To think that religion shouldn't come into contraception advice?

[Sugarmuppet]

or am I being terribly nieve?

Having grown up in the country in the middle of no where, religion has never been a part of my life. Everyone just go on with everyone regardless of what religion you were. The question just never came up.

I recently moved into a very 'catholic' area of Glagow, my husband and his family are all practicing catholics. What an eye opener!

I joined his Doctors practice. Had nothing but great care during my pregnancy. Didn't even know it was a 'catholic' practice. Went today to get some contraception advice, I had eclampsia and the consultants at hospital warned me against going back on the pill. Anyway, my Doctor today says 'we are a Catholic practice. It is against my religion to deal with contraception requests, please go to your local family planning clinic'

Is that the most ridiculous thing you have ever heard?

How backward! Leave immediately and find a practice more suited to the modern world.

jeez louise.

I don't know about the legality of this but do anything you can to complain. MP, MEP, Health Board etc. We don't want to end up like the USA where there are whole areas you can't get contraception. IMO you can't be a GP (paid with taxes) and not offer these kind of services.

Totally and utterly bonkers.
Religion has no place in medicine.

one of my GP's doesn't advise on contraception but it his personal stance, not the practice's. he advises you to see the other GP.

Well, I don't agree with your doctor's opinion, BUT - I understand that doctors who have a moral objection to abortion are allowed to refer you to another doctor rather than deal with it themselves. So I guess this is following the same pattern (not that I think contraception and abortion are the same thing).

Not just me then? Told OH and he was that I had even asked the Doctor! He might have warned me! Just as I would never in a million years have expected it, he would never have in a million years not expected it.

I don't think you can complain as I imagine they are allowed to practise in whichever way they want as long as it's within the law. But yes, definitely find another practice.

sugar how on earth did your DH happily let you go in knowing you would get that response? surely you spoke with him beforehand about contraception and had agreed to see the gp?

i always went to FPC for contraceptive advice, anyway (don't need it now, though, DH had the snip).

I have to go against popular opinion here and say YABU. If you have had great care from them you would be foolish to leave because of this. They have supported you in your wish to be advised on contraception by advising you of where to go. If you have a local family planning clinic and they can do this for you, do not give up the other great care at your GP.

I think they can decide in private practise but there should be a separation of Church and State and they are paid by the State. When I worked for Social Services I supported people's right to religious expression. I am an Atheist and didn't refer people on to religious Social Workers. Even if I don't agree, I am paid to do a job and that includes meeting people's spiritual needs.

agree serendippy. i prefer to use this GP despite his refusal to discuss contraception. he is otehrwise a great GP. teh other one has no people skills at all. plus i don't need any contraception at the minute and when i do i will go to FPC.

But being selective about medical issues on the grounds of religion is not giving great care.

Would you agree if his religion advocated female genital mutilation and his opinion was biased towards that?

scurry, he wouldn't be advising that in the UK. i am sure tehre are lots of things GPs hold opinions on that differ from what their patients think, it doesn't make them bad GPs.

I was taking DD to Doctors and thought I would ask. I have always used the pill and have been putting off finding out about anything else.

I won't leave the practice as it really is fantastic compared to my previous one. No appointments, you just turn up between 9-12 and 5-7 and you are guarenteed to be seen. (my other Doc you had at least a weeks wait) I had such a shitty pregnancy and a premature birth, the care I got was outstanding.

Just very as it had never crossed my mind before. I just about fell off my seat! Fair enough if that is their view, I respect that and will go elsewhere for contraception but really in this day and age? Especially as I have been advised not to have any more children because of my difficulties during pregnancy, its not even my choice.

It makes them a bad GP if they allow personal views to influence their medical opinion. I know my example was extreme but I want to be assisted medically not spiritually by a doctor.

I was quoting the OP with regards to the fact she states she received 'great care'. If she was unhappy with her care overall, I would suggest she moved.

I do not agree with pushing of any religion or religious practices. I don't think the GP did this. As far as I can tell he advised her of where to go to get advice and did not tell her she was a bad person.

If a patient is not happy with the opinions of her GP, whether or not these opinions affect the care given, the patient has the right to change GPs. If the OP disagrees strongly with the fact that this GP has a religious belief that will mean she has to go elsewhere for part of her medical care, she can opt out.

No, she didn't make me out to be a bad person at all. She was very matter of fact about it. It just took me by surprise.

Many places exist to help you medically and as long as you have access to all the medical care required, I don't think it matters whether you have to go to a GP, chemist, A&E, health centre etc.

People that do not support safe sex should not be allowed to be GPs. This is a secular country and an NHS paid for by us all, there's no room for this sort of dangerous attitude.

That is totally ridiculous imo. However there is a rumour that one the GPs at my local surgery will not book/refer or whatever anyone for an abortion after I think 14ish weeks because he thinks it is unethical. He simply refers the patient to another doctor within the same practice who will.

I'd find a different doctor if it was me. He may be catholic but it is none of his business on a moral front as to why you want to go on the pill. You have had health issues with pregnancy before so want to avoid that happening again. Fair enough I'd have thought, and the best to avoid it happening again is not get pregnant!

Sugarmuppet, I appreciate that you are not complaining, more that you found it odd, but I think this is because of the dwindling numbers of practicing Catholics in the UK. It is not that far-fetched an idea, it is just unusual to hear it voiced by people with a scientific background, isn't it?

he didn't let it influence his medical opinion. he refused to give an opinion and directed OP to soemwhere that she could get information and access to contraception. he didn't tell her it was bad or wrong he just said he couldn't offer her that service.

If someone is a good GP and will support safe sex by advising you where to go for advice, I don't think we should be trying to get rid of these people.