearly knocked the table over. This is the most nervous I’ve ever felt.”
The host, Jane Moore, lightened the mood by joking, “It’s because you care, Wes.” Streeting further elaborated on the importance of supporting women experiencing menopause, emphasizing that they have suffered silently for too long.
Menopause typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 when hormone levels decrease, with perimenopause, the transitional phase before the final period, potentially lasting for years. NHS health checks, targeting individuals aged 40 to 74 every five years, aim to identify those at risk of conditions like heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and stroke.
Streeting highlighted the need for better support for women going through menopause, condemning the lack of acknowledgment and assistance within the existing healthcare system. He emphasized the government’s commitment to revamping women’s healthcare to provide the visibility and aid that menopausal and perimenopausal individuals have long sought.