Project Name: Solihull Hospital Breast Cancer Menopause Clinic Development and Implementation

Project Summary: 

This Collaborative Working Project (“CWP”) aims to support breast cancer patients experiencing treatment related menopausal symptoms as well as optimise workforce capacity within the breast cancer oncology service with the creation of new Breast cancer Menopause Clinic with dedicated workforce roles to include a Specialty Doctor in Medical Oncology (Breast), GP with menopause specialist training (GPwER general practitioner with extended role), Band 7 Breast Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Band 7 Dietician, Consultant Clinical Psychologist. The clinical team will be supported by a Band 4 Administration Assistant.

The intention is to maximise the efficiency of clinical appointments that will improve the pathway for Breast Cancer patients’ providing a more efficient and coordinated approach to care. Demand is increasing at an unprecedented rate within breast oncology services across the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust as described in further detail in the ‘Background’ section of the PID, with Solihull being no exception. 

Through the implementation of this CWP, the aim is to achieve the following:

  • Implementation of a dedicated multidisciplinary menopause clinic
  • Provide support and education to patients experiencing treatment related menopause symptoms
  • Ensure patients receive specialised support from an appropriate healthcare professional
  • Alleviate capacity challenges within the breast cancer service at Solihull by redirecting appropriate queries and referrals to the menopause clinic, therefore freeing up consultant time to see more breast cancer patients.
  • Poster submission to UKBCG (United Kingdom Breast Cancer Group) annual conference

The team would like to mentor visiting clinicians to share best practice and education on managing menopause symptoms for patients with a breast cancer diagnosis.

This project will run for 24 months (with 18 months clinical activity) with Novartis providing funding for GPwER, band 7 Breast cancer CNS, Band 7 Dietitian, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and a band 4 Administration Assistant.

Expected Benefits: 

ANTICIPATED BENEFITS FOR PATIENTS

  • Increased access to equitable, consistent and standardised care.
  • Increased access to education on menopause and treatment to improve adherence and consequently patients’ outcomes,
  • Reduce patient waits in the clinic given extra capacity created by new workforce role.
  • Reduced unplanned medical reviews and admissions.
  • More streamlined pathway to improve the patient experience and limit visits to the hospital

ANTICIPATED BENEFITS FOR THE ORGANISATION(S)

  • Increase the overall quality of care and improve equity of access to specialist care for patients with menopausal symptoms associated with BC.
  • Provision of subject matter expertise to educate other members of the clinical team on management of menopausal side effects.
  • Provide a single point of contact for a dedicated cohort of patients, thereby reducing the potential for unplanned calls being received by the wider clinical team.
  • Free up consultant capacity for clinical activities that are unique to their skillset.
  • Reduce use of emergency triage line and unplanned admissions.
  • Workforce efficiency and optimisation by removing administrative burden from clinical staff and coordinating patient care
  • Increased clinic efficiency by ensuring all up to date tests results are available at the right time
  • Increase the overall quality of care and improve equity of access to specialist care for patients with BC experiencing treatment related menopausal symptoms

ANTICIPATED BENEFITS FOR NOVARTS

  • Better understanding of overall HCP and patient needs
  • Optimal use of medicines in line with local/national guidance (including Novartis medicines) in appropriate patients.
  • Ethical, professional, and transparent relationship between Novartis and the Healthcare Organisations
  • Understanding of menopause symptoms and how this effects treatment adherence

Start Date & Expected Duration: November 2025 for 24 months (including 18 months of clinical activity)

FA-11572148 | December 2025