Hundreds of women who rely on “vital” hormone treatment to ease severe menopausal symptoms have written a joint letter to the health organisation which has withdrawn its funding.

The patients at Lordswood Healthy Living Centre are pleading with the Medway Clinical Commissioning Group to change its mind. But the CCG has replied saying it will refer the matter to its “normal complaints procedure”.

A spokesman said : “The CCG’s position on HRT implants remains the same and is line with General Medical Council guidance on prescribing unlicensed medicines. GPs across the country have had similar advice.

“We would like to reiterate our previous message to patients that if they believe there is no suitable alternative to the HRT implants they should ask to be referred to a gynaecologist."

Hundreds of women who attend the Well Women Clinic fear that they will suffer “cold turkey” withdrawal side effects as they are due or overdue repeat therapy. They say the treatment has been "life-changing".

They have the backing of their GP Dr Shashi Singh and Chatham MP Tracey Crouch.
They believe they have “exceptional circumstances and alternative treatment, such as patches, pills and gel, had not worked.

Leading their campaign is grandmother,Val Weedon,63, who has had the implants for six years. In a letter to the CCG penned by Mrs Weedon, she said: “We would like to clarify that there is a real difference between those women who experience a natural menopause and those women who, for various reasons, experience severe menopausal symptoms.

“The consequence of your decision has meant that we have been left distressed, vulnerable and likely to return to a state of ill-health.

“We have been told that it will be like going through cold turkey. We are all dreading the consequences.”