GB News host Bev Turner has waded in on NHS male menopause policies allowing medics to take up to a year of sick pay.
Critics have branded the guidelines “silly”, with the leave policy in place at several NHS trusts.
East Midlands Ambulance service managers have been told to give consideration to men suffering menopausal-like symptoms brought on by drops in testosterone.
Providing extra uniforms and changing shift patterns are suggested measures.
Bev Turner has questioned a woke NHS policy
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In written guidance, hosted online by the health service’s employment body, NHS Employers, the trust says male staff should not be shamed about their symptoms.
Turner said on GB News that she felt the story “can’t be true” as she outlined her shock.
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“An NHS trust is now recognising the male menopause, which is a clinical condition apparently, when men’s testosterone drops”, she said.
“Paramedics within this trust are being offered full pay for the year for the male menopause.
“What’s happened to us?”
Andropause, commonly known as the male menopause, is generally associated with symptoms such as anxiety, depression and weight gain.
The NHS is under fire for a woke policy
PAIn serious cases it can lead to erectile dysfunction, gynaecomastia, known as ‘man boobs’, hot flushes and drops in libido.
Speaking to the Telegraph, deputy director of Human Resources at East Midlands Ambulance Service, Tina Richardson, confirmed it’s possible for male staff to receive up to a year of sick pay for symptoms.
She said: “As well as having menopause guidance we also support anyone within the organisation who is affected directly or indirectly by the andropause.
“We provide occupational sick pay for up to 12 months based on service length. That will support absences which may result from symptoms of the andropause or where time off for medical appointments is required.”
NHS England has confirmed the guidance was not a national policy.
The symptoms of the menopause have been highlighted by celebrities like Louise Minchin and Davina McCall, but andropause is less recognised.
Unions such as Community have called for more public recognition of the condition.
Jennifer Dean, head of equalities at Community, said research found there is “very little understanding” of the male menopause.
She added: “There were also real taboos and myths when talking about it, so we wanted to change that for our members.”