This is a difficult question for me to answer, as I work across both private and NHS settings, and many of my colleagues are truly exceptional, providing an outstanding level of care.
The honest answer is that the NHS is under immense pressure. We all struggle to do justice to a patient within a short ten-minute appointment. At times, a clinic can feel like firefighting and inevitably, health promotion and holistic care take a backseat. The reality is that no GP can be an expert in everything, and women's health has sadly never been a priority within medical training. As a result, knowledge and clinical focus can vary considerably from one practitioner to the next.
Perimenopause can be a genuinely challenging transition, and it frustrates me deeply to see these symptoms so often dismissed. Many of my patients are at the peak of their careers, balancing their health alongside the demands of family and work. Too often they are offered conflicting, outdated advice that leaves them feeling confused and unheard.
You deserve a doctor who is genuinely willing to listen and who has the specialist knowledge to offer a solution tailored entirely to you. Each time you visit, you are seen personally by me, because I believe that continuity and trust are of the utmost importance.
Grounded firmly in the latest guidance from NICE and the British Menopause Society, I cut through the confusion to give you clear, honest answers and a confident path forward. Ultimately, if you have been left frustrated by care elsewhere, choosing private care is a worthwhile investment in your long-term wellbeing.
