Dr Shamini Sithamparanathan

Written by a NHS patient at Ashley Centre Surgery

No mental health insight. No understanding of how mental health distress presents and very judgemental. Made me feel miserable and alone. Made me feel despair and refused to apologise for a practice decision that meant I waited ALL day to be called back - not by the doctor I needed. I suffered completely needlessly.

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Listening

Written by a NHS patient at Ashley Centre Surgery

Lacking basic knowledge of trauma focussed care. Seemed defensive when i challenged her. Very disappointing response. Very hurtful remarks. Will avoid her.

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Written by a patient at Ashley Centre Surgery

Dr Nathan genuinely cares for her patients, and she has seen me regularly, often an emotional mess, as I struggle with unexpected symptoms of post menopause. I had no idea that the menopause would be quite so difficult to navigate and Dr Nathan suggested I started HRT a few months ago, having warned me off it a few years ago due to the risks. I went away and did my research before going back to the surgery to see her to request certain products. There are serious shortages at the moment of many products so I chose something that would be easy to find going forward. However, Dr Nathan's dosage instructions were incorrect for both the transdermal oestrogen and progesterone parts of the treatment. I started to feel terrible in just a couple of weeks so went to another GP in the practice who was unable to help. Out of desperation I found a local private menopause specialist who helped immediately, because Dr Nathan had told me to use too little of the oestrogen 'due to the risks'. In fact, Dr Nathan only wanted to talk about the risks and there was no mention of the many major benefits of HRT. Had I not done my research I would have been frightened to use it at all, whereas having read Oestrogen Matters by Avrum Bluming, I knew that the risks, which are constantly being talked about by the scaremongering media, were tiny (less than being overweight or drinking alcohol). So please Dr Nathan, being the only full time female GP in the practice, you will have a lot of women who choose to come to you for help with the menopause, and I'm sure many women who could take it will be put off using highly beneficial HRT due to your focus on the risks. Yet HRT helps prevent dementia, heart disease, osteoporosis and more. I would recommend reading Oestrogen Matters and the Menopause Doctor Website, recognised by the NHS as a source of reference for symptoms and treatment of menopause. Thank you for your support, your heart is in the right place.

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Written by a patient at Ashley Centre Surgery

Dr Nathan seems to be lacking some basic medical knowledge. Everything is treated with paracetamol or amoxycycline. Even if those drugs are not supposed to be prescribed for a particular sickness. My family members had to endure pain and prolonged treatments due to her failed diagnosis and treatment attempts. For that reason we are avoiding her like fire and go to any other doctor in that surgery.

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Written by a patient at Ashley Centre Surgery

Dr Nathan is the GP for my family. She has supported my husband through the stress of redundancy and the process of finding a new job. She has been a great help to me through my depression and self esteem issues in a non judgemental way. She has shown great compassion and true interest, listening attentively and never rushing me. With my daughter she has been helpful by providing her with options to guide her to make decisions in a friendly way. My son has yet to need her help but I know she will be great.

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