Can a doctor refuse the pill based on their personal reasons?

ShelTomato

My GP refused to prescribe me the pill when I was 19 as I was "too young" and again at 21 because (and I quote) she "doesn't believe in prescribing the pill to unmarried women." I had to pay to see another doctor, who happily prescribed me the pill. Is she actually allowed to refuse based on her own personal beliefs? I worked with a women in her 30's who had the same problem trying to get the pill from her! My medical card is registered with her and I can't find another doctor that will take any new patients on so I'm stuck with her. I'm 25 and in a long term relationship, getting the pill shouldn't be such a chore :P

Lucena

ShelTomato wrote: »

My GP refused to prescribe me the pill when I was 19 as I was "too young" and again at 21 because (and I quote) she "doesn't believe in prescribing the pill to unmarried women." I had to pay to see another doctor, who happily prescribed me the pill. Is she actually allowed to refuse based on her own personal beliefs? I worked with a women in her 30's who had the same problem trying to get the pill from her! My medical card is registered with her and I can't find another doctor that will take any new patients on so I'm stuck with her. I'm 25 and in a long term relationship, getting the pill shouldn't be such a chore :P

You could be sleeping with a different person every night, it shouldn't make any difference. Maybe there's a register of doctors this kind of behaviour can be informed of?

bumper234

ShelTomato wrote: »

My GP refused to prescribe me the pill when I was 19 as I was "too young" and again at 21 because (and I quote) she "doesn't believe in prescribing the pill to unmarried women." I had to pay to see another doctor, who happily prescribed me the pill. Is she actually allowed to refuse based on her own personal beliefs? I worked with a women in her 30's who had the same problem trying to get the pill from her! My medical card is registered with her and I can't find another doctor that will take any new patients on so I'm stuck with her. I'm 25 and in a long term relationship, getting the pill shouldn't be such a chore :P

****ing shocking behavior in a so called civilized 1st world country makes my blood boil:mad: Go here to the medical council of Ireland you can put in a complaint

http://www.medicalcouncil.ie/Public-Information/Making-a-Complaint-/

angeldelight

Unfortunately yes they can. They are however supposed to "signpost" ie let you know where you can avail of the service. Similarly they could refuse the morning after pill based on their own beliefs, and a pharmacist could refuse to dispense/sell it.

ShelTomato

angeldelight wrote: »

Unfortunately yes they can. They are however supposed to "signpost" ie let you know where you can avail of the service. Similarly they could refuse the morning after pill based on their own beliefs, and a pharmacist could refuse to dispense/sell it.

If that's the case I think they're in the wrong line of work :P Medicine and religion don't mix well. And I know it's based on religious beliefs in her case as she was in the audience of the Late Late Show years ago giving out about the evils of contraception. She should at the very least they should have a sign in their waiting room saying she wont prescribe it!

bumper234

ShelTomato wrote: »

If that's the case I think they're in the wrong line of work :P Medicine and religion don't mix well. And I know it's based on religious beliefs in her case as she was in the audience of the Late Late Show years ago giving out about the evils of contraception. She should at the very least they should have a sign in their waiting room saying she wont prescribe it!

She should be struck of the medical register and never be allowed to practice again.:mad:

etymon

I worked for a doctor who was the same but she referred the patients to the other doctor in the practice so that avoided the issue. You are allowed to have conscientious objections though how you can mix a scientific job with such a holy joe attitude is beyond me. In any event if you have trouble because she is a one-woman practice, then you should get onto the GMS people and request an urgent transfer somewhere.

DM addict

Is it seriously legal for a doctor to refuse treatment on the grounds of their own personal beliefs?? Seriously?? I find that hard to believe - does anyone have a link to back it up?

