Practise nurse withholding the pill without a smear test? (TITLE EDITED BY MNHQ)

[hoomans]

I've just been for a pill renewal appointment with the practise nurse at my GP. I turned 25 last month so have only just come onto the smear screening radar and she informed me that the new rules mean that she can only supply a weeks worth of contraception until I have a smear test and if I continue without having one they will refuse to prescribe it altogether. Surely they can't do this? I haven't declined and I've booked an appointment to get it done but surely this shouldn't be the case?

What new rules did they quote?

She didn't quote any she just said the new rules to try and get and get people to attend for their smears.

I was told this in the 1980s when I first went on the pill. Thought it was bizarre then.
So my first penetrative experience was with a speculum - lovely.

Smears are completely voluntary they shouldn't be enriching compliance by withholding the pill?

That should of course say enforcing not enriching 😂

There is no such national rule that precludes prescribing the pill while a smear is overdue. If there is such a policy, then it is either at area or practice level and you can ask to see the policy/rationale. AFAIK there is no clinical evidence base for such a policy. To be honest, it sounds more like someone has got the wrong end of the stick!

DOI: GP Practice Manager

So they think it is ok to coerce you into a medical procedure by witholding contraception? That is beyond fucked up. Make a complaint.

How bizarre! I’d complain if I were you.

Surely that could just lead to unwanted pregnancies. Sounds bonkers.

@Doggydreaming

So they think it is ok to coerce you into a medical procedure by witholding contraception? That is beyond fucked up. Make a complaint.

This

I was told this about 10 years ago. I thought it was a bit dodgy then but was planning on getting a smear anyway and couldn't be bothered to challenge it.

Nil UKMEC CI to commencement of any contraception and smear test.

The only CI is insertion of IUS IUD in the context of irregular bleeding

Not the answer for everyone but I buy my pill privately online to prevent the palava of having to go to doctors. As long as you've had it prescribed by doctor in the first place, most of the online providers will give you a repeat with an up to date blood pressure reading. £24 for 6 months worth. For me worth it for time saving/time off work etc.

Contact the practice manager right now.

You could also look up your local PALS and get them involved.

That's fucking scandalous. Absolutely and utterly scandalous.

Ask for a copy of the policy, speak to the person responsible for the initiative in the practice. Smear tests and obtaining the pill are two seperate issues. It's like saying you can't have your contraceptive prescription unless you've been to the dentist in the last six months. It's your choice, and you should not be coerced into procedures you don't want in this way. I reckon if you dig a bit deeper they will back down.
NB I'm all for regular smear tests, but also all for personal choice

That doesn't sound right at all, I didn't even know they made 1 week prescriptions of the pill. (At least not the combined pill). Ask to speak to someone else!

It's important if you take the combined pill to make sure you have your smears as the pill very slightly increases your risk of cervical cancer, so this might be where she's getting confused?

It's given me the boot of the bum to get one but I feel like I've been railroaded into it and I don't agree with the principle of it. What about people who have experienced trauma and abuse? What if they just decide to stop getting contraception due to the fear? I don't think this is going to achieve what they want it to achieve. I think it will just lead to more unwanted pregnancies. It's taking away peoples voluntary rights and feels a bit like forced consent as they've got you over a barrel.

I don't take the combined pill I take the mini pill.

That's shocking!!

Not the point, but I also buy mine privately. I’m on the mini pill so no requirements for blood pressure readings either.

Tip I'd like to broadcast far and wide, when the nurse offered me the option of holding the speculum myself it made a massive difference. Please ask for this at your smear test.

That said, no one should be coerced into any medical treatment, least of all a smear test.

Just
The GP is a male, right?

To be honest, it sounds more like someone has got the wrong end of the stick!

Ouch!

Go to the walk in centers for contraception, they do evening slots to make it more available.

The local CCG is better to contact than PALS (they'd likely tell you to try CCG first), or the Health Board if you're in one of the devolved countries.

Was it the doctor or the practice nurse that told you about the prescribing? If it was the nurse ask to speak to the practice manager & Lead GP.

It was a female practice nurse probably mid 40's ish.