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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

Aargh - the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child are distributing leaflets to GPs

55 replies

LadyBiscuit · 28/02/2011 18:16

This has made me so cross. There was just a piece on PM on Radio 4 about this but can't find anything online. Apparently there are thousands of GPs who have accepted SPUC's leaflet as a way of informing women who are considering abortion about the facts. There was a GP on who was saying that they needed their leaflets because information elsewhere did not provide a true picture.

The SPUC is a lobbying group trying to prevent abortion altogether (let's remember they tried to get the Morning After pill banned a few years ago) and are completely bloody inappropriate as a source of information at a GP's surgery which are supposed to be impartial.

I'm quite tempted to write to the GMC

OP posts:

RamblingRosa · 01/03/2011 09:51

I'm pleased to find this thread. I heard that on R4 too and was ranting and huffing and puffing with rage!

MmeLindt they were clearly from SPUC as SPUC wrote to the GPs first offering them the material.

My GP's surgery doesn't offer contraceptive advice or abortion referrals as they don't agree with it on principle which I was rather and about when I first found out. However, at least they're up front about their beliefs. What makes me angry about these GPs offering the SPUC advice is that they're purporting to give unbiased advice yet handing out this kind of crap. Makes me very

So who should we write to? Is GMC the best bet? What would they do?

weegiemum · 01/03/2011 09:51

I'm not sure I'll ask dh.

It is appalling and it probably just said "SPUC" on the back in tiny writing from what I know of them (I am a Christian and was much more evangelical back in the day, though never to this woman-hating level ....). They also target medical students, and nursing students, which I think is vile. Let people make up their own minds. If you are intelligent enough to be a doctor, you are intelligent enough to figure out what you think without this sort of emotional propaganda!

weegiemum · 01/03/2011 09:52

You wouldn't expat

weegiemum · 01/03/2011 09:54

RamblingRose - if they dont offer any contraceptive advice I think they might be in breach of their contract, and might need to offer an on-site contraceptive clinic run by someone else. Again, I'll ask (my dh's first job was with a GP who only gave contraception to married women. When dh arrived in the practice, he suddenly became exceptionally popular with all the unmarried women in the area!)

Original poster

LadyBiscuit · 01/03/2011 09:55

RamblingRosa - I would think the GMC. Isn't that who Eddie Mair said they had contacted for a comment?

From their code of practice on Personal Beliefs:

In our core guidance, Good Medical Practice, we advise doctors that:

* You must make the care of your patient your first concern ('The duties of a doctor').
* You must treat your patients with respect, whatever their life choices and beliefs (paragraph 7).
* You must not unfairly discriminate against patients by allowing your personal views to affect adversely your professional relationship with them or the treatment you provide or arrange (paragraph 7).
* If carrying out a particular procedure or giving advice about it conflicts with your religious or moral beliefs, and this conflict might affect the treatment or advice you provide, you must explain this to the patient and tell them they have the right to see another doctor. You must be satisfied that the patient has sufficient information to enable them to exercise that right. If it is not practical for a patient to arrange to see another doctor, you must ensure that arrangements are made for another suitably qualified colleague to take over your role (paragraph 8).
* You must not express to your patients your personal beliefs, including political, religious or moral beliefs, in ways that exploit their vulnerability or that are likely to cause them distress (paragraph 33)

Surely giving out this leaflet conflicts with that advice?

OP posts:

RamblingRosa · 01/03/2011 10:00

weegie I think they can opt out of providing contraceptive/abortion advice (on religious/moral) grounds. When I registered at the surgery they did make it clear that this wasn't a "service" that they offered and they give out a leaflet for a walk in clinic elsewhere in the borough.

Fine for me as a grown up who knows about contraception etc but not so great if you're a teenage girl and you've just plucked up the courage to see the GP and you get turned away and sent to some clinic a good 30 mins bus ride away :(

expatinscotland · 01/03/2011 10:08

When I was a teen there was no way I'd have gone to our family's GP for contraception, anyhow.

