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Original poster

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

204 replies

hoomans · 13/01/2022 16:47

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?

OP posts:
Original poster
hoomans · 21/01/2022 09:35

Oh and when I went in the room she said 'oh , you came then' almost accusingly like she was expecting me not to turn up

OP posts:
Metallicalover · 21/01/2022 09:36

@TheViewFromTheCheapSeats that's absolutely disgusting!!! I would complain! As a nurse I don't even notice if people have pubic hair or not! It's natural!

JuergenSchwarzwald · 21/01/2022 09:37

Mandatory smear tests indeed..... there's a bit of a worrying trend towards the concept of "mandatory " being applied in many areas at present which is infantilising and liable to push people away from potentially beneficial things due to lack of trust and coercion

and how dare anyone tell a woman that she should be forced to have a speculum shoved up her vagina. Are people on glue, to coin a MN phrase?

BingoNinja · 21/01/2022 09:38

Not at all unusual in my experience sadly, have had the same thing happen to me - including one nurse who rudely and repeatedly demanded to know my reasons for avoiding a smear for a few years, to the point that I left the appointment in tears. Like many others, I switched to buying the pill privately online solely so that I didn’t have to deal with judgemental, pushy nurses anymore - I can honestly say that I’ve never had a positive experience. Nursing in particular seems to attract a lot of bullies sadly.

JuergenSchwarzwald · 21/01/2022 09:38

@ProudThrilledHappy

You ought to complain in writing to the practise manager. Her attitude is terrible, I have a lot of fear around smears but my local nurse is fantastic, very reassuring and careful. Your smear experience should not be like that at all
I agree, she sounds like a complete cow. Definitely complain in writing.

As you get older they can get more difficult (sorry as I know you are young) and the second to last time I went, the nurse made me feel like a wimp (though she was not nasty like yours). Last time the lady could not have been kinder. It is possible to get something unpleasant done without the person doing it being unpleasant too!

Tomeeornottomee · 21/01/2022 10:06

This has pissed me off on your behalf. How dare she! Get onto the surgery right now and ask for the name and email of the practice manager and the name of the nurse. Write an email detailing EVERYTHING you’ve just told us. Here is a link to the NHS page which has the constitution for England and complaints procedure info.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-constitution-for-england
Hope you feel ok now. And I’m sorry you’ve had to go through this.

WetLookKnitwear · 21/01/2022 12:10

This warrants a complaint
They’re trying to increase the number of women getting smears because the practice will get more money, gp practices are paid by hitting certain targets.
Yes you often need certain checks BP etc before being prescribed contraception but not a smear test. It’s dishonesty on the part of the GP practice to make you think you need a smear before getting the pill and they shouldn’t be doing this.

Original poster
hoomans · 21/01/2022 13:07

I'm feeling a bit sensitive at the moment but I may make a complaint about her when I feel upto it. I think she was unnecessarily unkind to me.

OP posts:
BlessedBeTheFruitCake · 21/01/2022 13:15

She sounds awful and very unprofessional. Her comments about you shaking are not acceptable, definitely put in a complaint.

bedheadedzombie · 21/01/2022 13:29

@hoomans

I'm feeling a bit sensitive at the moment but I may make a complaint about her when I feel upto it. I think she was unnecessarily unkind to me.
She absolutely was! I'm sorry that this happened to you. Have a cup of tea and process what happened first. You deserve to be treated with respect.
WetLookKnitwear · 21/01/2022 13:43

I’m not surprised you feel a bit sensitive. They haven’t treated you properly. Sorry op.

Original poster
hoomans · 21/01/2022 13:57

I mean i will probably have the courage to go back and get it done by somebody else in a few weeks but what about the person who doesn't and it puts them off forever?

OP posts:
Cameleongirl · 21/01/2022 14:06

I agree with asking for a copy of this policy, don’t take her word for it.

But, I’m quite surprised to read on this thread that many people are ordering the pill online and not having blood pressure checks, etc. It’s abit risky, IMO, I don’t have medical training, but I would think it’s better to be monitored while taking any type of hormone-perhaps someone in the medical field can weigh in? I had a bad experience with one pill that was later proved to massively increase the risk of clots/thrombosis and was taken off the market. I’m glad my doctor kept me informed and switched me to something else.