(Despite my incredulity, I'm not assuming anyone is lying, I'm just shocked)

etymon

http://www.medicalcouncil.ie/Registration/Guide-to-Professional-Conduct-and-Behaviour-for-Registered-Medical-Practitioners.pdf
Page 16

kylith

I don't know about having her struck off, but she should certainly have to inform people in advance that she won't prescribe contraceptives. What you should do, though, is register a complaint, then do everything in your power to change GPs as this one is clearly insufficient for your needs.

ShelTomato

bumper234 wrote: »

She should be struck of the medical register and never be allowed to practice again.:mad:

I'm inclined to agree. I have another problem with her. Years ago I had a kidney infection and went to see her, she took a sample and said it was most likely a kidney infection and prescribed antibiotics, said to come back if they didn't work. They worked fine, everything cleared up and I didn't give it a second thought. About 6 months later there was some stuff going on in my family and my younger brother was taken into care for a while. Within a few days of this I got a call from her secretary asking me to please come in the next day to discuss my urine sample results. I was petrified thinking cancer and all sorts! But when I went in she just asked me extremely personal questions about my brother and family then at the end said "oh your sample showed it was a kidney infection, I'm sure it cleared up ok?". I was livid, I missed a day of college for that!!

flutered

would not the well woman clinic or the family planing clinic do it on your medical card, i remember driving a family member some time ago, to advail of that particular service.

DM addict

Wow I am surprised. But it's good to be aware - she should be making that information available to patients.

Also I've just checked citizens information - if you've a medical card (which I think you said you did, OP?) and your GP refuses family planning the HSE is obliged to set you up with another doctor who will treat you. Also the Medical Council guide says that if a doctor refuses treatment through conscientious objection, they're obliged to give you info on where you can gety that treatment - did she do that?

Asking questions about your family situation is totally inappropriate. Even though she has the right to refuse treatment, I would still be reporting her for unprofessional conduct.

ShelTomato

flutered wrote: »

would not the well woman clinic or the family planing clinic do it on your medical card, i remember driving a family member some time ago, to advail of that particular service.

I have no idea, i assumed I'd have to pay the consultancy fee anyways!

I worked for a doctor who was the same but she referred the patients to the other doctor in the practice so that avoided the issue. You are allowed to have conscientious objections though how you can mix a scientific job with such a holy joe attitude is beyond me. In any event if you have trouble because she is a one-woman practice, then you should get onto the GMS people and request an urgent transfer somewhere.

I wouldn't have minded so much if she'd referred me to another GP, I would have been slightly annoyed at the extra effort but it would have been preferable to an outright refusal.

desbrook

ShelTomato wrote: »

If that's the case I think they're in the wrong line of work :P Medicine and religion don't mix well. And I know it's based on religious beliefs in her case as she was in the audience of the Late Late Show years ago giving out about the evils of contraception. She should at the very least they should have a sign in their waiting room saying she wont prescribe it!

Don't get me wrong I believe everyone has the right to contraception HOWEVER doctors also have the rights to their own personal beliefs . Their first duty is to look after the well being of the patient and not do them harm. Some believe (wrongly imho) that prescribing the pill to a an unmarried woman is detremental her well being and will do harm .The doctor as far as I know has the right to refuse to carry out any such treatment but has the responsibility to refer the patient to another doctor who does not share those beliefs .

Where I think the doctor failed was that she didn't make it clear from the outset that the patients age was only a secondary concern to her - as long as she was unmarried she would not prescribe the pill . If the doctors concerns are valid surely they should be explianed openly to let the patient make an informed choice ?

bumper234

desbrook wrote: »

Don't get me wrong I believe everyone has the right to contraception HOWEVER doctors also have the rights to their own personal beliefs . Their first duty is to look after the well being of the patient and not do them harm. Some believe (wrongly imho) that prescribing the pill to a an unmarried woman is detremental her well being and will do harm .The doctor as far as I know has the right to refuse to carry out any such treatment but has the responsibility to refer the patient to another doctor who does not share those beliefs .

Where I think the doctor failed was that she didn't make it clear from the outset that the patients age was only a secondary concern to her - as long as she was unmarried she would not prescribe the pill . If the doctors concerns are valid surely they should be explianed openly to let the patient make an informed choice ?

