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[Gnatty]

A bit disappointed! Usually if I have questions in between consultations, my consultant has always answered my emails herself and given very helpful responses. Now  emails are passed to their ' team of nurses and pharmacists' to answer. In reply to an email I sent last week I got what I considered to be an inadequate badly written response from a member of the team. Anyone else any experience of this? I feel like I have been blocked from communicating with my Specialist!

[sweettooth]

I don’t personally but know ladies that have. I think they are bursting at the seams with ladies seeking help, this is what happens and then quality of service is compromised! X

[Nas]

Agree with sweet; they can’t cope with demand. Waiting lists are huge and more and more women are seeking help with this hideous journey.

I was under Chelsea and Westminster hospital. Communication was sparse and frustrating once I’d had the initial face to face  appointment back in 2019. I had so many questions and worries, but was never replied to within a timely manner.

Now under Liverpool women’s hospital and my 3 month review date has already surpassed by 3 months!

It’s no wonder women are taking control of their own hormonal health. What choice is there?

[Gnatty]

I agree and whilst I have a certain sympathy for them trying to treat more women, by my reckoning they must be making soooo much money, so if they are going to dilute their services then this should be reflected in their prices. I think they are quite expensive when compared to what you pay to see say a consultant gynaecologist.

[Nas]

Totally agree Gnatty. I think overall, prices to consult with  private MS are extortionate.
Realistically, how many women can actually afford to do this anyway?

The whole set up for women’s health is a shit show. I dread to think how many women are left stranded at this time of life.

I wouldn’t be happy with Newson clinic at all. Once queries are “ passed to other members of the team” you can  pretty much guarantee a less than satisfactory service.

I worry for the women who are in financial hardship but require support from a specialist. Those on benefits etc?

Cut the fees in half, or better, pay a contribution. Making money out of women’s suffering is immoral!

[VictoryV]

Hi,
I’ve got no experience with using private menopause services but have often wondered how interim questions are dealt with. Do their terms and conditions set out what their policy is around help in between appointments or is there a paid facility for email/telephone help where an additional appointment isn’t needed, for odd Q’s etc?
Will our usual GP help or would their stance be to go back to the specialist etc?
N.C seem to operate on 3 month reviews, is it possible to get an interim appointment or are they too busy to accommodate?
Could it be that your doctor is off sick or on holiday?

[juliemargaret]

Gnatty- I saw this and felt I must reply. I had my appt last week with NH - same doc as before and another £230 for half hr chat. On leaving I asked about the emails and if still applied to which she replied they have a new system where ‘emails will be replied to but may not be by me may be another member of the team’.
I left and this was the first concern I raised with my husband - it’s not acceptable as I am under HER care and not another’s and I’m
Not happy about it. It’s wrong . I haven’t sent emails yet ... but I’d not settle for the poor response . If we don’t start speaking up it will be deemed ok. Lots of women are I know feeling the same and we need to remind ourselves we are grown women paying a LOT for care and things like this are just not right. You’re under that specialists care ! 

[CLKD]

It's getting like the NHS then ? where you are a member of a Practice rather than a particular GP ?

£230  . 

[CrispyChick]

I'm currently under a BHRT clinic. I've found out I'm not entitled to email correspondence in between consultations (£140). I have asked the odd question and had an answer, supposedly from my doc.

I'm not happy with it. When you start treatment, you should be entitled to aftercare.

However, in a similar vain, most of the clinics are heavily booked up... So many woman seeking help. But I don't agree there should be no in-between advice!

[Louise2010]

I think it would be a good idea to raise this with the Newson clinic directly. Tweet Louise herself perhaps?
As one who has saved up (yes I’m old fashioned 😆) to see a Dr at the Newson Clinic in a week or so this is not great news. The only way to make things change is to level with them, be honest and say you’re not happy with it. If we all speak up then they’ve got to sort it out. You can’t be paying nearly 300 quid to have a zoom call and then not be able to have your answers to queries from that specific person. Not acceptable.

[Kathleen]

Hello ladies.

I have been with NH for about eighteen months and my experience has been a bit mixed. My doctor did reply to my email questions but that may not happen in the future. The NH site lists all the fees and exactly what services they cover but I think their prices have gone up recently.

My doctor told me that many of her colleagues have patients who are struggling to find the right balance of HRT so it may be that many women contact them for after care and this is an extra burden. Of course it is no surprise that difficult cases approach private clinics when so many GPs are ignorant of the menopause but it also indicates that HRT isn't as straightforward as many people would have us believe.

I can understand that NH is overwhelmed by cases but a poor service isn't limited to them. A few years ago I saw a consultant at a private hospital and when I sent her an  email she completely ignored it. When I asked her about it at the next appointment she suggested that I hadn't sent it but when she checked her inbox and found it her only comment was 'Oh yes, there it is'. No explanation or apology.

It makes me angry because these businesses are quick to take your money but are happy to leave you high and dry if things don't go as well as they forecast, which, incidentally should come as no surprise!

I am staying with NH for the time being because I think that they are the best of a bad bunch atm but I am also lowering my HRT dose to see if this resolves my issues even though this treatment wasn't prescribed by them.


Louise 2010 - I  hope that you have a good experience with NH, I am sure that lots of women do so please don't be put off trying. I wish you luck and please let us know how you get on with your appointment.

Take care ladies.

K.

[Louise2010]

Thank you Kathleen I will indeed. I hope your lowering of your dose proves to be a good thing. Xx

[Uptick]

Hi ladies, Dr. Zoe Hodson who used to work with Dr. Louise Newson has just set up her own clinic in Manchester, currently working from Bowland Medical Practice and still setting up her website. You can book a face to face or video appointment by email. Costs are £250 for first appointment (usually an hour) and £160 for follow ups. It isn't cheap, but she's such a nice person and I'm sure she'll reply to your emails. I hope I'm not breaching any forum rules.

[Gilla999]

Just to chime in and say I 100% agree with Nas - I have often wondered how women who can't afford the cost of a private appointment are coping. I really hope the NHS make some progress on the topic soon.

[Nas]

It’s a worry isn’t it Gilla?
With the rising cost of living etc, I’m genuinely concerned how some women will cope.

Charging between £ 180 and &280 for an hour long consult is one thing. But the aftercare is another. Questions are inevitably plentiful where menopause is concerned and these ought to be free and advice offered in a timely manner.

Maybe some concessionary discounts available ?