Gynaecology Matron Angela Harman said: “This will enhance the patient experience by providing a dedicated unit which is focused on one-stop assessment and treatment. Women who may be suffering emotionally as well as physically will not have to wait to be seen for prolonged periods in the Emergency Department.”
The nurse-led service, supported by a lead specialist Consultant, will be available to women who have been referred from either the Emergency Department, their GP or a midwife. Women who had recently had surgery will be able to self-refer. Examinations and scans can be carried out in an appropriate and secure environment, ensuring dignity and privacy for patients.
Expert nursing staff will be able to offer compassion and expertise to those suffering emotionally distressing conditions. For example the unit will accept patients who are up to 16 weeks pregnant and who are showing symptoms of ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage or other pregnancy complications.
Ms Harman said: “The GAU complements the Early Pregnancy Unit and we will also see women with problems after four weeks of delivery and up to four weeks of gynaecological surgery. We expect the new unit to give women an efficient, confidential and expert service, as we have experienced from a similar service which has been running at Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital for some time.”