But if she was married she could have the pill? This isn't even a contraception issue but a MORALITY issue from the doctors side. Seriously she should be struck off and lose her license :mad:

etymon

Here is a list of doctors, some of whom I know for a fact do not prescribe contraception, many are Opus Dei members. Nothing wrong with that but I believe that if most people complained about this issue, the family planning objection might be done away with.

If they want to object that's fine but they should have it made clear from the outset in clear terms in their waiting room or whatever, instead of lying about age being the issue
What about that vaccine thing, would they refuse that too?

etymon

bluewolf wrote: »

If they want to object that's fine but they should have it made clear from the outset in clear terms in their waiting room or whatever, instead of lying about age being the issue
What about that vaccine thing, would they refuse that too?

Gardasil? Nah, that's only against HPV so they give that. They do cervical smears and all the other stuff but they can't be seen to be aiding and abetting premarital sex. NB the doc I worked for didn't give the pill to anyone, sure married people have to take all the kids God gives them!

bumper234

etymon wrote: »

Gardasil? Nah, that's only against HPV so they give that. They do cervical smears and all the other stuff but they can't be seen to be aiding and abetting premarital sex. NB the doc I worked for didn't give the pill to anyone, sure married people have to take all the kids God gives them!

But not the horrific diseases, ailments, cancers and other good stuff that their "loving god" gives them

GarIT

Go to your doctor and say "I plan to sleep with at least two people a week, how do you propose I don't get pregnant."

etymon

bumper234 wrote: »

But not the horrific diseases, ailments, cancers and other good stuff that their "loving god" gives them

Think that's our punishment for living in sin, lads

bumper234

etymon wrote: »

Think that's our punishment for living in sin, lads

Am ****ed...straight to hell in a hand basket

maximoose

This was in Bargain Alerts yesterday, might be of some use if it happens again!

ShelTomato

Thanks for the input guys, I will look and see if the GMS will help me find another doctor that can help me

m'lady

A friend of mine had this problem about 12 years ago with a particular Doctor.. Thought this had stopped! The Well woman's clinic does accept medical cards, I'd call them first and then look into changing Doctor permanently.

username123

DM addict wrote: »

Is it seriously legal for a doctor to refuse treatment on the grounds of their own personal beliefs?? Seriously?? I find that hard to believe - does anyone have a link to back it up?

etymon wrote: »

http://www.medicalcouncil.ie/Registration/Guide-to-Professional-Conduct-and-Behaviour-for-Registered-Medical-Practitioners.pdf
Page 16

No it is not - according to page 16 of the document linked:

9 Refusal to treat
9.1 In exceptional circumstances you may need to consider refusing
specific treatments to individual patients. This must never be
done on the basis of personal discrimination. You might consider
refusing specific treatments because, for example, you consider
that the treatment would not work or that it might cause more
harm than good. You might also consider refusing treatment
where you believe that your patient is unlikely to co-operate or
make the lifestyle changes required to make the treatment effective. If you decide to refuse treatment, you must explain your
reasons to the patient and offer them an opportunity to review
the decision and/orseek another opinion.

10 Conscientious objection
10.1 As a doctor, you must not allow your personal moral standards to
influence your treatment of patients.
10.2 If you have a conscientious objection to a course of action, you
should explain this to the patient and make the names of other
doctors available to them.
10.3 Conscientious objection does not absolve you from responsibility
to a patient in emergency circumstances.

I would complain to the Medical Council and request another GMS doctor from the HSE.

bumper234

username123 wrote: »

No it is not - according to page 16 of the document linked:


I would complain to the Medical Council and request another GMS doctor from the HSE.

Well spotted now op needs to report that bitch :mad:

seamus

As mentioned above, this is a breach of the professional conduct rules for medical practitioners. Please make a complaint to the IMC.

