Menopause

Menopause is when your periods stop and your hormone levels change.
This can cause symptoms like hot flushes, mood changes, or trouble sleeping.

If you need help managing menopause or perimenopause symptoms, contact your GP. They can offer advice, discuss treatment options, and refer you for specialist support if needed.

Find out more: Menopause - NHS

Heavy periods

If your periods are very heavy or make you feel unwell, speak to your GP.

Find out more: Heavy periods – NHS

Unexpected bleeding between periods or after sex

Always get this checked by a GP.
Find out more: Unexpected bleeding – NHS

If you have symptoms like pelvic pain, heavy periods or unexpected bleeding, your GP is your first contact.

They can examine you and refer you to a local clinic or hospital if needed.

Local hospital information

Women’s Services – Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust
https://www.sath.nhs.uk/wards-services/az-services/womens-services-2/

Community gynaecology

There are local services that provide care closer to home for common women’s health needs.

Women’s services – Shropshire Community

The service sees women with gynaecological conditions, who have been referred to us by their GP or consultant. Patients should be 18 years old or over. This service is available at the Oswestry Health Centre.

https://www.shropscommunityhealth.nhs.uk/womens-health#onthispage2

Women’s Health Hubs are places that make it easier for women to get the care they need. They bring different types of support together in one service, so you don’t have to visit lots of different clinics.

Hubs can help with:

• Period problems
• Contraception (ways to prevent pregnancy)
• Menopause support
• Women’s health checks

Every area may run its hub a little differently. Because of this, the best way to find out what is available in your local area is to contact your GP practice, who can tell you what your Primary Care Network (PCN) offers.

Before pregnancy

Looking after your health before becoming pregnant can help you and your baby.
Simple steps include:

• Take folic acid
• Avoid smoking and alcohol
• Keep active
• Manage long‑term conditions with your GP

More NHS guidance:

• For further information on the above visit:  https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/trying-for-a-baby/planning-your-pregnancy/

If you’re struggling to get pregnant

If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for one year without success, speak to your GP. They can offer advice, arrange initial tests, and refer you to specialist fertility services if needed.

Some treatments may be self‑funded or NHS‑funded, depending on whether you meet the eligibility criteria set out in the STW ICB Assisted Conception Policy.

Local services:

Shropshire & Mid Wales Fertility Centre

Contraception & sexual health

Local, free and confidential services are available through OpenClinic and some GP practices and pharmacies.

• OpenClinic: https://openclinic.org.uk/
• Find a pharmacy: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy
• Get the contraceptive pill from a pharmacy (without a prescription):
  https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/pharmacies/find-a-pharmacy-offering-contraceptive-pill-without-prescription/

Abortion services

Abortion care is free, confidential and available without a GP referral. Your local services are listed below:

BPAS Telford Clinic
Suite 2.09, Grosvenor House, Telford TF2 9TW

Clinic info: BPAS Telford Central Clinic | BPAS

Having an abortion: the care you should expect:

Information for the public | Abortion care | Guidance | NICE

Booking your maternity care

If you are pregnant, you can book your pregnancy care yourself. You don’t need to contact a GP first.

Self‑refer online via SaTH
https://www.badgernotes.net/SelfReferral/CareLocation/SATH

Maternity Triage (16 weeks and above)

(For urgent pregnancy concerns)

If you are 16 weeks pregnant or more and are worried about your health or your baby’s movements, Maternity Triage is here to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You should call triage straight away if you notice any changes in your baby’s movements, think your waters have broken, have bleeding, pain, a severe headache, swelling, a high temperature, itching on your hands or feet, or any other concerns.

For full details and the triage phone number, please visit the SaTH maternity triage page:

Click here to contact Maternity Triage

After birth

Maternity Triage also supports parents for the first 28 days after birth.

If you’re worried about your baby’s wellbeing and need urgent advice, you can also call NHS 111 or attend A&E.

More information:
Maternity Triage – Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust
Triage – SaTH

Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAS)

(For pregnancies under 16 weeks)

The Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAS) supports women who are less than 16 weeks pregnant and are worried about symptoms such as pain, bleeding, or a change in early pregnancy symptoms. The team provides specialist assessment and care for early pregnancy concerns.

To find out more about EPAS and how to access the service:
Early Pregnancy Assessment Service (EPAS) – Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust
https://www.sath.nhs.uk/wards-services/az-services/maternity/early-pregnancy-assessment-service-epas/

Maternal Mental Health Service (The Lighthouse)

The Maternal Mental Health Service (also called The Lighthouse) supports women and birthing people whose mental health has been affected by their maternity experience. This may include loss, grief, trauma, or a fear of childbirth.

The service offers appointments online or face‑to‑face, and support can include talking therapies, trauma‑informed care and help for partners or families.

