Primrose Surgery have recently begun working with a provider called Stella to provide improved treatment for patients who may be
experiencing symptoms related to menopause.
Stella involves completing a simple questionnaire which should take no longer than 10 minutes.
The idea is that it allows a far quicker assessment, diagnosis and, if required, treatment and prescribing than would be the case if you were to be referred for a hospital appointment.
With patients currently experiencing long waits for hospital treatment, the intention is that we can offer patients a much improved experience without the need for a referral.
Please access the link below and answer the questions as accurately as possible, you will need access to an internet connected device to do this; the assessment will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
Before you start you will need the following:
- Height and weight
- Access to a recent blood pressure reading (within the last 12 months. This could be from a recent GP or hospital appointment, or alternatively readings can be undertaken in community pharmacies or using home devices)
- Have access to a form of official government identification (like a driver’s license or passport), as we need to verify your identity; please note that this will need to be a photographic ID
When logging in please use the unique Patient ID which has been sent to you via Ask my GP (as an example, this will be in the format PRIM12345678).
We recognise that this is a new way of delivering NHS services; if you have any concerns, please contact the practice via Ask my GP, or call the practice on 0161 747 2424 within normal opening hours.
If you have any technical issues in accessing the link in this letter, please contact [email protected] and the Stella team will be happy to help.
We hope this new partnership allows more women to access high quality treatment for menopause faster and your participation helps better inform how we can redesign treatment pathways for patients in the future.
More information can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions below.
FAQs
Why are we doing this?
Like many services post-Covid, demand for the menopause service has increased rapidly over the last year and waiting times for hospital appointments have subsequently increased, to around a year for routine GP referrals.
However, there are many patients who could be offered treatment sooner without needing to see a specialist.
This clinical assessment allows us to identify those patients and offer treatment sooner, potentially removing the need to add patients to a lengthy waiting list.
What is this new clinical assessment?
This new assessment that has been developed to support clinical decision making.
It is currently used outside of the NHS to stage menopause, assess symptoms and identify suggested treatments, including Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
We want to use it with NHS patients to see if it can help our clinicians identify the right treatment for you, which may mean we can offer you treatment much faster than at present.
Who developed the clinical assessment?
The Stella clinical assessment has been developed by a digital health company called Vira Health, and has been approved as a Category 1 Medical Device.
This means it has been certified for use by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
We have partnered with Stella so we can offer this assessment to our patients.
How will it work?
Upon completion of the assessment, your results and treatment recommendation will be sent to your GP who will review and identify your next steps.
This may include: a prescription for HRT; advice and guidance around how to manage your menopause symptoms; or other recommendations such as needing to see you in the practice or referral on to see a hospital specialist.
All patients accessing the assessment will be offered the opportunity to download and use the Stella app.
This app has been designed to support women to better manage symptoms by making lifestyle changes personalised to their own responses. It also provides access to 1:1 coaching and an online community, amongst other features.
Use of this app may help women better manage their menopause and reduce symptoms over time.
If you choose to use the app, the arrangement is between you and Stella.
These services would usually be paid for but our partnership allows us to offer them for free for a period of 12 months.
What is included in the assessment?
The assessment is designed to accurately capture your symptoms, current and historic clinical conditions, family history and other required details. This is in order to ascertain the right treatment for you.
The assessment requires that you verify your identity. This is to ensure we have the right information about the right patient. You will need a government issued ID to do this.
You will need to provide details about height, weight and a recent (last 12 months) blood pressure reading. This will ensure the treatment you receive is safe.
How do I access the assessment?
To access the assessment please follow the link above, at the moment the assessment is only offered digitally.
We may be able to assist completion of the assessment.
If you require assistance, please contact the practice on the details in the letter above.
What happens to my data?
Your responses will be communicated to your GP, who will keep a copy on your personal record.
Any patient identifiable data that you enter into the online application will be deleted.
Stella may be provided anonymised data from the questionnaire to inform their product development but this will not include your personal identifiable information.
What happens after I complete the assessment?
Your responses will be reviewed by your GP who will be in contact with you shortly after you have completed the assessment.
We appreciate your time and by undertaking this assessment we are aiming to help you benefit from more timely care and support.