Latest Lunacy From The Equal Rights Lobby..

[ToraToraTora]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4981068/Doctors-ordered-ask-patients-gay.html
what if we refuse to answer? What possible relevance is our sexuality to medical matters?

[pixie374]

So do I, ummmm- but they assume people roughly halve it.

[Spicerack]

//It has also said that lesbian, gay and bisexual people were disproportionately affected by health inequalities such as poor mental health and a higher risk of self-harm and suicide//

Copied that, SP, to ask what you meant.
VE beat me to it and asked in a better way.
Do enlighten us?

[Baldric]

Most of the Doctors we see in Local Surgery we have known for a while, to be honest my answer to that question would be "Do you want a smack in the mouth?"

[Mamyalynne]

Well as it's not obligatory to answer, not such a big issue.

I'll plump for 'Not sure'.

[douglas9401]

Be very careful with your diction the Baldric, he might hear 'smacker' and put you down as a 'yes'.

[pastafreak]

I'd imagine it's useful in keeping statistics on sexually transmitted diseases.

[Quizmonster]

Sp, when a consultant last asked me how much alcohol I drank per week, I said, "Do you want me to tell you the actual figure or would you rather I give you the one that you're going to multiply by two and a half?"
He wasn't best pleased...which did not over-concern me...but eventually answered, "The actual figure."

[jno]

as they say, an alcoholic is defined as "a man who drinks more than his doctor",

[jackthehat]

In don't think the question would be "Are you gay?" it is likely to be "How would 'you' describe your sexuality?"

It is strange that so many people would want to physically attack anyone asking the former. I'd never have believed it could be construed as such an insult to ones masculinity or dignity...

[Old_Geezer]

The question can not be voluntarily. Some nosey £-((&&%"- will ask it without asking if you want it asked, and will quote that they are only following orders without question if you explain in good old Anglo Saxon what you think of bring asked irrelevant personal information.

Only answering is voluntary in which case the 'refused to answer' box is ticked. Then they having destroyed any prior good relationship between you and the GP you can decide whether to get the service you came for and entitled to by explaining your concern through clenched teeth, or you can voluntarily leave.

Beats me how they can folk suggesting insulting folk, let alone find morons willing to push such things through. All need sacking, the lot of them.

It's typical of today's society which insists nothing is private and those with power can stick their nose in everywhere and insist on whatever they want with no regard to anyone's basic requirements. Your info is theirs because they want it. Dregs the lot of them

[Mamyalynne]

NHS staff do have to face hostility sometimes in the course of their work when carrying out tasks set for them by someone in an office somewhere - sad but true.

[Old_Geezer]

"might become as innocuous as ... 'How many units of alcohol do you drink per week?' "
Those scumbags ever ask me that again and I may not have the willpower to politely refuse. I only need to be insulted once, won't be giving the dregs a second chance.

[sp1814]

ummmm

You tell your doctor the truth?

Good on you.

There has to be at least one person who does.

[sp1814]

v_e

You asked:

What does "disproportionately affected by health inequalities" mean?

Good question.

Dunno.

[Mamyalynne]

//Scumbags// ?

Is that really how you see workers in the NHS?

Ever considered going private?

[sp1814]

jackthehat

You've hit the nail on the head. There are people who are variously described (normally online) as 'snowflakes' who would be offended by the question, "Are you gay", but you are 100% correct. That's not the question.

The question is:

"Which of the following options best describes how you think of yourself?"

And there's an option not to answer.

Some people are getting their knickers/drawers/underpants/g-strings in a twist.

(Yes, there's a supplementary question as to which form of underwear patients wear...the Daily Mail will be posting a story about that tomorrow).

[pixie374]

It's a pointlessly intrusive question. I think that is more the issue than what the actual question is. I would feel the same way if they asked for a list of my pets names....

[Mamyalynne]

I'd feel miffed at that too - would I have to buy a goldfish?

[pixie374]

Yes- and call it Goldie if you want further appointments :-)

[Mamyalynne]

No I refuse, it has to be Arbuthnot.