Can your GP refuse you a certain treatment because they don't believe in it ?

gorgeous_gwen

Ask for a referral to see another doctor. Not sure exactly what meds you are talking about and what for obviously, but it's perfectly fine to see another doctor about it, be it another GP at the practice or to see a cosultant/specialist/etc.

I had a 'disagreement' (lol) with my GP, whom I actually rate highly as they go, because he wouldn't prescribe a certain medication whilst I was breastfeeding because of any potential side effects to my baby.

I would have been happy to take it, given the reason I wanted it and the research I had done through various channels, but he made it clear that as long as I was breastfeeding, there was no way he was prescribing. I understood his reasons, as he explained, but in the end we had to agree to disagree. A GP is under no obligation to prescribe if they do not feel it is appropriate.

mountainofdebt

Are we talking about not giving treatment because the doctor doesn't believe in it - eg the morning after pill - or not giving treatment because they are not convinced it is appropriate?

If the later then I would expect an explanation as to why and if the former then I would be mighty annoyed.

Broken_hearted

A doctor can refuse to let a paitient have an abortion because they don't believe in it not sure about other things though.

mymatebob

Broken_hearted wrote: »

A doctor can refuse to let a paitient have an abortion because they don't believe in it not sure about other things though.

A Doctor may not "recommend" someone for an abortion but they cannot actually stop a person having one.

Broken_hearted

No they can refuse one but they can recommend the person sees another doctor if they wish to go ahead.

DKLS

You may have some other contra indicated illnesses or symptoms which could affect what drugs they offer.

Agutka

DKLS wrote: »

You may have some other contra indicated illnesses or symptoms which could affect what drugs they offer.

Maybe, but then that would be explained and not a problem wouldn't it?

Ephemera, LOL at the tied to an elephant bit, never heard that before.

My mum is a great believer in research, which worked great with her former GP, she'd just go and ask him for this that the other and get it. When he retired, his replacement knew better and her consultations often ended rather unpleasantly. Oh how she hated him .

My own GP is the 'come back in three months time' sort and I don't trust her much. They can't know everything and they don't. I try to be informed and talk things over with her and we always agree in the end.

I wish the NHS was a bit more on the prevention side, or fixing minor chronic ailments, rather than just prescribing drugs and hoping people will just go away.
Brilliant as they are at the biggies, like hearts and cancers :T

i_wanna_save_money!

My doc won't prescribe cough medicine for the kids - he says they don't work. I personally think they do and just buy my own.

onamission_2

Undersized_Rascal wrote: »

about 10% of a drug company budget is spent on R&D and 30% on marketing & admin....( those % may be slightly off but there is a very skewed proportion spent on marketing)

if you did some research first you'd find its a lot higher than 10% on R&D. otherwise there would not be any new treatments in 10 years time.

Mojisola

poppyscorner wrote: »

I want to know if anyone knows whether there is anything I can do about his refusal based on his opinion one of the drugs is always in the media hailed as a great thing and he hasn't reasoned with me about it at all.

Why not write to him asking that he gives you his reasons for refusing?