Is it really ok that some GPs can refuse to prescribe the MAP

Anita, why do you think that doctor treated my daughter like she did then ?

is it standard to give a teenage girl her own swab to take home ?

genuine question

Its completely standard, as I understand it midwives can also refuse to work in certain areas of the discipline too. This isn't new. Some HCPs (and that includes pharmacists) do not cover those services, as a matter of conscience.

Personally I'd rather be treated in those matters by someone who wasn't going to judge me, so I really don't have a problem avoiding those practicioners.

I think the thrush case is entirely different in that a) its easily diagnosed without a swab and b) not related to sexual activity in any case.

I think it should only be OK to refuse these services if the woman can virtually immediately be seen by a health professional who can provide the relevant advice/care.

IIRC the MAP is q expensive - £30 or so at the chemists, so not everyone could afford it.

Here's a recent GMC document on Personal Beliefs and Medical Practice.

Those who lecture on stupidity, or those who provide inappropriate treatment, are in the wrong and should be reported.

OP (or other well-informed posters): how many GPs/other HCPs have opted out? The NHS is already short of GPs; right now even a minor set of departures would just add to overstretch problems.

i know a head of family planning service who refuses to refer for abortions due to her religion she passes women on toher colleagues.

I have no objection to GPs and other health professionals opting out of these things.

I would be very angry if they didn't instantly refer patients on to someone who did.

Although totally prochoice, I do accept that abortion is killing a potential person and I wouldn't ask anyone to do that against their will.

However, it isn't right that a HP should use their position to lecture venerable women.

What??? This is crazy. Both are fairly standard issues a GP will come across regularly. I'm shocked they could get away with refusing treatment.

HCPs are allowed to opt out of contraception services as individuals, but PCT must ensure that services are readily available.

As long as the services are indeed available in the Trust area as they should be (and if not, give them hell), then I think this is an area best left alone. The exercise of conscience is inherent in medical ethics and practice, in both beginning and end of life issues and in the treatment plans in many types of case.

I am very far from a doctor-basher, and in actual fact have been in some right scraps on MN when defending them (in general) but I do not agree with this.

My daughter was not treated optimally when she had a thrush infection when we saw a particular one. She sent a teenage girl home with a swab to do her own vaginal swab, fgs. She's never even used a tampon and had no idea what to do.

The reproductive system of the female should not be subject to religious causes, IMO.

Sorry msrisotto - thought I was giving some practical information that might have been of interest.

There is a notice on the wall in my GP surgery that certain of the GP's will not give advice on contraception and TOP.

It is allowed, as long as there are other doctors in the practice, I believe.

slug that's absolutely appalling

It's something I think I want to know about my doctors, now. I think I am going to ask next time I join a surgery "and will you prescribe me emergency contraception or abortion without lecturing, judging, or obstructing the course of treatment?" - because frankly if the answer is no, I'm not sure I could trust them as my doctor...

I thought that you could buy the morning after pill (the 3 days after variety) at chemists without prescription for several years now anyway?

I didn't realise that the GPs had to claim religious reasons for refusing to refer for abortion. I thought that some GPs with no religion also do this?

Absolutely. First, in my experience, they lecture you on your stupidity and selfishness, then refuse to refer you, then obstruct the transfer of your medical records making it difficult for you to change doctors.

I don't know msrisotto, but it looks as if you now only need to pop into your local Co-op for the MAP according to today's paper

www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9618015/Five-day-after-pill-to-be-sold-at-chemists-without-prescription.html