WetLookKnitwear · 21/01/2022 14:17

Sadly it does happen, people are put off by bad experiences like yours op. Healthcare professionals know this and that’s why we’re taught how to make people comfortable. I’m sorry that your nurse didn’t get it right. I’d feel uncomfortable too in your position.

doodledigs · 21/01/2022 14:24

I experienced this about 10 years ago

Its an odd one but . Get the smear.

DearDoggos · 21/01/2022 14:25

So I think blood pressure check and/or weight check may be required on an annual basis (some forms of contraception are nor advised for high BMI or high blood pressure as increased stroke/clot risk) so I could understand needing to be seen by a nurse. But there is no rule or guidance that realistically needs you to have a smear before contraception is prescribed. If you had gynae symptoms such as bleeding, pain, excessive pain etc then again you need a gynae referral, not an HPV screen which is all a smear is now for most parts of the UK. It may well be a practice policy but its a stupid one if so!

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 21/01/2022 14:43

@Cameleongirl

I agree with asking for a copy of this policy, don’t take her word for it.

But, I’m quite surprised to read on this thread that many people are ordering the pill online and not having blood pressure checks, etc. It’s abit risky, IMO, I don’t have medical training, but I would think it’s better to be monitored while taking any type of hormone-perhaps someone in the medical field can weigh in? I had a bad experience with one pill that was later proved to massively increase the risk of clots/thrombosis and was taken off the market. I’m glad my doctor kept me informed and switched me to something else.

I do it because my blood pressure is through the roof when I'm in the surgery and the nurses won't accept a home reading. Last time I saw a nurse she insisted on repeating the blood pressure check over and over again 'until it went down'. What the stupid woman didn't seem to realise was the more she did it the higher it was getting. In the end I made an appointment to see my GP, who told me not to bother with the nurses in future and see her instead. Sadly she retired so I'm back to square one so it's easier to order online.
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 21/01/2022 14:44

Also the prescription request is checked by a qualified doctor so the only difference is not seeing someone face to face and that's highly unlikely these days!

Dixiechickonhols · 21/01/2022 14:49

There’s obviously a complete break down of trust between you and her. Just ask for another nurse. If she really is the only one then see if there’s a contraceptive clinic - I’ve had a smear there in past. It was more convenient as they did evenings.

iklboo · 21/01/2022 15:06

She's a disgrace. I had a smear last week. The first attempt hurt so she stopped and got a smaller speculum and then took it very slowly & gently. She asked if I was ok afterwards and did I need a few minutes to recover / get myself together.

Definitely complain. In writing to the practice manager first, then the local CCG or Health Board. You have the option to go as high as the NMC if you wish. Her despicable attitude could put women off for life. I hope you're feeling a bit better now.

Cameleongirl · 21/01/2022 15:23

@PinkSparklyPussyCat I can understand why you'd do it, it would make me uncomfortable not to be monitored, but we're all different.

warmeduppizza · 21/01/2022 15:25

A nurse tried that with me. I told her I didn’t want a smear, I was a virgin preparing to start having sex, that’s why I wanted contraceptives. I could tell she didn’t believe me (I was 26, I was being truthful though) but she did give me my prescription eventually.

Cameleongirl · 21/01/2022 15:28

I do think it's a good idea to try and have a smear at some point. One of my friends was diagnosed with early-stage cervical cancer at 33, had surgery and made a complete recovery. She had no symptoms, it was good they caught it so early.

VickyEadieofThigh · 21/01/2022 15:33

@WonderfulYou

I’ve never heard of this although I need blood pressure checks every few months before I’m allowed my pill but this seems pretty extreme.

I do think smear tests should be mandatory but I struggle to see the relevance between the pill and a smear test.

"Mandatory"? How do you propose to enforce that, then?
Popcornriver · 21/01/2022 15:43

VickyEadieofThigh

Threats of fines, prison or holding them down perhaps? Absolutely disgusting suggestion from that poster. Wonder if they feel the same about prostate checks.