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?

I think that the practice should not be a 'catholic' practice. Fair enough a particular doctor may not want to offer the service for religious reasons (however mad that sounds to me as an atheist) however they shouldn't refer you elsewhere. Someone else in that practice should be set up to offer contraception. Fair enough there are FPCs, however if yours is anything like the one in Gloucester, you may well not be able to get an appointment for weeks.

I would ask to speak to the practice manager.

FWIW, doctors may choose not to deal with you if you have an abortion. When I had one my Dr was a christian and did not refer abortions. However he couldn't have been kinder - he said 'you have to see Dr X who deals with terminations, she has been specially trained' and he arranged for me to see her straight away. I only found out afterwards that he refused on religious grounds. he didn't make me feel bad at all - he was utterly professional. As it should be.

Weird? MIL lives in Glasgow, is Catholic and told me she had the coil fitted about 100 years ago. She did ask the priest first apparently and he said it was OK . Religion has a lot to answer for.

By not offering a common,legal and safe service, the doctor is passing judgement indirectly.

"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. "

saffy, the GP didn't ask why OP wanted the pill.

Presumbably the stupid doctor would rather let you die due to a dangerous and preventable pregnancy?

Too ignorant and stupid for words.

Saffy I have no problem with that. I understand that people who can be excellent HCPs still struggle with moral issues. As long as their actions are not preventing people getting the medical treatment they want/need, I would have no issue.

I can accept GPs opting out of abortion issues on moral grounds. I can just about see that an individual doctor might object to giving contraceptive advice. But to say 'we are a Catholic practice' seems wrong. A whole practice that won't do FP? .

Malificence what an out of proportion post. The GP told her where to go to get advice and contraception. The GP was never going to hand it to her personally anyway, she would still have to go and get the prescription from the chemist so would not have been immediate. I have seen no indication that the doctor wants her to die.

Bloody hell, how ridiculous. OK, some GPs do have moral objections to abortion* but contraception, FFS? That's basic healthcare and any practice that isn't prepared to offer it shouldn't be allowed anywhere near NHS patients. Good grief, what a horrible attitude to women - they may as well come out with it and say 'get back into the kitchen, preferably barefoot and pregnant'.

The GP's personal morality should not be used as an excuse to obstruct access to healthcare for their patients.

I'd be tempted to complain to the General Medical Council. Haven't looked up the Duties of a Doctor but you could find it on their website.

(They should NEVER obstruct access to healthcare - should refer to another doc without trying to insult/harass/distress the patient. Sadly not always the case.)

Wonder if MIL ever used contraception? 7 kids, prob not! lol Might have to bring the issue up over Sunday lunch... {grin] maybe not!

Coming from a very Catholic part of the West of Scotland, I've never heard of a "catholic" practice. FWIW, I am a devout Catholic and I've never come across this sort of thing at all.

I'm not sure how it works with contraception but I know that doctors can refuse to refer for an abortion, but if they do so, they must refer you to a doctor who will deal with your request. Perhaps contraception falls under the same rule?

I once gave contraceptive advice to a teenage at the Catholic school I was teaching at. I nearly lost my job. Apparently only Catholics can give contraceptive advice and I was not Catholic.

Pretty mixed views, but not as much shock as I would have thought. I just had no idea...

The Doctor (SHE) could not have been nicer to me. The practice doesn't believe in contraception so I have to go elsewhere. And that was that.

Also, it doesn't come accross as a Catholic Practice, in that it doesn't have St. before its name, as the schools do? Just a well known fact apparently that the 2 GPs go to Chapel every Saturday, so OH refers to it as a Catholic Practice.

I am shocked. I have a mental image of a scared, shy 16-year-old girl going in there having screwed up her courage to ask and being turned away.

I live in Ireland which is HUGELY Catholic. I have attended several Doctors sugeries in my time for contraception and I have NEVER, EVER come accross this, and find it very, very bizarre

"(They should NEVER obstruct access to healthcare - should refer to another doc without trying to insult/harass/distress the patient. Sadly not always the case.)"

she did refer her onto the FPC. and i don't think OP said she felt insulted/harassed/distressed.

Katey1010 Not turned away, redirected.

"The practice doesn't believe in contraception "

No wonder their maternity care is so good

Nope, just shocked!

I suppose just as MIL would be shocked if I suggested she had anything else but fish for dinner on a Friday!

Serendippy. Redirected out the door. It wasn't, come with me to this other Doctor who will meet your needs. It was go to the FPC. People you don't know, who aren't in the building. I get that the services are available but I just don't think it is acceptable.

Redirected to another building, yes. But if a scared 16yo turned up at the FPC she could be told to come back another day for an appointment. Turned away.

YANBU. It's completely wrong that these doctors are allowed to inflict their fuckwit superstitions on their patients. You, OP, are an intelligent, articulate adult able to shrug it off and go elsewhere: these bucketheads have a duty of care to those of their patients who are frightened and embarassed and took ages to screw up the corage to ask for contraceptive advice and who do not need a lot of imaginary-friend bullshit placed in their way.

You know what would take the pressure off the FPC and make them less likely to have to make appointments for another day... GPs who did their job.

That is true, its not even in the same part of town. I will feel uncomfortable going, I imagine a young person would feel even more so.

Said to OH that he is going for the snip...'and you think Dr X will refer me for that?!' was his reply. I suppose he is right.