Is it really ok that some GPs can refuse to prescribe the MAP

[msrisotto]

Or refer for abortions? They are legally protected due to their religious rights.
Just coming out of the thread where two gay chaps were refused a double room at a B&B due to the owners religious bigotry. B&B owners lost the legal battle as they are running a business and are not legally allowed to discriminate against who they provide a service to based on their sexuality.

But GPs are allowed to refuse a particular service to women on religious grounds? Is that ok? Really? Anyone?

5madthings, then she was breaking the law and professional guidance (unless her objection was to do with the dangers of the older style of coil...?)

what counts as 'timely' tho?

i really think when you register with a gp you should be TOLD if any of them hold this view and then you can avoid seeing them, women should NOT be put in the position of having made an app and then having the treatment refused.

Prom, I have answered it already, and it is entirely unrelated to abortion.
Also, doctors train specifically to carry out vasectomies so most would refuse on the basis that they are not qualified (I hope!)

she didnt mention dangers she just said she morally objected on the grounds of it stopping implantation of an embryo and she said she woudl refuse the map etc as well. i think my reply was something like 'thanks for nothing' and then i made an app with family planning.

She would have been in trouble of you had reported her.

All the practices I've been registered at have always had a sign up that says 'please note: Drs. X,Y and Z do not provide contraceptive services'. Its always done discreetly but in a way that is very obvious you are better off getting a different doctor!

given that i was 20, had a baby and was trying to finish my degree reporting her didnt occur to me and i assumed she was legally able to refuse in the same way they can with map/abortion. was a long time ago, so no idea if she is even still working, i am not using that surgery anymore. i did make sure never to see her again tho!

none of mine have ever done that anita they shoudl tho, well in relation to map/abortion. it was bad enough having to deal with the nurse who was vile to me for getting the map, the fact that we HAD used a condom and it had split didnt stop her from being awful about my need for the map and we had ds1 by that point as well, i am sure that made her more scathing actually, she obviously thought i was just a feckless and irresponsible.

Anita, it is the same at my surgery, to be fair

(doesn't mean I agree with it though)

prom, one of the GP's at my surgery has a sign saying they will give no advice on contraception and TOP

And really, they can't "refuse" they have to refer you to someone else.

I'm really surprised 5madthings I've seen it in a few practices, and I thought it would be standard, makes perfect sense to me!

I suspect that the vast majority of practices don't have doctors who would object, hence they don't have the signs?

it would make sense that it was standard, however i have been at a few surgeries and never seen it!

yes they have to refer you on, but that isnt always practical for many reasons and they personally are refusing to treat you, even if they dont say anything they are making a judgement and a woman will feel that.

as i said i will be asking my gp practise if any gps hold this view so i can avoid seeing them, i will be interested as to if they will tell me!

you would hope that is the case clemette

At the GP surgery I used to work at there was a female dr who would not refer patients for abortion due to her catholic faith. She did, however, refer the patients straight to a colleague (whilst they were still in the surgery) for further consultation. She did provide patients with contraception advice though, even though that also goes against her faith, because (in her own words) "prevention is better than the cure".

We didn't have a sign up saying not to see her if you wanted an abortion though!

Ok, so what is wrong with the idea of making it compulsory for GPs to be obliged to make it very, very clear that they are opposed to abortion and the MAP? How could it be 'discriminating' against them? If they hold such fuckwitted beliefs, they should be proud to stand up for them. All it would mean is that patients who need to access these specific services don't have their time wasted. It wouldn't cost anything.

WHY IS IT NOT ALREADY LAW?

Happy aww, I've been away doing bedtime, but what a nice thing to say :) I'm just a lucky, lucky woman who's aware that things like this, which would be an inconvenience and an annoyance to me, could seriously destroy someone of fragile confidence or shattered self-esteem or difficult financial circumstances, specially since that woman is already in a horrible, horrible situation.

I think you should know what you're signing up for, when you sign up to see a Doctor. It saves the Doctor's time, it saves your time, and no one needs to hear (or give!) a lecture. The Doctor's conscience/morals are never so much as ruffled, and the women get the care they need from someone willing to actually provide it.

I've no idea why it's not already law. Or, rather, all the ideas I have are rather dark thoughts about people actively wanting to shame and upset vulnerable women. If you don't want to do that, surely you make it clear and obvious what aspects of female healthcare you will and won't provide to all potential patients.

On the blog and now really have to run off and make zombie plan fridge magnets.

I agree with Solid and Blackcurrants, more effort needs to be made to ensure women seeking MAP and or TOP receive the same standard of care, including avoiding unnecessary delay as any other patient.

I don't personally think they should be allowed to work with women f they have those views..