Menopause care to be fast tracked in NHS’s new online hospital
Women with menopause symptoms could access specialist care faster under the NHS’s new online hospital service.
Women struggling with menopause symptoms could soon find it easier to get specialist NHS support, as the condition has been named as a priority for the health service’s new online hospital.
The NHS has confirmed that women’s health issues, including severe menopause symptoms and menstrual problems linked to conditions like endometriosis and fibroids, will be among the first treated through NHS Online, a new digital hospital service designed to speed up access to care.
Announced as part of a major reform programme, NHS Online aims to reduce waiting times by allowing patients to see specialists via video appointments and digital tools, often without needing to travel to hospital.
What is the NHS Online hospital?
NHS Online is a new digital-first hospital service that will allow patients to be assessed, treated and followed up remotely using the NHS App.
Rather than being based in a single physical building, the service will connect patients with specialist doctors across England. Appointments will take place via video or online consultations, with patients monitored from home where appropriate.
The service was launched by the Prime Minister in September 2025, with the first patients expected to be seen in 2027. In its first three years, NHS Online is predicted to deliver the equivalent of up to 8.5 million virtual appointments and assessments.
Why menopause is being prioritised
For many women, menopause symptoms can be debilitating, affecting sleep, mood, work and family life. Long waits to see a specialist have been a common frustration.
By including menopause care from the outset, the NHS says it hopes to provide faster and more convenient access to diagnosis and treatment.
Professor Stella Vig, National Clinical Director for Elective Care at NHS England, said: “The NHS’s new online hospital will see a huge shift in the way we deliver care, giving patients the option to have an online appointment with a specialist anywhere in England.
We’ve selected nine common conditions which the NHS Online service will initially provide support for when it launches next year, including some women’s health issues as well as prostate problems.
Dr Sue Mann, National Clinical Director in Women’s Health at NHS England, added:
“Menstrual problems, that can be caused by conditions such as endometriosis or fibroids, or menopause symptoms can affect every part of a woman’s life, so it’s essential that the NHS provides better access to effective treatments more quickly.
NHS Online will make it easier for women to see a consultant from their own home without having to face a long wait for an in-person appointment, meaning they can get on with their daily lives
Which other conditions will be covered?
Alongside menopause and menstrual problems, the NHS has identified several other common conditions that will initially be supported through NHS Online.
These include:
- Prostate problems, such as prostate enlargement and raised PSA levels
- Eye conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration
- Iron deficiency anaemia
- Inflammatory bowel disease
Patients will usually be offered NHS Online when their GP refers them for specialist care. Those who need tests, scans or procedures will still attend healthcare sites closer to home, while consultants review results remotely.
Will face-to-face appointments still exist?
The NHS has stressed that NHS Online will not replace traditional care. Patients will always have the option to attend in-person appointments if they prefer or if their condition requires a physical examination or procedure.
Instead, the service is designed to free up hospital appointments for those who need them most, while offering flexibility to people who are happy to be seen online.
As more patients choose digital appointments, waiting lists are expected to fall, making it easier for everyone to be seen sooner.
What this could mean for busy mums
For mums juggling work, childcare and family life, the ability to speak to a specialist from home could be a game changer.
If NHS Online delivers on its promise, women dealing with menopause symptoms may be able to access help sooner, without taking time off work or arranging childcare for hospital visits.
While the service will not be available until 2027, today’s announcement signals a shift towards care that fits around real life, rather than the other way around.
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Authors
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.