My doctor doesn't "do female problems"

Firstly a GP should be able to at least know issues of various groups, they don't need a specialism.

Secondly they can refer on so that's not really a reason.

I'm assuming the GP was a man.

I'm wondering if there could be a few things at play here...

False allegations in the past may have happened and make doctors may be very nervous re gynaecology if they've had that occur.

Current investigation may mean that GP can't do certain examinations etc. This isn't common but can happen.

Religious beliefs. We had a doctor who wouldn't even shake the hand of a female colleague, let alone do a physical on a woman's abdomen/pubic area even w a chaperone etc.

I suspect the receptionist was VERY clumsy in how they worded it.

I'd have asked why that was the case and pushed the point.

Yes, but none of your examples correlate with OP's. Her post is about a GP refusing to deal with "female problems" - that is not the same as the receptionist saying they have a GP who specialises in Gynae problems and it would be good to book in with them (OP has stated she has no idea if the other GP in her practice specialises in anything).
We have a large GP practice and I know the senior partner is a skin specialist, (as is one of the newer GPs) so my experience when I had a skin lesion was similar to yours - I saw a non-specialist GP in the first instance who then booked me in for an appt at the senior partner's next skin clinic. The receptionist didn't tell me that I couldn't book in with the first GP I saw because "she doesn't do skin problems". OP's male GP is actively refusing to deal with "female problems" which is outrageous - he's a GENERAL practitioner and should deal with all problems, in the first instance, before referring to someone else if appropriate.

I am sure this is exactly what she was saying.

Nope. Have you never heard of GPs having areas of interest / focus?

I had a male GP refuse to examine me when my coil felt wrong
Ended up in a&e for hours later that night as my coil was half expelled
Waste of time and money when he could have checked and even referred me or sent me to someone else in the surgery to remove it

He shouldn't be able to opt out of 'womens issues '
Id be wondering if it was the receptionist knew that he was shit.
I personally would ONLY want a female doctor for gynae issues And i think its probably going to be better for your daughter to have that too, but its pretty crap that the only available doctor this week can't do this.
Id consider changing surgery or making a complaint

I need to phone back next week to make an appointment with a different doctor. I can't book that appointment today though.

I know this isn't the main point of the thread, but this sort of thing drives me mad. Why can't you book the appointment today? What sort of crappy systems do they have that can't make an appointment a week ahead, or do they just not know how you use them.

I remember when my old dentist retired and his practice got taken over by a new, modern outfit. The old surgery was just a little shabby place really but he was an excellent dentist. After each checkup I would ask to make an appointment for 6 months hence and they just got out the big diary and wrote it in. No problem.

New dentist moved to flash new surgery with fancy reception, flat screen TV on the wall and a computerised appointment system. When I asked to make an appointment for my next check up in 6 months I was told it wasn't possible, the system would only allow appointments up to one month ahead so I had to ring back in five months time to do it!. Progress!

My guess is that the receptionist is the problem here rather than the doctor. Lots of practices have GPs who specialise - eg at my practice one GP has a particular interest in musculoskeletal stuff and another takes most of the mental health appointments. I suspect what the receptionist should have said was ‘As this isn’t a matter of urgency and it’s related to periods, I’m going to suggest we wait until next week when Dr Jones is back, as they specialise in women’s health and it would be better for your daughter to see them.’

Open to interpretation. Our GP is also a dermatologist - so for any skin issues, she is the one that will see you (in addition to obvs other issues). Maybe the receptionist didn't word it that well. Ring back and ask for clarification

I heard the other day that it takes a man one appointment to score viagra for impotence, and on average nine years for a woman to get an endometriosis diagnosis after complaining about pain during sex. Yep. Maybe as an experiment OP should call and say her son has a problem with his dick, and see how fast they get an appointment?

GPs are GENERAL Practitioners - the clue's in the name. Yes, there are some GP's who have developed a specialism (like minor surgery) but they will take on specialist appointments in addition to their general appointment work, not instead of. It's outrageous that this GP thinks he can refuse to treat half the population if their issue relates specifically to their sex, and I would definitely be making a formal complaint about him.

*sex based

Just like to add i think we should embrace gender based medicine and have women's clinics set up with specialists all under one roof. Ring fencing half of the NHS spending for females would be great! Imagine the changes we could make with that much £ on specified funding of research!

Did you read the OP to see what she was actually told? She wasn't given an appointment, nor was she told the other GP is a specialist in this. She was simply told the gp "doesn't do female problems" and to call back next week.
Can you not see the difference?
So many people trying to explain this away... baffling.

It sounds terrible BUT I actually kind of respect the fact they are aware of it. Too often I've gone in and a man has dismissed my issues as depression and they've been far more serious.

I tried numerous times to get a gynae appointment with my gp practice. I needed a face to face but found the receptionists reluctant to allow appointments. When I finally got one, it was cancelled on my jouney in and I was not offered another appointment. I had waited 3 weeks.

I had to go through the rigmarole again and yes it was cancelled on the morning again.

I spoke to the rude, unsympathetic manager who felt it was my fault for not being indepth enough about symptoms. She said I would have to wait again, I had waited six weeks by now. She then offered me an appointment with a non binary gp. I took it. They were great. Told me my appointment could never be done over the phone and referred me to hospital.

How have things got to this.

Just a thought, have you been on the practice website, see if they outline who does what? Maybe there is a nurse practitioner who deals with smears, contraception etc. "female" stuff, and you are going to get referred to them?

Say what? The OP tried to make an appointment, was told that the best doctor wasn't available until next week.

I rang for my osteoarthritis, I was told you need Dr X, I can give you an appointment in two weeks.

And the difference is .....?

With respect, I don't agree. Whilst this may be considered a "period problem" by the OP at the outset, it could be end up being a more complex Gynaecological
issue that needs a greater depth of knowledge and diagnosis by someone with additional training and skills.

I would be happy to wait.

Ask your daughter. I think she’d rather wait.

I'm not being funny OP but if he didn't want to deal with them he shouldn't have become a frigging doctor! You don't get to pick and choose. Complain or remain part of the problem.

One of the most common complaints from young women re: periods is about flow/pain (according to our GP).

IME they don't do a vaginal exam, and the first port of call is usually pharmaceutically based.

A male GP should be able to handle this, even if he needs to check thr NICE guidelines and the BNF.

If it were anything more involved then you should have been able to make an appointment without having to call back.

How irritated I'd be would be influenced by when DDs next period was due, and whether she'd manage to see someone beforehand.

I would be writing to the practice manager.

With respect, this isn’t the same. Half the population will have periods and therefore period related issues. It is every GP’s responsibility to be knowledgable on this.

But presumably that was explained to you? Rather than you being told, "don't do hands. Try again next week"

I would definitely complain.

Although having spent several hours of my life in the GP offices of male doctors who have no clue at all what they're on about, at least he's upfront so you don't waste your time!