Clinic recommendations

[Lovemybunnies]

I have been treated by Newson clinic for about 3 years and always been happy with them but the cost of the blood tests has now gone up and I am looking at £400 pounds per appointment altogether plus my £75 pa prescription fee and that’s to see a nurse rather than a GP. Can anyone recommend a better value clinic please?

Rather than a clinic, as such, you could also choose a private consultant gynaecologist who deals with menopause. They will always work from a 'clinic' but that tends to be private hospitals where they have availability on certain days each week. Fees vary but they all usually work on the basis of a full fee for the 1st appt (anywhere from £250-£350) and a reduced rate of around 75% for follow ups, every 6 months or longer.

As an 'aside' my consultant does not do blood tests because they are unreliable for estrogen. I appreciate many clinics do but it's not necessary for women on HRT.

Your other option if you have 'simple' meno/ prescriptions is a private GP who deals with menopause and HRT.

Thank you. I have to have the blood test for testosterone and seem to desperately need it so will have to keep having them. I will look at both those options thank you.

I see a private menopause clinic who are brilliant. They are called Health in Menopause (they do online). They have very experienced doctors. I get my blood tests done locally for much cheaper (Randox in John Lewis). Every 3 months or so. (Mainly to check testosterone).

With the clinic I had a couple of consultations initially then you just switch to 6 monthly check ups. Then there’s the cost of the prescription every 3 months.

I’d be looking to see if you can get a blood test cheaper somewhere else.

It also depends @Lovemybunnies on why you chose to go privately in the first place.

Is there a reason?

Because I need testosterone and because my GP surgery turned me down for HRT three times and put me on anti depressants instead.

Thank you @Delatron I will have a look at them.

@Lovemybunnies Did you manage to change clinics?

I was with Newson for the last 6 years until April when I decided to ask my GP instead as the prices were shooting up. I was initially refused hrt due to previous breast cancer which is why I went to Dr Newson in the first place, but I've since changed practices and I thought gps were becoming more educated on menopause etc.

Since April I have had oestrogen prescribed without a problem but now, after asking for my testosterone to added to my prescription it has flagged me up. I realise I can't have Androfeme but presumed they could prescribe an alternative. However, after a phone consultation the Dr isn't happy with me having any HRT at all. She asked me when I was going to stop my hrt, to which I replied never and then said how Dr Newson's words of you can take hrt for ever "sent cold chills down her spine"!! So as she is a locum she will speak to another doctor to decide what they will do, in the meantime my regular prescription of oestrogen has been rejected on the nhs app.
I have never met this doctor and have no idea of her age but I can guess...

Anyway I'm now online looking where to go next if her meeting with the more experienced doctor doesn't end well.
I had a couple of consultations with a really lovely doctor at Newsons who left and has now set up the Manchester Menopause Hive, I think that might be my next step but I thought I would check in case you found anywhere less expensive.

Hi I work for a company called Myvia Health which was founded by a doctor who used to work for Newson.

Our aim is to provide high quality menopause care but at a more accessible price we’re very transparent about our fees. Here’s our website

myviahealth.co.uk/?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwMv4bFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpzn91dw1Swk_OBVPdXvDDR8C0pv-MYkWqkW2iuAgWflGnlZY1rJgl2SzySHT_aem_BokMEW_m2tpyRDTb-exScg

@seasally I had an appointment with a very sensible, knowledgeable nurse from My Menopause Centre and it was a lot cheaper than Newson clinic. My GP practice gives me everything apart from my testosterone which I am getting via the clinic. I’m sorry I didn’t see your post before now.

These guys are good - I had terrible pelvic pain and for the first time in my life, I am few from pain. Just don’t know why I waited so long to sort it out having been dismissed for decades by GPs https://www.clairemellon.co.uk/fees

Free from pain not few :)

Thanks for that, at the moment she is happy to prescribe me the max nhs dose of oestrogel which is 4 pumps,( I was previously on 5) and has told me to go privately if I want to continue on 5. I have been given a one off prescription for testosterone so no doubt that will be another fight when that needs renewing. I'm grateful for the clinic rec as I can see me needing it in the future.