Menu


Menopause Matters Forum

Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

News:

Not a Forum member? You can still subscribe to our Free Newsletter

media

Pages: [1] 2

Author Topic: HRT Scotland  (Read 5154 times)

RA

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 16
HRT Scotland
« on: April 01, 2021, 10:18:07 AM »
I’m sorry if this has been discussed before,but I’m at a loss and need advice.( I live in West Lothian) I’m menopausal and I took months to decide what form of HRT to take. Finally plucked up the courage to speak to GP and ask for estrogel and utrogestan. She informed me that she can’t prescribe utrogestan as it’s not on the list of SMC- scottish Medical Consortium and if GPs elsewhere in Scotland are prescribing it they are breaking the law. She reluctantly agreed to give me estrogel as long as I have a prescription in hand for utrogestan, but the higher powers at the surgery intervened and have said that I’m not allowed to mix NHS and private treatment. So basically I’m back to square one. Can anyone from Scotland who is aware of any of this please give me some advice? Any advice welcome. Thank you so much in advance
Logged

CrispyChick

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1655
Re: HRT Scotland
« Reply #1 on: April 01, 2021, 10:37:32 AM »
Hi

You're right. This has been discussed before... But cabt remember where  ;D.

I'm not on HRT, but seriously looked into it last year avd decided I wanted utrogestan. My GP asked the meno clinic avd was told wgat you've been told. I did however, do a FOI on NHS Lothian and they told me how many times that had been prescribed for HRT purposes. I'll go avd dig it out and post it up for you.

It shows they obviously do prescribe it. I think the word 'illegal' is clearly an over reaction.

How you get round your hurdle, I'm not sure, but hopefully this data will give you something to fight with.
Logged

CrispyChick

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1655
Re: HRT Scotland
« Reply #2 on: April 01, 2021, 10:39:54 AM »
This was my FOI question to NHS Lothian:

Please could you tell me how many patients have been prescribed Utrogestan, as part of an HRT regime since October 2015.


Calendar year
Distinct count of patients per year
2016     142
2017.   157
2018.     211
2019.     266
2020.      280
Distinct count of patients (2016-2020 inclusive) = 495
« Last Edit: April 01, 2021, 10:41:59 AM by CrispyChick »
Logged

CLKD

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 78992
  • changes can be scary, even when we want them
Re: HRT Scotland
« Reply #3 on: April 01, 2021, 11:42:29 AM »
How far R U from the Border?  MayB move to a practice where you may get what you would like to try? [can you tell I've no knowledge of Scottish geography  ::) ]. 

Would a menopause clinic be able to prescribe?
Logged

RA

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 16
Re: HRT Scotland
« Reply #4 on: April 01, 2021, 02:05:26 PM »
Thank you ladies for the replies. I haven't got anywhere yet, seriously considering going private, but the long term expense is putting me off. The GP herself has no problem with utrogestan and understands why I want it as my initial choice of HRT, but I can see myself not getting anywhere with the higher powers of the surgery, stuck firmly in his ways. I couldn't move to near the borders as it's too far away and need to be a at a GP near home. Has anybody used Dr Currie's service and had success?
Thank you again for your replies
Logged

CLKD

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 78992
  • changes can be scary, even when we want them
Re: HRT Scotland
« Reply #5 on: April 01, 2021, 02:06:10 PM »
It might be worth sending an e-mail to Dr Currie. 
Logged

CrispyChick

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1655
Re: HRT Scotland
« Reply #6 on: April 01, 2021, 03:08:21 PM »
So the Gp will prescribe it? But the practice manager says it's illegal??? Is that right?

