Appearing on the ITV daytime show, the Health Secretary joked he ‘nearly knocked the table over’, and explained he’d been recovering all week from a nasty cold
Wes Streeting has described appearing on Loose Women as “the most nervous” he’s been amid worries about destroying the set.
Appearing on the ITV daytime show, the Health Secretary joked he “nearly knocked the table over”, and explained he’d been recovering all week from a nasty cold. Mr Streeting.
The senior cabinet minister was appearing on the show to highlight that questions about the menopause will be included in NHS health checks for the first time, in a move that could benefit millions of women in England.
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Speaking as his interview began, he said: “[I] nearly knocked the table over. This is the most nervous I’ve ever felt.
“I’ve just walked on, I nearly knocked the set over, I’m recovering from a stinking cold, I’ve been gargling TCP all week just so I could get on this programme, and I thought great, I’m going to trip up or I’ll destroy the set. I’ve made it in one piece.”
Host Jane Moore joked: “It’s because you care, Wes”.
Mr Streeting was speaking after announcing a boost to women facing the menopause, explaining they’d been “suffering in silence for too long”.
Menopause happens when periods stop because of lower hormone levels, and usually takes place between the ages of 45 and 55.
The transitional phase, known as perimenopause, can last for years before a woman’s final period.
NHS health checks are offered to eligible people between the ages of 40 to 74 every five years.
Their aim is to detect people at risk of developing conditions such as heart and kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, dementia and stroke.
Speaking earlier, he said: : “Women have been suffering in silence for far too long and haven’t been encouraged to open up about the symptoms they’re experiencing.
“This often means they’re left to navigate menopause alone, with very little support – all because of an outdated health system that fails to acknowledge how serious it can be.
“No one should have to grit their teeth and just get on with what can be debilitating symptoms or be told that it’s simply part of life.
“This Government is overhauling women’s healthcare and giving those experiencing menopause and perimenopause the visibility and support they have long been asking for.”