A NOTE TO MY CURRENT AND FUTURE PATIENTS

Menopause Clinic Update

I am humbled and honoured that so many of you have trusted me with your care. I value and appreciate your confidence in our partnership. The need for menopause care is high, and so, despite minimal advertising, the forecast is beyond the capacity of a solo practitioner. Patients deserve care that is accessible and available; once a clinic gets busy and large, that becomes a challenge.

I attempted to run the clinic  fully through MSP billing, but due to many layers of barriers, some of which are more impactful outside of larger cities, it was not possible. This is a common issue in menopause care due to the length of appointments and required expertise. I then made some items at the clinic private, but this was always meant to be short term until a solution was found within a fully public model as it goes against a core value I hold in upholding the Canada Health Act.

Menopause care is medical care, it is health care — it is essential and it is needed. Patients should not be required to pay for this service. So, now that I have found a way to offer menopause care without people having to pay out of pocket for any part of that care, that is what I am doing!

So what is the future of the Menopause Clinic?

Dr Malhotra is working on a more sustainable model of care delivery. If you are an existing patient and have not already been referred to another provider please connect with your family doctor.  Please see below regrading options for future care.

Some details regarding Dr. Malhotra’s future clinical work starting late 2026/early 2027, and it: 

  • Is now announced that Dr. Malhotra is joining the Lifestylerx team! Lifestylerx is a well known and beloved service in BC offering MSP covered group and individual care for Metabolic health. Lifestylerx is expanding to menopause!
  • Will be MSP covered menopause care meaning there is no charge to you for menopause visits
  • Will be a consult service and require a referral from your Family Doctor
  • Will NOT have direct booking with Dr Malhotra but she will be working with a  group of like minded health care providers so when you are being referred to Lifestylerx for menopause it will be to the program NOT to an individual physician
  • Will be a mix of group visits and consult visits that are 1:1 with a Menopause physician; when referred to the program, it is for BOTH.  You cannot be referred for ONLY group or ONLY solo visits.
  • Will no be a replacement for the longitudinal care that your Family Doctor provides
  • Is NOT a follow up visit for care received already- a new assessment will be completed for each consult received to the program. You can still join if you have seen someone for menopause care but know, this is a program that involves an intake consult.
  • Will NOT be a complex menopause clinic
  • Will be caring for women 50 and over  for menopause
  • Referral information for the new program will be available in late 2026 or early 2027.

Re: Booking menopause care after July 2026

Dr. Malhotra is NO LONGER taking patients or seeing patients through WestSide Medical. Results that come into the clinic will be reviewed and you may receive a call related to these. 

Westside Medical Patients Please note: 

  • Dr. Malhotra  stopped taking  new patients at Westside Medical  June 15, 2026.
  • There will be no further bookings with Dr. Malhotra directly after  July 2026. Dr. Malhotra has tried for months to ensure as many patients as possible have been  called and made aware of their options including with the Complex Menopause Clinic, Gynecology, Family Doctors and Effica.
  • Dr. Malhotra will be monitoring labs, results, and prescription requests issued at Westside Medical, but it is recommended that these are completed in advance of October 2026 to ensure complete care. If you are unable to get your testing done by October please email menomedico@gmail.com when a test is complete and alert your Family Doctor. 

Alternate options for care include:

For general information about menopause:

Thank you, Dr. Unjali Malhotra

This New Model will Offer:

  • Access, availability, and equity
  • Expert advice
  • Lifestyle menopause care

This New Model will Not Offer:

  • Menopause care for complex cases
  • The ability to book directly with a specific provider