Torquay doctor refuses to prescribe female patient contraception
A Torquay medical clinic has been slammed online after a doctor refused to prescribe contraception to a female patient, with the same doctor refusing to write IVF or abortion referrals.
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A Victorian medical clinic has come under fire on social media after a doctor has refused to prescribe contraception or hand out IVF or abortion referrals.
Torquay Medical Health and Wellbeing Clinic confirmed at least one medical practitioner will not be offering the services.
The move has been met with outrage online, with several state MPs condemning it and patients expressing their disappointment.
People also began posting other clinics in Victoria that had similar policies and called for locals to boycott the centres.
“This happened to me without warning,” one woman posted online.
“I made an appointment and told reception it was for a pill repeat. I was given a Dr as my usual was busy.
“I attended the appointment, waited half an hour to be told, ‘I don’t prescribe contraceptives on religious beliefs.’”
The Torquay clinic released a statement after being inundated on social media and shutting down it’s social media page.
“The information that is being shared about the practice is incorrect that the practice does not support the choice of care regarding women’s reproductive health,” it read.
“Our community has many different religions, different personal views on culture, conduct, political opinion from one side to the other.
“We try to navigate this by a diverse team which enables the freedom of choice to our patients for their GP.
“Our practice sits in the middle, a group of people who are medical practitioners, nurses and reception staff that together between all of us provides care to everyone who needs it, regardless of others beliefs, religion or political views or cultures. We are a diverse team that between us cares for everyone who uses our clinic.”
Reason Party Leader Fiona MP said the move was shocking in this day and age.
“This is just another example of health professional imposing their own moral judgment on patients.
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“This sort of disgraceful behaviour will only be exacerbated if the federal governments so called ‘religious freedom bill’ is passed.”
Animal Justice Party’s Andy Meddick tweeted:
“Shocked to see this in my town. Yes, legal. But likely emboldened by Religious Discrimination Bill. Federal MPs must vote it down – or lives and safety will be at risk. This is reproductive healthcare and nobody should ever be denied it.”