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

suki1964

Gps take the Hippocratic Oath which perfectly entitles them to refuse to refer for abortion or even prescribe the morning after pill.

Surgeons are also not obliged to carry out the procedure, anaesthetist's do not have to assist, nor do nurses.

All terminations are assisted by those in the medical profession who dont have a moral problem with it. No one is ever "forced" into attending just because they are medical staff

Savvy_Sue

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And is there a different GP practice you could go to, if they're all a bit the same with 'new' treatments? It's not always possible, they have catchment areas too!

Also you say the treatment isn't that expensive according to the BNF, I presume you've checked it is actually a POM, and talked to a pharmacist about whether there's anything similar available OTC which you could try and then have a stronger case for trying the prescription?

mr_rush

if you are exempt from paying prescription charges they yes i would ask my gp for the cough medicine, although i agree that coughs usually go eventually but so sometimes they need that lil bit of help

Cough medicines do not help a cough disappear any quicker, they simply mask the symptoms (badly).

erm isn't that unethical for him to refuse based on his religion?
either he is a doctor or not.

No, this is not the case. If a doctor has a moral problem with abortions then they send the patient to another doctor who does not object to abortions.

As to the OP,
NICE offer guidelines - it is not set in stone. There are many reasons why doctors do not follow NICE guidelines on a variety of problems. Each patient is an individual and blanket guidelines are not always applicable.

It is difficult to comment about your case without knowing exact details. If you really think you need treatment x and the explanations given by the doctors is not enough then you could see a consultant in the appropriate speciality privately (prescription would be a private one) or change practices altogether.

Errata

If the OP's health has deteriorated because they were refused the medicaton they needed, they can complain to the PCT. Or go to A & E.

Magpye

suki1964 wrote: »

Gps take the Hippocratic Oath which perfectly entitles them to refuse to refer for abortion or even prescribe the morning after pill.

I don't personally understand why any doctor would refuse to prescribe emergency contraception, as it is not an abortative medicine. Could the same doctor refuse to give a person the pill or give free condoms, based on their religious beliefs?

mr_rush

If the OP's health has deteriorated because they were refused the medicaton they needed, they can complain to the PCT. Or go to A & E.

Unless it is an acute medical problem, A&E won't do anything. A&E is not a 24 hour replacement service for your GP.

Errata

mr_rush wrote: »

Unless it is an acute medical problem, A&E won't do anything. A&E is not a 24 hour replacement service for your GP.

Quite, only the OP can know what they need to do.

ms_london

Poppyscorner - you dont have to share with us what prescriptions you are seeking, however, it got me thinking.

I have an underactive thyroid, had it since birth which is unusual, and been on the same medication for all of my life, up until last year. At the moment I am travelling & started taking a new medication, which I am still on, and am happier with. It is difficult to get hold of and there is a real issue with doctors not wanting to prescribe it, even though it can be prescribed, is legal etc etc - just an alternative medication and not the norm I suppose.

I can see I will have real issues about this when I get home and it irritates me that I have to fight tooth and nail for something that makes ME feel better. Arrghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

I hope you find your solution anyway xxx

jeannieblue

ms_london wrote: »

Poppyscorner - you dont have to share with us what prescriptions you are seeking, however, it got me thinking.

I have an underactive thyroid, had it since birth which is unusual, and been on the same medication for all of my life, up until last year. At the moment I am travelling & started taking a new medication, which I am still on, and am happier with. It is difficult to get hold of and there is a real issue with doctors not wanting to prescribe it, even though it can be prescribed, is legal etc etc - just an alternative medication and not the norm I suppose.

I can see I will have real issues about this when I get home and it irritates me that I have to fight tooth and nail for something that makes ME feel better. Arrghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

I hope you find your solution anyway xxx

That makes me so mad - my sister is battling to get treatment for thyroid. Doc is sticking by the 'test results' and won't budge, even tho she knows that she needs higher dose. The practise nurse told her to argue with the Gp cos she knows that if threatened, the Gp will back down and listen!

Is that what it all comes down to? Having to argue and fight with your Gp to get the treatment? this country has gone bl**dy mad.

Sadly i have the same Gp as my sis and I've not gone for ages - what is the point?? You are dismissed as neurotic or lazy or stupid - regardless of your symptoms. Which is why the internet helps so much. No one elso gives a damn.

Horace

I once saw a GP in my old practice who refused to prescribe the contraceptive pill - I booked an appointment with him to get a repeat prescription (I hadnt seen the tiny note on the door telling me that he didnt prescribe nor did the receptionists say anything). The stupid man refused point blank saying that it was against his religion because he was catholic. Then I got the you are sinning against God speach.

Needless to say I not only wrote to the General Medical Council to complain about his behaviour and then I changed GPs altogether.