No. Over here, gynecological exams are done by actual gynecologists. And its not just to get a pap smear. Its a yearly exam that includes a cervical exam, an external abdomen exam to detect abnormalities in the uterus, and a manual breast exam.
Yeah, I know what it is. And I
was talking about the U.S.. Like I said, fair enough if it's not been a thing where you are. I think some states have different licensing procedures for nurse practitioners. But I can tell you that in WI, MI & NH, I had annual exams-- the whole shebang-- done by nurse practitioners.
As for the UK, no, they don't routinely do manual exams. It's pretty much just the smear test. As others have said, if you're really worried about that, your options are:
a) explain your medical history & concerns to your GP/practice nurse-- i.e. close family history of cancers, previous sketchy test results, or other problems that required a manual exam to diagnose/monitor (endometriosis, etc.)-- and ask for what you want. If your reasoning is sound, the GP should either carry out the exams him/herself, or will refer you to a specialist (maybe a gyno, maybe a nurse midwife?). But you'll still get your pap smear from the GP/practice nurse, because it's part of a routine screening program, and they're the ones responsible.
b) go to a private clinic...where you'll probably *still* have to repeat the above, because they're just not in the habit of poking around in there for no particular reason.
I'm sorry you had a bad experience with the one GP you saw, as a visitor. He had no real background on your condition, and frankly, as you were just passing through, and weren't actually his patient, there was no reason for him to spend a lot of time and resources on lengthy investigation and follow-up. The care you received was the same you'd have gotten in an urgent care/walk-in clinic in the U.S.-- they'll make sure it's not an emergency, and try to give you whatever immediate relief they can, and they may even toss out a few possible diagnoses for you to follow-up with your PCP, but they're not there to
manage chronic conditions. It's just not their job.
If you were a regular patient, seeing him with the same symptoms for the third time, you'd probably have gotten a very different response. Then again, maybe not; my grandma saw (American) doctors (including specialists!) for 40 years before they finally diagnosed her with celiac. Gluten & other food intolerance is a thing that isn't fully understood, and plenty of doctors in the U.S. wouldn't have a clue, either.
Whether you see NHS doctors, or private doctors, you
will have to be your own advocate. 'Test all the things and see what happens' is just not they way it's done here.
Mostly, though, I think you need to relax. Moving to a new country is scary, and it's understandable that you might be trying to channel your anxieties into something specific. But you're not doing yourself any good by blowing this out of proportion.