My sister was sleeping with one of GP's sons and they all went to our church! Yeah, like she was going to walk in there for birth control 'Hi, I'm screwing your son.'

Clinic all the way!

Even our wee town has a sexual health clinic for young people.

Jux · 01/03/2011 10:09

SPUC is a very nasty group. I too have contacted the GMC asking them to direct GPs not to disseminate this misinformation.

RamblingRosa · 01/03/2011 10:20

I guess it depends where you live Expat. I grew up in London and you never saw the same GP twice at the surgery. It was usually all locums. They rarely lived in the area. So there was none of that embarrasment of it being a "family doctor" (or having slept with one of their sons )

freewoman · 01/03/2011 13:41

Handing out those leaflets definately contradicts with the GMC guidelines.

freewoman · 01/03/2011 13:42

I wish there was an edit function.

expatinscotland · 01/03/2011 13:45

Her son laid around like a rug, too! He used to come over when my folks were out and I'd say, 'Hi, doorknob, come on in.'

He'd say, 'Why'd you call me doorknob?'

'Cuz you're like a doorknob. Everyone gets a turn.'

Or I'd call him bike (everybody gets a ride), screen door (everyone gets a bang) . . . all sorts.

He thought it was funny.

RamblingRosa · 01/03/2011 13:46

He sounds like a keeper expat

expatinscotland · 01/03/2011 13:48

He was hot, though. :o

LauraEFC · 02/03/2011 11:13

Hello

I work for an abortion education charity called Education For Choice and thought you might be interested in our latest blog on this topic: EFC Blog

It's great to see that Mumsnet members are concerned about this sort of information being given out in GP surgeries - we'd love to assist you with any actions you may wish to take and I'm happy to provide anyone with more information should they wish. Just email us [email protected]. We speak to young people in schools and colleges where we know SPUC also give out this misinformation about abortion causing breast cancer/infertility.

RamblingRosa · 02/03/2011 11:23

Thanks Laura. What do you think the best action to take is? Email GMC?

LauraEFC · 02/03/2011 17:33

Would certainly be a good place to start: [email protected]

You may also want to write to your local PCT to alert them to this issue.

Original poster

LadyBiscuit · 02/03/2011 21:55

Hi Laura - thanks so much for your post. Excellent idea about contacting our PCTs as well as the GMC (and thanks for posting the email address)

OP posts:

freewoman · 11/03/2011 18:20

This is the reply I got from the GMC. absolutely bl useless.

sn117w.snt117.mail.live.com/default.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0

freewoman · 11/03/2011 18:21

Sorry that didnt work

"The GMC can only consider complaints about individual registered doctors. Our Fitness to Practise procedures focus on the most serious concerns, which call into question a doctor?s fitness to practise medicine and right to retain unrestricted registration ? that is his or her right to work.

We have considered your complaint but as it does not relate to a named doctor this issue does not fall within our remit and we are unable to take any action.

You may wish to contact the Department of Health and explain your concerns.

Department of Health

www.dh.gov.uk/"

freewoman · 11/03/2011 18:22

Of course if anyone remembered or could find out the GP on the Radio 4 program someone could start with him.

LadyOfTheManor · 11/03/2011 18:49

I'm confused- what's wrong with handing out literature about abortions from the other side of the coin? Rather than rounding women up and plucking babies from their wombs, what's wrong with asking women to think twice and providing literature in order for them to do so?

BeerTricksPotter · 11/03/2011 18:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LadyOfTheManor · 11/03/2011 18:53

SUrely the "Go for an abortion" leaflets aren't either.

RipVanLilka · 11/03/2011 18:58

Lady - Because the literature contains false information. It contains lies. It's lying to pregnant women. Breast Cancer is NOT caused by abortion

If GP's had consider your options leaflets with all options covered in an unbiased way, that would be fine. Or even 'alternatives to abortion' as long as there was no coercive language, no emotive guilt trips, and everything in it was true

This isn't the case here

Why do you think it's ok to lie to people to get them to do what you want?

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