To think they can't withhold the pill

[Whatshallidonowpeople]

Unless I go for a smear? Which is pretty much what they told me.

Why would you not go for your smear though?

Have you had BP and weight check

I'm not necessarily saying I wouldn't but after an awful experience previously I'm reluctant.surely that's my decision?

Yes to bp and weight

Complain. This is completely unacceptable.

Your dr can refuse to prescribe to you for many reasons. If you don't want to follow their advice, you can get the pill elsewhere.

That's pretty common practice. Please go for a smear. OK it's not a spectator sport but it's 10 minutes out your day every 3 years that could save your life.

Well of course it's your decision - just as it's the prescriber's decision not to prescribe any medication in situations where they have clinical concerns.

It's not the gp, it's the clinic

I've never had that experience here but when I first moved to the US my new doc wouldn't prescribe the pill until I had both a pregnancy test and a smear. (both of which I had to pay for.) I could kind of understand it as they don't want to be held liable for prescribing something that could cause damage if you were pregnant, and they feel a responsibility to ensure people have smears. If, however, your smear isn't due (i.e. you've had one in the last 3 years) then I'd agree they are wrong. (But happy to be corrected by a HCP who knows better than me!)

That's outrageous.

What exactly did they tell you though? How are they conflating the two?

But an unwanted pregnancy would be better?

I can't take the pill any more but if I could and my GP surgery tried to pull a stunt like this I would just get my pill from elsewhere.

But an unwanted pregnancy would be better?

Presumably you know what condoms are, or where you could go to get another dr to prescribe for you, or even not have sex when you have no contraception?
An unwanted pregnancy would not be your drs fault.

Because I'm having side effects which started when I went back on the pill and they seem reluctant to believe it is the pill.

So your dr is doing their job and looking after your health then?

Not have sex?? Are you people mad?

Which is pretty much what they told me.. But is this exactly what they told you? I would speak to them again and ask directly 'Are you saying that you're refusing to prescribe the pill unless I have a smear?' and they answer 'yes', then you should complain to the practice manager.

Of course having a smear is a good idea, but it is your choice.

Previously I've had a Dr snip a bit off my cervix and then try to cauterise without anaesthetic and had the cheek to write low pain threshold on my notes

If they have been that specific and won't prescribe you the pill unless you have an unrelated medical test then that is wrong. I would complain and go somewhere else if you can.

She would only give me 3 months and wrote on the system that I must have had a smear before getting more

Yes they can stipulated conditions. There are probably reasons for the conditions. You can of course go elsewhere. There will be somewhere else that will prescribe the pill without a smear. But maybe first find out why they want you to have a smear.

So your dr is doing their job and looking after your health then?

By that rationale, your GP should be able to snatch your cigarette out of your hand if he sees you smiling in the street? Prevent you from buying five sausage rolls in Greggs?

It is a HCP's job to encourage us to look after our own health, but I don't see how they can force this sort of procedure on you.

Unsure why they’d withhold contraception on the grounds of you refusing an entirely optional medical check-up. I would advise you have a smear but I don’t think your doctor has any right to do this.

I'd ask the clinic if that's their written policy, and if it is, ask why you must have an unrelated test to access a further prescription. Then complain, and go elsewhere.