My doctors surgery still won't provide contraception

[Tittie]

The only suitable contraception left for me is the coil, but my doctors surgery won't fit one because of covid. But they will let me have a smear. But they can't fit a coil while they're down there, so to speak.

But I can go to the pub for a piss up and take the kids to soft play. I can eat at a restaurant without a mask, I can have beauty treatments, but I can't have a coil fitted while both me and the HCP are wearing PPE.

Argh!

That’s stupid. Is there a local sexual health clinic?

My GP doesn't fit coils. In our trust, it tends to be the sexual health clinic. Sexual health services are operating and offering face to face appointments as needed (I work in one). I would contact your local sexual health/family planning clinic instead and ask what their policy is at the moment. Realistically, many are struggling with reduced staffing and capacity for appointments due to social distancing, but at least find out what's possible.

Most surgeries are now back up and running offering this service. Maybe another surgery local to you is offering it?

This is really fucking me off, when you think of the risks to women's health from pregnancy / unwanted pregnancy.

My doctors surgery is also the local sexual health/family planning clinic. It looks like I'll have to travel further afield then. My area is a bit crap for accessibility to...basically anything so I'm not sure where else to go.

Some of the rules and restrictions just feel arbitrary. If I were to have an unexpected pregnancy because I couldn't get hold of contraception, I then wouldn't be allowed DP to accompany me to scans. But we could meet in the pub afterwards for a (0%) pint without a mask.

I wonder how easy it would be to access an abortion at the moment.

For me an unplanned pregnancy would be manageable, we have the finances, good health (touch wood) and emotional headspace to cope with one more child, but there are so many vulnerable women who just don't need this shit! Really makes fucks me off too.

They may not have a member of staff who is qualified to fit coils.

They had several people who could do it last time I had one fitted @Ocies , the lady on reception just said they're not offering that at all at the moment. She didn't say it directly, but I gleaned that it's not viewed as essential as other services, and I was advised to keep phoning them every two weeks until things change.

I agree this is really strange and unfair on patients.
Could you try asking for a phone call with a GP to discuss this? You are saying this is the only form of contraception available for you so surely they would make an exception in these cases?

I've been calling my sexual health clinic trying to arrange my coil change but every time its the same answer. "We're not doing them at the moment, we might do in a few weeks - call back then". Which is the same line I'm getting from my dentists too.

Wonder how many unwanted pregnancies the nhs will be paying to terminate or though to full gestation that are kept due to women not wanting abortions but wouldn’t of normally had a baby right now but cannot get contraception.

But you know it’s only women’s issues.

This is annoying how inconsistent it is everywhere, I just had my coil fitted a few weeks back.

I would formally complain OP. Not about any individual member of staff of course, but that they aren't providing a very basic service. If anything, it might make them reconsider.

I was on the depo jab until
May and then was basically told you’re going on the pill. No options or discussion. The friends I’ve spoken to who are with other surgeries are in the same boat, unless they have a medical condition that means this would not be a safe option.

I'm feeling particularly belligerent at the most after answering that bloody stupid survey on menstruation that doesn't give 'woman' or 'female ' as a 'gender' options. So - contact the local press. You're right the rules are arbitrary and contradictory.
My dentist has figured out how to do filings so it must be possible to work at the other end

That's 'at the moment'

Ridiculous. Just something else on the ever-growing list of things and services that have been on hold due to covid, despite being nothing to do with covid.

It's not ideal but could your OH wear condoms in the interim?

Ridiculous AF!

Time to flag this up to MP.

Please also write to your MPs as it is fecking stupid - www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/

I had mine renewed about a month ago (I'm in Scotland but I don't think this is something the legal aspects differ on). Admittedly, coils were the last thing our sexual health clinic re-introduced and it was difficult to get an appointment but got one in the end.

I did have to travel a bit for it (wouldn't usually) so you might, too, but they are 'allowed' to insert/renew them.

It’s because women and our health doesn’t matter!! It’s chronically under funded as it is!! Hard enough to get an appointment at the best of times!

Tell me about it @Jimdandy , when I first got the coil fitted, pre covid, I had to wait 3 1/2 months for a fitting, and that was after an initial consultation which I had to wait 3 weeks for. Good job I didn't need it for emergency contraception at the time!

Thank you for the link @RedRumTheHorse , I am drafting a letter now I don't have high hopes for my local MP who seems to care not for anyone who isn't a white, heterosexual, multi home owning, British born, able bodied, rich, male.

And yes we can use condoms and have been for months now...but honestly, they're crap, and not foolproof, and don't we all deserve to have good sex that doesn't result in another baby (if we don't want one)? It is having an effect on my sex life and relationship.

Our local sexual health clinic and doctors are not doing coil or implant insertions at the moment.

They say that you can rely on the implant for 4 years and if you've had yours less than this they won't do anything (except free condoms). If you've had it more than 4 they will give you a progesterone only pill but not offering anything else.

I have the opposite problem, they won’t remove my implant. SIX MONTH waiting list (so they will, but not until the new year). My sexual health family planning place pretty much laughed at me for thinking I could just get an appointment. Apparently you have to sacrifice your first born, win an Olympic medal and default lord voldemort first.