Family planning clinic - advice

[treehugger]

I went for quite a while very happily to the FP clinic in Townley road. When they closed I moved to the clinic in Denmark Hill. You can't make appointments for week days (and I really don't want to go on a Saturday), so I went last Friday at 11am and was told I would have to wait three hours to be seen. Do I have any alternative (other than going to a private gynaecologist)of being able to make an appointment somewhere local, turn up, be seen and be out within an hour? I have a Mirena coil and need a check up. My GP is Forest Hill Clinic.

[etta166]

Your GP should be able to do a coil check, even if they do not fit coils.

[miss]

Have you checked if any of the GPs or the practice nurse at your usual surgery has had the Mirena training?

[simonethebeaver]

Forest Hill Road does do coil insertions/removals and checks.

[treehugger]

Thanks all.

[treehugger]

Quick update. I was told by FHC that they don't do contraception, but I could see a doctor (first available appointment 29th Jan). I tried again at Denmark Hill to get walk in appointment this morning by arriving at 8.30 am, to be told I would have to wait up to two hours. I tired to make an appointment for a Saturday, but was told that I could only call on the 19th for an appointment on the 31st. So eventually went to a private FP doctor today at a cost of ?100, to be told that I really needed to have a pelvic scan. Goodness, how complicated, how do other women cope?

[simonethebeaver]

When you say Forest Hill Clinic, do you mean Forest Hill Road practice? Because if so that is bizarre as they DO do contraception. How weird.

[treehugger]

I'm not sure the receptionist gave me the right answer... But it all added to my confusion and inability to get an appointment within the next few days. All very annoying.

[buggie]

Think it might only be Dr Scorer who does IUD's at FHR & unsure if she's working at the mo - few months back I got told she was on extended leave when I wanted an appt with her - might be that they don't have anyone able to do particular types of contraception at the moment.

[Mariamadeit]

It is Dr scorer who does the coil stuff but I was told by one of the other female doctors there that she has done the training and could do it, sorry I can't remember her name but worth pushing as camberwell sh clinic is NOT an experience I wish to repeat or recommend...

[Mustard]

Why not try the Margaret Pyke Centre?

[mika1336]

There is waldron centre in New Cross, last time I've been it didnt take me long

[Andrea2881]

It may be a little far, however I can recommend Burrell Street Sexual health clinic at Blackfriars Bridge (the 63 stops at Southwark station and is only a few min. walk). I had a very positive experience, very nice clean modern office with free WIFI while you wait. Very patient and understanding staff. The doctor who saw me was excellent. Contraception clinic is on Tuesday on a walk-in basis. If you arrive early, you will be one of the first to be seen.

[GinaG3]

I don't want to hear this about Camberwell. Its so close that I can't bare the thought of going anywhere else. My baby is 7 weeks old but I desperately need to get a coil fitted. My GP said Camberwell does do bookable appointments, as I can't wait there with the baby for hours on end as a walk in! She highly recommended the Bermondsey FPC. I'm not looking forward to getting this sorted at all. Most GP surgeries have someone that can fit now. My last coil failed and GP's couldn't insert so I was offered to be referred to Kings but refused, I've since had the option to have it done under general anaesthetic twice and refused again. After this baby I need to try the coil again but I'm not looking forward to it. Anyone else had someone fail to insert before? If so, what did you do after, where did you go?