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[Postmeno3]

This certainly is a very worrying "approach" by the medical profession. It harks back to Dr. Sarah Myhill who was drummed out of her role because she was too good at it. Fortunately, she is now in the same patient-revered position as Dr. Newson and is making a real difference to the lives of a huge M.E./CFS population, albeit privately and expensively. Whilst off at a tangent I know, this new development is an echo of how the medical profession can behave when feeling threatened. It hardly bodes well and doesn't instil confidence......if we have any left!

[KarineT]

The simple reason is because these doctors think the menopause is not a disease but a natural phenomenon that only affects women.

[KarineT]

One thing though.  There should be a lot more choice available on the NHS and we shouldn't have to go privately.  I think these clinics are making money out of misery.  It's ok for those who can afford to pay these prices but not for those who cannot make ends meet.

[Robin]

Most are like Dr Newson and can’t get menopause specialist jobs in the NHS

[CLKD]

Whilst patients should not have to resort to private treatments, it often isn't as expensive as one might fear.

1 has to consider the costs: initial appt. and necessary investigations, each will be charged 4 separately [bloods, X-rays, urine tests etc.].  If surgery is required, every aspect will be charged for, even the removal of sutures.  So the Anaesthatist [sp], nursing staff, cook, cleaners require paying for.  Some charges are paid by the patient/Insurance Company, others via the Consultant from his overall expenses budget.

After care will be charged 4 too. Hence when I had breast surgery, it cost a tenner to have 1 single stitch removed - I would have done it myself had I known 

[sheila99]

Dr Newson may make her living providing private health care but imo she's doing more to improve the lives of nhs patients than many nhs doctors. We need people like her.

[Robin]

Absolutely we do. She’s doing so much more for women than her private work which in itself is a lifeline to women who have exhausted all other avenues. I’m in awe of all she’s doing especially knowing she carries on in spite of the criticism, all of which I’ve seen has been from female doctors and academics. It’s not just the criticism either it’s the failure to get on board and spread the word from other female HCPs. Abysmal

[KarineT]

They have to pay their staff but I feel these clinics are too expensive.  The initial cost is not too bad but it's the follow up appointments which need to be done regularly, even to get repeat prescriptions.  I'm afraid but it's not for everyone.  Also, this wouldn't be covered by your heath insurance as it's not an illness.  And being menopause it wouldn't be a one-off cost and it could continue forever.

[Robin]

They don’t need to be done regularly. Louise Newson and the 36 other doctor GP menopause specialists she works with encourage womens GPs to prescribe after the first appointment.

[Robin]

The reality of private menopause care is often quite different from the public perception 

[Robin]

GPs are very often willing to take over care once specialist has made recommendations

[KarineT]

But it depends on the type of HRT.  For exsmple, BHRT cannot be prescribed on the NHS. I'm pretty sure that you would need regular follow ups for this for the private clinic.

[Robin]

Bio identical is not regulated or advised so yes I agree in terms of the clinics pedalling that but Dr Newson and her colleagues are prescribing body identical HRT which is regulated and is exactly what is prescribed on NHS.

[Robin]

I use a private clinic that originally prescribed my Evorel patches which I now get from my GP. No need to pay for it.

I was forced into that situation because my NHS doctors didn’t recognise my menopause symptoms and left me in terrible state for years

[KarineT]

What is the difference between body identical and bio identical?  Also, what choices are there for progestin?  It seems that through the NHS, Utrogestan is the only one that can be prescribed.