The problem is that so many women get embarrassed by the doctor's reaction and rather than make a fuss, they just go elsewhere. But the more people who make noise about this and the more doctors who get slapped/struck off for it, the more it will become recognised that putting one's morality above the good of their patient is not acceptable.

m'lady

Yes well spotted! This is ridiculous in this day and age, so please do report her, even if its to save perhaps a young girl the embarrassment and possibility of falling pregnant because of this Doctor who is not doing her job properly.

seosamh1980

So basically, if the OP had lied to the doctor and said she was married they doctor would have given her the pill?? I wonder does she ask for proof of marriage when "married" women ask for the pill.

eireannBEAR

ShelTomato wrote: »

My GP refused to prescribe me the pill when I was 19 as I was "too young" and again at 21 because (and I quote) she "doesn't believe in prescribing the pill to unmarried women." I had to pay to see another doctor, who happily prescribed me the pill. Is she actually allowed to refuse based on her own personal beliefs? I worked with a women in her 30's who had the same problem trying to get the pill from her! My medical card is registered with her and I can't find another doctor that will take any new patients on so I'm stuck with her. I'm 25 and in a long term relationship, getting the pill shouldn't be such a chore :P

demand the pill,question the doctor as to why you cant avail of this,this is a pathetic disgusting attitude by a GP.

blood thirsty pro-abortionists and their supporters would be only to happy to welcome you,if you were to have an unwanted pregnancy due to this doctor.

username123

Bloody ridiculous.

Happened me as a young teenager (15 or so), my mother brought me to the old family doc because I had period problems. He said the pill would regulate me but he wouldnt prescribe it to me because I was too young. 3 years later the university doctor prescribed it within minutes of me visiting him and shook his head at the fact Id been left to suffer because of some backward old fools morals.

bumper234

eireannBEAR wrote: »

demand the pill,question the doctor as to why you cant avail of this,this is a pathetic disgusting attitude by a GP.

blood thirsty pro-abortionists and their supporters would be only to happy to welcome you,if you were to have an unwanted pregnancy due to this doctor.

I am pro abortion....please explain what makes me "BLOOD THIRSTY"

ballsymchugh

there is precedence in the courts in a matter similar to this, where an IVF specialist in the galway clinic refused to treat an unmarried couple, but nothing happened since he referred them on to a colleague that did.

health practitioners have the right to refuse treatment with good cause. in these cases, the good cause may be debatable to the patient, so as long as the GP can defend her decision, then she's in the clear, although she should have referred you to another practitioner.
why don't you call the practice and ask them to do that?

lazygal

Just FYI there are also chemists who refuse to dispense contraception, and they are within their rights to do so. I don't know how common it is, or if they are duty bound to refer a customer to another service, or if another pharmacist will dispense in the same chemist, but it is legal to refuse to supply such medicines.

eireannBEAR

bumper234 wrote: »

I am pro abortion....please explain what makes me "BLOOD THIRSTY"

you are pro-on demand,you have fought tooth and nail for this.

i support abortion in humane circumstances,men and women should be giving access to free contraceptives.

we are all adults here take some responsibility bumper.

LizT

lazygal wrote: »

Just FYI there are also chemists who refuse to dispense contraception, and they are within their rights to do so. I don't know how common it is, or if they are duty bound to refer a customer to another service, or if another pharmacist will dispense in the same chemist, but it is legal to refuse to supply such medicines.

I'm really shocked at that and the fact that a doctor can refuse you contraception. Seems some people are intent on living in the dark ages...

username123

ballsymchugh wrote: »

health practitioners have the right to refuse treatment with good cause. in these cases, the good cause may be debatable to the patient, so as long as the GP can defend her decision, then she's in the clear, although she should have referred you to another practitioner.
why don't you call the practice and ask them to do that?

In the link provided it clearly states that personal morality cannot influence treatment.

maximoose

eireannBEAR wrote: »

you are pro-on demand,you have fought tooth and nail for this.

i support abortion in humane circumstances,men and women should be giving access to free contraceptives.

we are all adults here take some responsibility bumper.

