Dr V Bhatt & Dr J Szyszko Chiswick Family Practice

Dr V Bhatt & Dr J Szyszko Chiswick Family Practice 2022-02-25 Person 2 5 0

This GP surgery needs to update their knowledge of HRT and menopause care as it seems to be seriously out of date. Given that the menopause is guaranteed to affect over 50% of the population it is a travesty that GP's do not ensure their knowledge of it is updated!! And especially disappointing when female GP's don't think it necessary. I arranged for my own tests to confirm that I am menopausal (despite having high dose chemo which is known to affect ovaries/fertility and will have placed me into menopause). Whilst the surgery eventually agreed to prescribe me HRT patches, when I asked for a review of my medicine as my symptoms were not improving (I also paid for my own blood tests to prove oestrogen & testosterone levels) I was told that it was "above a GP's pay grade to prescribe anything other than standard HRT". And that the only support they could offer was refer me to a Gynaecologist to review me. A referral came through for 6 months time. I was not prepared to let my quality of life be affected any further by my symptoms so I paid £400 to have a consultation with a GP who is also a Private Menopause Specialist. My HRT was amended to help improve my symptoms, but after 3 months and virtually little improvement and blood tests still showing my testosterone was non-existent, the specialist agreed that Testosterone would be beneficial to add. I knew testosterone was not-licensed on the NHS for women (don't get me started on that), but I also knew that GP's regularly prescribed medicines off-licence so I hoped that the surgery would do this given that both the British Menopause Society and a Menopause Specialist had recommend it was safe to do so. I was very disappointed that they refused to prescribe it to me, meaning I had to purchase it privately, simply because they had never prescribed testosterone off-licence to a menopausal woman before! There is lots of new information and studies available that proves how important and beneficial it is to replace oestrogen & testosterone levels when they fall and yet women are expected to put up with it as part of the ageing process. Body-identical hormones are safe when used carefully and an individuals blood hormone levels monitored regularly. Please for the sake of all women update yourself on the latest studies on HRT & the Menopause. Google Dr Louise Newson as a start!

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Dr V Bhatt & Dr J Szyszko Chiswick Family Practice 2020-07-07 Person 5 5 0

I've now been with this surgery for more than seven years and have had great support on my complex journey with conflicting conditions and medications. Doctor Szyszko has been consistently caring and competent, and it is clear that she stays up-to-date in a really professional way. For example, she has prescribed me pain medication that was new to the market (and left the pain clinic consultant with no job to do!). She has also done a great job with managing referrals so that I have had the benefit of the right specialist expertise when needed. I'd appreciate a more effective system for letting me know that a prescription has not been sent to my pharmacy, but this is a tiny detail in the overall scheme of things. I am very grateful for all the support I have had, both over the years and more recently. Thank you - keep up the good work!

Dr V Bhatt & Dr J Szyszko Chiswick Family Practice 2019-12-24 Person 5 5 0

The doctor Szyszko is incredibly gifted! ★★★★★ 5 star rating by Kalyani Davidian - I know the doctor Szyszko for 25 years. She is very caring, down to the earth and I found her extremely helpful doctor, I have come across. It's not only me but my whole family feel the same as well. Whenever, we need her, she's there for us. The people who work in the surgery are brilliant and know their jobs very well. I would thoroughly recommend doctor Szyszko to other patients whoever needs her help. She is the best! Once again thank you doctor for all your support through out the year! With warmest regards, Kalyani Davidian