Menopause Group Consultations

Group clinics are a way for you to spend more time with your doctor, nurse or GP, get your one to one review and get answers to your questions alongside others living with similar health issues. You may also get advice from specialist nurses and doctors, pharmacists, physiotherapists, dieticians, social prescribing link workers and health coaches in this way.

You spend longer with the clinician than you would in a one to one appointment. People find having more time for questions and the chance to learn from other people’s experiences and share their own mean they learn more, cope better and often succeed in keeping themselves well.

Yes, there is a consent process in place and this helps you and others stay safe and preserves the whole group’s confidentiality.

At your group clinic you get the clinical review and support you need. You get answers to your specific questions and there is group discussion about health issues too.

Your group lasts 60 minutes. There are usually up to 10 people in a group. Once you’ve checked in, a member of the clinic team who is running the video group clinic will greet you. The facilitator’s job is to keep the group together and make sure the clinic stays on track.

They will ask you to confirm your identity and check you are happy to take part. Then they will start the session by reminding everyone in the group to keep information confidential and to follow some simple group rules or understandings that help you to get the most out of the clinic and your time with your clinician.

Each member of the group introduces themselves. There is time to review and understand your condition and your main concerns about it. Then you come up with questions for your clinician. Each individual will have the opportunity to speak to the clinician in turn while the rest of the group benefit from hearing the consultation. The facilitator wraps up after 60 minutes and you get the chance to reflect on what you have learnt and what you want to do next to keep well.

If there are complex issues that cannot be addressed during the group, the clinician will arrange a follow up appointment with you. Or they may need to get back to you with answers to specific questions that couldn’t be answered during the group though this is unusual.

Our policy is that everyone must be signed in no later than 5 minutes after the agreed start time. This is because it is important that everyone is checked in, consents and signs up to the group understandings at the start. It is very disruptive for the group when people join late. If you are late, get in touch and we will book you into another video group clinic or remote consultation. Contact the surgery by calling 01227 284300 to re-book.

Do let your facilitator know if you are feeling worried about being in a group. It is OK to join a group to just listen. You will still learn a lot and many people who do this and end up joining in once they feel comfortable.

If you feel the VGC isn’t working for you, let the facilitator know. You can leave at any time. The team asks for feedback at the end of every video group clinic so let your facilitator know if you think things could be improved.

We assure this in three ways. First, before the group, all participants are sent an agreement to not to share any information discussed within the group. Unlike the confidentiality regulations surrounding a doctor’s obligation to keep all information confidential, this is not enforceable by law. However, as all participants will be sharing personal information, it is in everyone’s interests to respect this.

Second, when you join the session, the facilitator asks you to consent to share limited and relevant information about your condition with the group. 

Third, the clinic team makes a record that you have consented and note this in your computer record.

If a prescription has been agreed this will be sent electronically by the clinician after the clinic, they may also send you some resources if these have been discussed during the clinic. If you have any private concerns or the clinician feels you needs some further one to one time or follow up, then you can be booked in for a follow-up one to one appointment as usual. 

Yes. Some people find that they get on really well, form friendships and want to carry on meeting to support each other after they meet at GCs. Getting involved if this happens is your choice. Being part of a support group helps some people stick to their goals and keep motivated to make lifestyle changes that may help with you manage your condition and recovery. Your clinician can refer you to support groups that already exist. Ask about this if you are interested.