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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be so upset? GP surgery told me I would be removed from their list if I don't have a smear test

290 replies

veryworried29 · 12/02/2014 16:06

Namechanging uber-regular here.

I received a text from my GP surgery which said "Please confirm address by phone. If not you will be removed from surgery list."

I rang immediately and was told that if I don't come in for a smear test then I will be struck off the surgery list!

Dh and I have been with this surgery for 18 years and our children since they were born.

I don't feel I need a smear test. We very rarely have sex and when we do it is always with a condom. I have had years of clear smears before me.

I find them horrifically unpleasant, in the same way that some people are phobic about the dentist, infact think I may have a form of vaginismus (sp?) hence the lace of piv sex.

Tbh, it almost feels like I must agree to be raped (sorry for emotive language, but this is how it feels to me) in order to keep a place at my GP surgery.

I cannot begin to describe how upset I am about this. There have been tears.

I'd be grateful if you could bear this in mind when replying ... I know this is aibu, but I do feel I have a genuine aibu to run past you all with this one.

OP posts:
ohfourfoxache · 12/02/2014 16:22

Sorry, that was to Theo

Damnautocorrect · 12/02/2014 16:22

They sound incredibly heavy handed and I would complain as ultimately it is your choice.

I had my first one at 17 when I was a virgin, I cried it was awful, genuinely I understand your concern. But my most recent one was ok. I look at it that the late treatment and threat of death is worse.

Theodorous · 12/02/2014 16:23

Also, just in case it is relevant, I have a retroverted uterus and never managed to have a successful smear in the UK with practice nurses, now I see a OBGYN doctor and it is painless, bloodless and they haven't told me I am "not right" like the cow at my GP surgery.

TheTertiumSquid · 12/02/2014 16:23

This is utterly outrageous and I am furious on your behalf, veryworried.
There is no way they can carry this out. It is completely your choice whether you have a smear test or not and no-one can force you to have one. It may be a good idea to have one, but you still retain autonomy over your body and the ability to make informed consent. All screening has a balance of costs and benefits which should be explained to patients so they can make their own decision. Ask the practice if they will be striking off patients over 50 who don't attend their mammogram or who don't send in their bowel cancer poo sample.
You need to take this to the highest level in the surgery (practice manager or one of the senior partners) and complain. If they maintain their stance, then you can complain about them to NHS England. See here www.nhs.uk/choiceintheNHS/Yourchoices/GPchoice/Pages/GPcomplaints.aspx

eurochick · 12/02/2014 16:24

I find this pretty outrageous tbh. Participation in any screening programme is voluntary. I participate in the screening programme (although I have some doubts about it) but that is the choice I have made. Ask to see the legal basis on which the Health Authority is ordering GP surgeries to take women who don't want smears off the list. Ask if they are also doing the same to men who refuse protrate screening. I'll eat my mouse if they can come up with a credible response.

littlemrssleepy · 12/02/2014 16:24

Health authorities don't even exist anymore. They are talking bollocks. Ask to speak to the practice manager.

betman · 12/02/2014 16:24

Although I do think the practice are being unreasonable for threatening to strike you off, you are still at risk. One smear is definitely preferable to the invasive treatment you would have to go through if you did get cervical cancer.

Theodorous · 12/02/2014 16:25

That is so sad. I wouldn't take from people who are entitled. I chose to move away and would never expect the NHS to pick me up. I have full insurance.

WhosLookingAfterCourtney · 12/02/2014 16:26

Theodorus Hmm

Original poster
veryworried29 · 12/02/2014 16:27

Thanks all. I really don't want to debate the question of the smear itself. I know all the arguments.

It is this issue of threatening me in order to make me comply that I have such difficulty with.

My lovely female gp has retired and I don't know any of the other gps there.

If I go and get the smear done I will honestly feel as though I am being abused in some way. I know that sounds ott, but I am a sane, free, adult. Why should I have to comply??

OP posts:
shouldnthavesaid · 12/02/2014 16:28

With vaginimsus they shouldn't pressure you. I have vaginismus and have been completely removed from the smear recall list, have all necessary internals with the same GP (if not, then GP plus at least one nurse or at hospital under sedation and anaesthetic).

Smears are important but for some they can be utterly terrifying and excruciatingly painful - I screamed the last time I had to have an internal as it was so painful.

I would talk to your GP, perhaps it could be that in order to have the smear they might be able to refer you for help at family planning or at gynae etc.

Just to say as well, we have a thread over in general health called 'fudging Fanjos', can link if you want - we all have numerous gynae problems and are a v sympathetic bunch, if you want any advice :)

middleagedspread · 12/02/2014 16:28

I don't think they can remove people from their lists without good reason.
Everything is targeted nowadays; blood pressures, baby imms, smoking status etc. The end of year is coming when the juicy payments are made & they're trying to achieve the target.
Hold your ground and ring the PM/PN and explain.
BTW, the idea of having a smear is much worse than the reality. It would be sensible to go if you can make yourself.

