If I make a complaint about my GP refusing to prescribe medication

Sadly society has created this though with its blame culture. Frequently people try to blame others when they have been told or it is common sense, i.e warning on a cup of tea that the contents are hot.
You may be sensible and understanding of the potential consequences but many wouldn’t be - would be told and then if something went wrong, blame the Dr.
We have a very strong jump to blame/complaint rather than discuss. I appreciate that you are saying this is challenging but not impossible - you need to wait for an appointment.
I hope it all works out but don’t blame a Dr who I bet is frequently lied to - I have cut down my alcohol intake, I don’t… etc.

So the OP can't have her medication because she might have an affair ? Fucking hell.

The GP doesn't have a right to insist on the OP taking any contraception. He can set out the risks and ask her to sign to confirm that she has been told. That is the extent of his professional obligation to her.

If he wishes to not prescribe because it would conflict with his beliefs, he has a duty to refer her to another doctor - he can't just say no.

Honestly OP, I'd just agree to the contraception in order to get your meds. Let him prescribe it, you don't need to actually take it.

www.pharmacyregulation.org/standards/guidance/sodium-valproate-resources-and-information#:~:text=From%2031%20January%202024%3A,reproductive%20risks%20do%20not%20apply.

The medication might not be valproate but here is an example of how strict the guidelines are for that medication as an example

But if the medication is going to effect her eggs, surely it will effect them even if she's on contraception. How is the pill going to protect her eggs?

Your gp 100% retains the right not to prescribe - their signature their choice.

if your neurologist wishes you to have the drug then they are welcome to prescribe it for you. That means physically sign the script and not try to instruct someone else.

You wouldn’t be the first ‘happily married’ woman to become pregnant elsewhere.
Given the judgement against the folic acid Dr - I can see why the gp is reluctant.

Thankfully they are taken into account in very specific circumstances like this- for equally obvious reasons- precedent set By the thalidomide scandal. This is about not recklessly endangering babies in utero- yes women do this themselves every day by virtue of lifestyle but expecting Medical professionals to be reckless is entirely another matter.

I don't think anyone is wanting to force a woman to have hormonal contraceptives that she doesn't want but the government has recently issued new and very strict National guidance for valproate and this issue is in sharp focus right now.

Many women were prescribed medications that caused birth defects without adequate explanation of the risks or any offer of mitigation eg birth control. Just a vague mention of that being a side effect has not been shown to be enough. People don't always recall that conversation or their circumstances change. There needs to be a proper serious documented conversation/ a disclaimer signed and annual reviews.

The GP is just trying to abide by guidelines and prescribe safely and I really don't think they should be pilloried for that given the adverse effects that the guidelines were brought in to deal with.

I did a quick Google and what immediately came up was high risk of neural tube defects. I can see why he doesn't want to risk prescribing it without you being on contraception and he is within his rights to do so.

The husband infertility thing is a red herring, marriages do end, people do have affairs, he can't take chances and make a judgement call on the likelihood of this happening, he doesn't know you.

Neural tube defects can be horrific. Anything from a cleft lip to spina bifida or even holoprosencephaly. Google an image of a child with Cyclopia and I think you'll understand. If you are currently pregnant or don't have a strong constitution I suggest you do NOT Google cyclopia. Its not a sight you'll forget in a hurry.

the logical thing is a conversation with the GP and they would actually listen. Not sure why they are being difficult. I’m on two meds that aren’t compatible with pregnancy. I also have serious risk factors for both hormonal birth control and the coil. My husband had a vasectomy. GP wrote that in my file and prescribed my meds. I think I also volunteered that I recognize in the extremely unlikely event I found myself pregnant, I would have to terminate.

maybe it would help if you had your husband’s actual medical records showing he is infertile. Might be worth asking the GP if that would be sufficient.

Surely a conversation with the GP is the way forward?

Does he know your husband is infertile - if not - surely he's doing the right thing to not prescribe this drug if there is a risk of you becoming pregnant ?

No GP is personally responsible for a patients pregnancy unless he inseminated her himself.

It's the GP's role to outline the risks and to obtain a disclaimer if they wish. It's is barbaric to refuse a female patient medication for her current health on the basis that it's risky to an as yet, non existent and may never be conceived, foetus.

Women should not be treated as 'pre-pregnant' or as if their capacity for pregnancy outweighs their health needs. Her interests always come first and as long as she is fully informed, she has the right to make her own decision on the risks she is prepared to take and whether she wishes to use contraception.

This was my first thought too tbh!

So they are refusing you because you currently have a functioning reproductive system?!
That does sound bang out of order. I guess they can say it's bad in pregnancy, but it makes it seem like every woman of child bearing age would be denied it? They can't force coils and stuff into people surely?
You shouldn't have to, but I'd just say 'well I don't have penetrative sex with men' I've had to say that when they demanded to know why I knew I wasn't pregnant. It's not their business.
I'd definitely complain.

Christ almighty. Do you honestly think you and the Op know better than then making this decision with all of his training and the fact that you know his entire life, livelihood and financial security of his family can depend on a decision being made like this if he was to make the wrong one?

You are entitled to request a change of GP or an 2nd opinion from a colleague. There is no rule that says you just have to accept whichever GP you happen to be allocated.

I spend a lot of my time attending GP appointments with service users. It's astonishingly common how many people feel they don't have any sort of understanding with, or feeling of trust in their GP. Requesting a change is usually accepted without any fuss, and I've had plenty of GP's themselves say to the patient that they agreed a change was probably in the best interest of everyone.

I can see why you would feel the GP's response here is a bit patronising or condescending, but personally I don't really think it's a "complaint" level issue quite yet.

Make an appointment and speak to the GP. The neurologist put me on something that does the same. My GP spoke to me, I am assuming they noted on my files we had to consult and I have the medication. Each year the surgery send me a letter reminding me not to get pregnant and if I am thinking about it to book an appointment to discuss this. I am not sure how they think they can help with my dating life, but hey ho.

Potential unborn children do not have a right to be protected. This is not the Republic of Gilead.

I take medication that causes birth defects, I also can't take hormonal birth control and I'm unwilling to have a copper coil.

I had a bit of a job initially but I was very firm that I am an adult, can advocate for myself, and if I was to get pregnant I wouldn't keep the baby.

The medication is bad enough as it is, I'm not being forced into BC methods I don't want as well.

I think it should be the neurologist's responsibility to prescribe this as the specialist recommending the treatment.

So take the appointment in 3 weeks then?

Ask the neurologist to prescribe it
They are recommending it so presumably they are happy to accept responsibility for prescribing and they can write to the GP again saying why they feel it is safe to depart from the guidance.

That is just appalling beyond words. It's like you're mentally defective and can't be trusted without taking forced contraception.

In light of all the above, I understand complaining. I think I would in this situation now you have highlighted all the above. I'm sorry if you said but I have had to go direct to consultants for prescribing with some similar issues.

@Sconesandgravy your neurologist is at fault for not doing the necessary paperwork regarding pregnancy prevention, issuing the first prescription then handing over the the GP to continue.

This is what I would do