Maybe try my FOI data on them. That's them saying 495 woman have been prescribed it 'illegally' for hrt in NHS Lothian since 2016 🤔. Well, why can't you be number 496????
Logged

RA

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 16
Re: HRT Scotland
« Reply #7 on: April 01, 2021, 03:18:09 PM »
My doctor is a locum GP and she had to run it by the head, who is in all honesty a dinosaur who is stuck in his ways and thinks he knows it all and I’m speaking from previous experience. I’ve only been to him twice in the past 15 years or so, that says it all 😒 I’m going to have a fight on my hands and I think now it’s a matter of, do I have the energy to fight him for something I am entitled to, I feel. 😩
Logged

CLKD

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 78992
  • changes can be scary, even when we want them
Re: HRT Scotland
« Reply #8 on: April 01, 2021, 03:18:56 PM »
Are U able to speak to a Pharmacist for an update prescription protocol?
Logged

CrispyChick

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1655
Re: HRT Scotland
« Reply #9 on: April 01, 2021, 03:26:17 PM »
In that case definitely show him the FOI. I can send you the original, if that helps.

I know it's a fight, and I understand the energy it takes, but that's what I was gearing myself up for with the FOI last year - worth a try?!?! How can he deny it is prescribed. 495 cannot be 'illegal'. Is this where you could ask the practice manager maybe???
Logged

Postmeno3

  • Guest
Re: HRT Scotland
« Reply #10 on: April 01, 2021, 03:46:12 PM »
Sounds like what you need is accurate evidence which will support your case. Whether you get that from Dr. Currie (a Scot, I believe) or from the other sources referenced here will take the pressure off of you. There seems to be a very varied attitude here in Scotland as to what is "legal" and what is not. It's awful when there are internal politics in a practice and sometimes even these are conflicted and have very little to do with the people those individuals are there to serve. Perhaps that thought, too, will help you to see that it's not about you, personally, but about an internal dynamic and absence of up to date knowledge. Menopause Clinics are operating again in some areas and a referral there, to which you are 100% entitled, might be the answer as your practice will have to be guided by the recommendations of specialists. Even though a wee wait might be necessary, it could get you on a more sure-footed track? Good luck!
Logged

CLKD

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 78992
  • changes can be scary, even when we want them
Re: HRT Scotland
« Reply #11 on: April 01, 2021, 04:01:59 PM »
Do read the threads about 'bladder issues' and 'vaginal atrophy' too - 4warned is 4armed ;-)
Logged

CrispyChick

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1655
Re: HRT Scotland
« Reply #12 on: April 01, 2021, 04:36:40 PM »
Just to add, unfortunately, my GP sought advice from the NHS meno clinic in Edinburgh. They said no.

Not trying to sound negative, but wouldn't wavt you to wait months to secure an appointment there, to be told same thing.

Some gp's will prescribe. Change of surgery??? Sounds like you need to get away from the dinosaur anyway.

I think Dr currie would be a good idea. She is based in southern Scotland I believe. Maybe an email from her, with my FOI info   would work???? Or could u call another surgery and ask their protocol on it???

There are others on this forum who do get it, hopefully soneone will be along shortly. Maybe in a nearby surgery...
Logged

Denise Didi

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 62
Re: HRT Scotland
« Reply #13 on: April 01, 2021, 09:30:12 PM »
Can you switch to another practice? It is not illegal just not licenced. I was prescribed tostran 'off license' from Tayside sexual and reproductive health - they have a menopause clinic too. Is there an equivalent in West Lothian
Denise
Logged

RA

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 16
Re: HRT Scotland
« Reply #14 on: April 01, 2021, 10:15:04 PM »
Thank you ladies for all your replies. Crispychick if you could send me the original FOI that would be great, somewhere to start at least. My GP has referred me to the meno clinic in Edinbrugh too, but I’ve been told they won’t give me utrogestan 🤨 I think my only option is to email Dr Currie and see where that gets me, then with the FOI and Dr Curries input I’ll approach the surgery again. Really not looking forward to the battle 😩 As if it’s not hard enough without having to fight the doctors. Hopefully somebody from West Lothian might have some input. 😁
Logged
Pages: [1] 2
« previous next »
 

Adverts on this website are not endorsed by Menopause Matters
Advertisements
ad