BirthdayMuppet · 12/02/2014 16:30

You don't have to comply. But you do need to know and accept that are consequences to that decision. I know nothing of the legalities of the act of the threat itself, nor of the content of it, but should it turn out to be legal, then you need to make your decision in knowledge of that.

LEMmingaround · 12/02/2014 16:31

That is outrageous :( I am someone whose smear test saved my life - i had cervical cancer that was caught just in time. I am not going to lecture about the risks other than to say that just because you use a condom etc and aren't very sexually active it doesn't mean there is no risk but this is your body and your decision, to threaten to remove medical care to force you into something that you don't feel able to do, just so they can meet their statistics is disgusting.

And i agree with your point - people who smoke are far more of a drain on the nhs and risk to themselves that folk who refuse a smear test - so if you are to be struck off, so should they!!

LaGuardia · 12/02/2014 16:32

If the OP is unlucky enough to develop cervical cancer then there will be a lot more than a speculum inserted there. Any woman, who has ever had sex, is at risk of developing cervical cancer. And if you ever meet anyone who is unfortunate enough to be dying of it, you will vow to never ever miss a smear test again.

SoonToBeSix · 12/02/2014 16:33

You are wrong to think you are less at risk however I understand your fear re smear tests. I was referred to my local women's hospital and had a smear in a special clinic where they gave me gas and air. Why don't you ask if you can be referred .

LEMmingaround · 12/02/2014 16:33

Oh and do you know what really boils my piss - i was on yearly recall and am now on 5 year recalls even though i begged them to do yearly smears, apparently after 10 years my risk is no greater than someone who has never had abnormal cells/CIN. Then there is my DD, aged 23, been sexually active for some years - no smear for her until she is 25. I was diagnosed at 27 :( Angry All that, and they are pressuring women like you who make an informed decision not to have one, its madness

Floggingmolly · 12/02/2014 16:34

You are at risk of cervical cancer if you've ever had sex. Being currently celibate doesn't lower the risk to any significant degree.

expatinscotland · 12/02/2014 16:35

I would change surgeries.

LEMmingaround · 12/02/2014 16:35

LaGuardia - you are not big on tact are you! Hmm I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for smears but i am not going to start lecturing someone - thats a horrible post.

mummyto2boysandagirl3 · 12/02/2014 16:35

From what another poster has said about ur condition I completely understand y u don't want it done so I apologise for telling u they were important and I think I said it sounded unpleasant for u know it seems down right painful and I don't blame u!

They can not leave u without access to a gp it's unreasonable. I hope u just got an idiot on the phone and they get a telling off when u escalate it they can't lie or bully anyone in to a procedure. Sorry this has upset u and hope it's sorted soon

RedToothBrush · 12/02/2014 16:35

I believe it is actually illegal for them to do this, on these grounds because it is trying to get you to consent to a procedure using undue pressure. I would complain in writing pointing this out.

It also goes against all the guidelines on removal of patients from GP lists. You should not be removed from a GP's list for making a complaint or fail to comply with treatment. A GP needs 'reasonable grounds to remove' you. You might want to read what the GMC say about removing patients
www.gmc-uk.org/guidance/ethical_guidance/21160.asp

The GMC specifically state that removal of a patient due to choice:
• refuses to participate in locally or nationally agreed screening programmes (e.g. cervical screening)
Is not acceptable or appropriate.

I think you should make a copy of the letter and complain both to the GMC and to PALS.

Cervical Screening might be important but it should not be compulsory and doctors should not bully you as it is highly unethical and damages the relationship between doctors and patients as it totally undermines consent.

YOU HAVE A CHOICE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOUR GP, I OR ANYONE ON THIS THREAD THINK YOU ARE MAKING THE WRONG ONE.

shouldnthavesaid · 12/02/2014 16:36

To be honest that's sort of why I'm glad at 22 that I haven't had sex yet...

I wonder if, and I'm not trying to be trivial, you could sort of practice at home? Love Honey sell cheap plastic speculums online which might help, if you can practice inserting it with your partner in the comfort of your own bed? Could try just inserting it to start with, followed by very slowly opening, doing breathing exercises at the same time. You could even use some relaxing lubricant (e.g one designed for the back passage), obviously you couldn't use that for the smear itself but you could at home and get used to the sensation? Quite similar to what they suggest in psychosexual counselling.

Original poster
veryworried29 · 12/02/2014 16:38

Its alright, I understood there would be some posts like LaGuardia's. I'm ok.

OP posts:
specialsubject · 12/02/2014 16:38

threatening to remove you is a bit extreme.

but I remind you that undetected cervical cancer kills and your risk is not lower than anyone else's who has ever had unprotected sex. Your kids need you and that means you need to look after your health. If you are going to refuse tests (which you have a perfect right to do) are you also going to refuse treatment?

I suggest asking for help to deal with the background issue. Not 'snap out of it', not 'get over it' but to get help.