Can you keep your incoherent nonsense about abortion to the abortion threads please?

username123

lazygal wrote: »

Just FYI there are also chemists who refuse to dispense contraception, and they are within their rights to do so. I don't know how common it is, or if they are duty bound to refer a customer to another service, or if another pharmacist will dispense in the same chemist, but it is legal to refuse to supply such medicines.

Only a moron would risk his or her business in these times where every prescription counts. Pharmacists have things too easy with their hidden fees and pricing anyway but thats another story.

I presume they can refuse to dispense anything they like?

wandatowell

angeldelight wrote: »

Similarly they could refuse the morning after pill based on their own beliefs, and a pharmacist could refuse to dispense/sell it.

In this day and age? :eek:

OldNotWIse

A little ridiculous tbh. In any event, taking the pill will not make you a heathen or a whore

I took it a while ago because I had exams and didnt want the hassle of a period at the same time. It was nothing to do with birth control - im in a same sex relaitonship - guess the opus dei Dr's wouldnt even let me into the waiting room for that one

eireannBEAR

maximoose wrote: »

Can you keep your incoherent nonsense about abortion to the abortion threads please?

i answered a question and stated my views on contraception,please read my posts correctly.

bumper234

eireannBEAR wrote: »

you are pro-on demand,you have fought tooth and nail for this.

i support abortion in humane circumstances,men and women should be giving access to free contraceptives.

we are all adults here take some responsibility bumper.

Just because i support a woman's rights does not make me "bloodthirsty" and i would appreciate if you removed that accusation from your post.

mitosis

DM addict wrote: »

Is it seriously legal for a doctor to refuse treatment on the grounds of their own personal beliefs?? Seriously?? I find that hard to believe - does anyone have a link to back it up?

(Despite my incredulity, I'm not assuming anyone is lying, I'm just shocked)

It's not refusing treatment. They take an oath to preserve the life and support the health of the patient. Prescribing contraceptives generally does not fall into this.

OldNotWIse

eireannBEAR wrote: »

demand the pill,question the doctor as to why you cant avail of this,this is a pathetic disgusting attitude by a GP.

blood thirsty pro-abortionists and their supporters would be only to happy to welcome you,if you were to have an unwanted pregnancy due to this doctor.

oh for fuuck sake. I am fuucking SICK listening to people talk about abortion. I actually dont care any more. I was pro life...now I am... exasperated and indifferent :rolleyes: Please dont bring the issue up where its not relevant. I'm going to live under a rock to get away from all of this!!! :mad:

rainbow kirby

This is not an abortion debate thread. Please discuss that in the appropriate threads and stay on topic here.

Also, less of the "bloodthirsty" language please.

username123

Despite Page 16 of the linked document it appears that it does go on and the HSE must provide alternative arrangements.

From citizens information:

If you have a medical card, you are entitled to free GP services including contraceptive advice and prescriptions for contraceptive drugs and devices. Occasionally, a GP or pharmacist may refuse to provide these services. If this happens, the HSE is obliged to provide you with an alternative service - either through another GP, another pharmacist or a family planning organisation, voluntary or private.

ballsymchugh

username123 wrote: »

In the link provided it clearly states that personal morality cannot influence treatment.

as long as they refer them on to someone else.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/fertility-clinic-will-only-treat-married-couples-26492463.html

Dr Boyle's refusal to treat unmarried couples has led to complaints to the Irish Medical Council, which found that he is not bound to treat unmarried couples or single mothers

OldNotWIse

mitosis wrote: »

It's not refusing treatment. They take an oath to preserve the life and support the health of the patient. Prescribing contraceptives generally does not fall into this.

what if the woman has been told getting pregnant again will endanger her life? It was these very circumstances that actually led to the legalisation of contraception in Ireland (McGee v. AG).