Is Newsom Clinic the best? Any others?

[trunumber]

Mum has started on HRT (Everol patches) which really help some things but she's having other side effects. I've agreed to look into and pay for a private consultation with someone who can offer expert advice on the best treatment options.

Mum is in the north west but I guess everywhere does virtual now so any recommendations are welcome

thebms.org.uk/find-a-menopause-specialist/

There are lots of other specialists around. It depends a little on what your Mum's issues are. Dr N is a GP, with expertise in menopause, so she's not as qualified as a gynae consultant. By that, I mean she can't offer surgery or other investigations which someone might need, so she would refer on.

My understanding at the moment is that although consultations are virtual where possible, most drs will want to see women in person when it is possible. They might also want to do BP readings or even examinations.

It depends on what side effects she has and if her GP has offered any advice.

Thank you. She had break through bleeding but that's because she wasn't using it properly. She's undergone full investigation for that with an NHS gynaecologist- the took away some tablets she was taking and gave her the coil (which she isn't liking) and discharged her,
She's also experiencing high levels of irritability and anger outbursts and so she just wants to know what other HRT options there might be.

I found the Newsom Clinic excellent!

That's good to know, maybe it's worth the 3 month wait.. I don't know

I waited a lot longer than 3 months and had a virtual consult at start of January this year and I’m so glad I waited. I feel like I’ve made a fully informed decision re my HRT. Feel better on it already.

That's really useful to know, thank you

Can I ask how much a consultation is?

I paid £275 for first consultation.

For those looking for a much cheaper but still very knowledgeable private gp Diane Danzebrink and Hazel Hayden are both great.

Both significantly cheaper and provide the same service. I used Dr N btw and wish I hadn't. I thought it'd be a really personalised experience but they still recommend Oestrogel and Utrogestan as a first line for many. I'm perimem and a friend 20 years older in menopause had the exact same recommendation.

@Perimen

For those looking for a much cheaper but still very knowledgeable private gp Diane Danzebrink and Hazel Hayden are both great.

Both significantly cheaper and provide the same service. I used Dr N btw and wish I hadn't. I thought it'd be a really personalised experience but they still recommend Oestrogel and Utrogestan as a first line for many. I'm perimem and a friend 20 years older in menopause had the exact same recommendation.

@Perimen Diane D is not a GP.

She is a menopause coach/ counsellor. She advises women on what's available but is not medically trained.

@jinginghellsbells yes I should have said she's a menopause therapist specialist and charges £75. She will then send a letter to your gp asking them to prescribe. Considering medication is of course on top of Dr Newsoms fees Diana would have saved me over £250 if I'd seen her

@perimen The only issue with that is that GPs are not obliged to prescribe on the recommendation of anyone, even consultants. They can ignore requests.

It means that if another dr suggests medication and the GP takes over the prescribing, the GP has the responsibility then for monitoring it and reviewing. This can be a problem as GPs aren't always up to speed with the drug regime.

I went private and my GP is happy to prescribe the cocktail of hormones that I got from my private consultant. I only went to my GP after some trial and error with the consultant to get the right mix for me.

@JinglingHellsBells know two women who went to Diana and both had great results. Diana didn't even charge extra to speak to one GP on the phone

It's only GPs at Dr Newsons clinic anyhow. They don't offer anything different to any other specialised private gp. Other private GPs again excluding the services I mentioned are also likely to be able to offer the same but cheaper

I'm not sure Diane is what we need, I want an expert in medication and how they interact with each other

@Perimen I'm not sure it's in the spirit of things to criticise Dr N or any Dr really :) She is a GP specialising in menopause. I know a lot about Diane B so don't want to get into criticising her, but just point out her role. I think Im right in saying that because of her counselling work with menopausal women, she's taken the BMS nurses' training in menopause/ HRT so she can help offer advice. She also set up the petition #makemenopausematter to bring it to the government's attention and has been to the House of Commons etc. So she's a good egg all round but a GP would be within their rights not to do what she suggests.

Most consultants and menopause GPs suggest Oestrogel and Utrogestan as it's seen as the safest available at the moment for some women. But for other women it doesn't work so well and they need others to try.

I’ve been under their care for 2 years now and I love them. I see Rebecca Lewis, who is Dr N’s partner in the practice. They are taking on new GPs all the time to try and reduce the waiting list.
I do take Estrogel and Utrogestan, which I could get from my NHS GP but I am prescribed such a large daily dose of Estrogel that it is classed as off-license prescribing. I also use their testosterone cream, imported from Australia, which is formulated for women and not available on the NHS.
I live sufficiently nearby to visit for yoga (which is fabulous) and also to attend their various events (pre-COVID). I am a little evangelical about them but it is not an exaggeration to say that they have changed my life.

@trunumber the gp I saw at Dr Ns clinic wasn't that experienced. I would personally send my mum to a consultant rather than any private gp and you wouldn't be paying much if at all difference. If you go down the Dr N route make sure you explain at the time of your enquiry you are looking for a more experienced gp who can give advice on different medicines and get the clinic to confirm in writing the gp has more experience.

You should also keep in mind who will prescribe the medications after the apt because it can get expensive privately.

This is why I'd go for a consultant instead as they have more experience and clout with a GP.
If possible you may want to search on Google for your mums Trusts medication formulary as that may give you an idea if whatever the gp or consultant recommends could be prescribed by your gp on the NHS. Good luck.

I'm amused how defensive you are of Dr N @jinglinghellsbells. The OP asked if the clinic is good so I answered sharing my thoughts. Hazel Hayden is a very competent gp and would be my first choice for a private gp.

Thanks everyone, I do appreciate all view points. This may seem odd but I'm a bit disappointed that there don't seem to be any recommended consultant gynaecologists, which feels more what I had wanted. I hadn't realised the Newsome clinic were GP's

People pay for the service they want @Perimen. :)

A lot of women don't need to see anyone privately at all, because there is so much help on forums. They can go to their GP asking for a type of HRT if they think it's worth trying.

The benefit of seeing a dr privately is usually worth it if someone has a complicated medical history or wants ongoing help with meno-related health issues. Private drs can prescribe off licence so the dose is tweaked (NHS drs aren't allowed) and they can also refer women to other specialists easily if there's a need for scans or whatever. If the dr is a consultant, they can provide all round care, for all gynaecology issues (mine does my smears, for example) so it's all about choice.

@trunumber The BMS has a full list on their website- it's under Specialists. If you open the links it tells you who is at that practice or clinic and their qualifications.

Miss Whitcroft, Guildford is the consultant gynae I saw following a few recommendations here. Really good.

I see Ms Whitcoft too and imo she totally rocks. I’ve never felt so good since before I had children.

Thank you, do you know if she does remote sessions (mum is north west)