U.K.-based menopause startup Bia Care has appointed the prominent specialist Dr Juliet Balfour as Chief Menopause Officer. Following the launch of the Bia Care virtual clinic in July 2021, Dr Balfour will work alongside the founders to expand their model and further their mission of providing clinically-led remote menopause care, so more women are less constrained by the expertise and waiting lists of their local doctors.
Bia Care was founded in 2020 by Fernanda Dobal and Dr David Huang, a doctor and NHS Clinical Entrepreneur with experience setting up NHS remote care services. The company was set up to provide quality menopause treatment. Treatment options available through the Bia Care’s clinic include hormone replacement therapy (HRT), nutrition advice, physiotherapy and emotional fitness.
Dr Balfour brings over 30 years of experience in women’s health to Bia Care. She has been an NHS GP in Somerset since 1991 and is now working to improve NHS menopause services in the county. She is also helping to educate other health care professionals to recognize and treat menopausal symptoms. Two years ago she started her own private menopause clinic, the Wells Menopause Clinic, and she now sees women from all over the UK for online consultations.
Dr Balfour is also a member of the British Menopause Society, where she’s recognised as a Menopause Specialist, and is a full associate member of the International Menopause Society. She holds the Advanced Certificate in Menopause Care from the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, which is part of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and is a member of the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Primary Care Women’s Health Forum.
“It can be difficult to access help with managing the perimenopause and menopause via the NHS at present due to the time and workload pressures in General Practice as well as some health care professionals not being up to date with the current evidence on the safety and benefits of HRT. Private one-to-one menopause care can be very expensive and therefore out of reach for most women.”, shares Dr. Juliet Balfour. “The Bia Care model offers a new option for perimenopausal and menopausal women, providing evidence-based information in a supportive and secure group online environment. Experts can discuss menopause and HRT, leading to an individualized HRT prescription if indicated, plus give advice on looking after the pelvic floor, eating healthily and other lifestyle factors. I’m thrilled to be joining the team at Bia Care to help expand this model to help women from all over the UK improve their current symptoms and long-term health.”
Fernanda Dobal, CEO & Co-founder of Bia Care shares “We are delighted to have brought on an expert of the calibre of Dr Balfour onto our team as Chief Menopause Officer to help us further our mission of providing personalized and science-backed treatment to women. We have worked hard to create one of the largest knowledge bases of perimenopause and menopause experts to inform our treatments, and Dr Balfour’s experience of delivering menopause treatment within the healthcare system is truly invaluable. Her leadership will help ensure that we are implementing best-practice, clinical excellence, and truly meeting the challenges and frustrations that we are trying to address as our virtual clinic grows.”