Find out more information:
Maternal Mental Health Service – Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin (MPFT)
https://www.mpft.nhs.uk/services/maternal-mental-health-service-shropshire-telford-and-wrekin

Pelvic Health in Pregnancy and Beyond

Pelvic health changes are common during pregnancy and after birth. For reliable national guidance, see below:

• Pelvic floor exercises: Your post-pregnancy body - NHS
• Bladder changes: Urinary incontinence - NHS
• Pelvic pain (including PGP): Pelvic pain in pregnancy - NHS

Locally, SaTH offers clear information on understanding pelvic floor changes, managing symptoms, and knowing when and how to seek help.

Explore more here: Pelvic Health During Pregnancy and Beyond (SaTH)

Maternity & Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP)

Your voice shaping local maternity care

The Maternity & Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP) is an independent group that listens to mothers, birthing people, partners and families about their experiences of local maternity and neonatal services. Your feedback helps improve care across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin.

What the MNVP does

The MNVP:

• Listens to experiences before, during and after birth
• Gathers feedback from families to help shape local services
• Works with the Local Maternity & Neonatal System (LMNS) to make care kind, safe and personalised
• Runs focus groups, visits units, and checks that services meet families’ needs

How to get involved

Anyone who has used maternity or neonatal services can:

• Share feedback
• Join focus groups
• Become a service‑user representative

Your experiences help create meaningful change for current and future service users.

Learn more or share your story:
https://www.shroptwmaternityvoices.co.uk/

Women’s Health Needs Assessment (WHNA)

Shaping priorities for women’s health across our region

We are currently developing the Women’s Health Needs Assessment (WHNA) for Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin. This assessment brings together data, evidence, and lived experience to build a clear understanding of women’s health needs across the life course, from adolescence and reproductive health through pregnancy, menopause, and healthy ageing.

We are working closely with colleagues across:

• our local NHS Trust,
• cancer and diabetes programmes,
• maternity and neonatal services,
• mental health services,
• primary care,
• local authority public health commissioning,
• sexual health services,
• the MNVP,
• and partners in the voluntary and community sector (VCS).

Their insight and expertise are helping shape the findings and ensure the assessment reflects what matters most to women and families across our region.

The final WHNA document will be added to this page as soon as it is published.

Screening can help find cancer early, often before symptoms develop.
Finding cancer early makes treatment more effective and improves outcomes.

In Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, NHS screening programmes are available for breast, cervical and bowel cancer. Lung cancer screening is also being introduced for some people at higher risk.

You will usually be invited automatically when you are eligible, but it is important to attend when you are invited. If you have symptoms at any time, do not wait for screening — contact your GP.

Breast screening

Breast screening uses a mammogram (breast X‑ray) to detect cancers at an early stage.

Women aged 50 to 70 are invited every 3 years. Some people outside this age range may also be eligible.

If you notice any breast changes, such as a lump, pain, or changes to the skin or nipple, see your GP as soon as possible rather than waiting for screening.

Find out more about local breast screening:
https://www.shropshiretelfordandwrekin.nhs.uk/our-work/cancer/breast-cancer/

Cervical screening (smear test)

Cervical screening checks the health of your cervix and looks for high‑risk HPV (human papillomavirus), which can lead to cervical cancer.

You will usually be invited every 5 years between the ages of 25 and 64.

Some people may be invited more often, depending on their previous results.

It is not a test for cancer, but it helps prevent cancer from developing.

If you have symptoms such as unusual bleeding, pelvic pain, or pain during sex, contact your GP, even if you are up to date with screening.

Find out more about cervical screening and HPV:
Gynaecological Cancer - NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin

Bowel cancer screening

Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers locally, but it is also one of the most treatable when found early.

Bowel screening can help find cancer early or spot changes before cancer develops.

Find out more about bowel cancer, symptoms and screening:

https://www.shropshiretelfordandwrekin.nhs.uk/bowel-cancer-spot-the-signs-and-act-early/

Lung cancer screening

Lung cancer screening is being offered to some people aged 55 to 74 who have a higher risk of lung cancer, usually based on smoking history.

You may be invited for a lung health check, which can include:

• a discussion about your lung health
• a scan if needed

This programme helps find lung cancer earlier, when treatment is more effective.

Find out more about lung cancer screening:
Lung Cancer Screening - NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin

When to seek help

Screening does not replace seeing a GP if you have symptoms.

Contact your GP if you notice:

• unexplained lumps or swelling
• unusual bleeding
• ongoing pain that is not normal for you
• unexplained weight loss
• changes that are not normal for you

You will be assessed and referred for tests if needed. Early assessment is important.

Find out more about signs and symptoms of cancer: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer/

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, at any time. It can have a huge impact on the survivor and their family including children who live with the impact of domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse is an adult safeguarding matter in cases where the person in question has care and support needs (Care Act 2014). See ‘How to Raise an Adult safeguarding concern in Shropshire or Telford and Wrekin’.

However, even if the victim does not have care and support needs then help and support is still required. Please see the Domestic Abuse Pathway which includes a summary of useful advice and contact numbers

If a serious crime has been committed, or someone is in immediate danger or needs urgent help, call 999 straight away.

Support for survivors

Click here for more details on support for survivors of Domestic Abuse

Suspect a child is living in an environment with domestic abuse?

Click here for more details on actions to take if you suspect a child is living in an environment with domestic abuse.