Women’s Services – Gynaecology and EPAS

Staff in Women's and childrens centre

The Gynaecological Unit is situated on the first floor of the Shropshire Women and Children’s Centre at Princess Royal Hospital. There are clear signposts to all wards and departments.

Please note: for information and advice regarding the Coronavirus outbreak, we recommend you view the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Website. Patient information leaflet: Advice for women seeking contraception, abortion and other sexual and reproductive healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic

Philosophy of Care

The Gynaecological Unit provides a high standard of nursing and medical care to the women of Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and mid Wales.

It is our aim to treat all women as individuals, acknowledge that they have unique expectations and unique physical, psychological, emotional and cultural needs.

We are committed to providing a quality service that provides care with courtesy, kindness and warmth for the women and their families. We recognise the need for privacy, dignity and confidentiality for women undergoing any aspect of gynaecological care.

Our Unit

There is open access to the main building during normal working hours for all services. Out of hours access is via the intercom system.  The Ward areas have secure access via intercom door system or locked keypad entrance.  Careful consideration is given to the security and access control to the entire centre to ensure the protection of patients, families and children.

Key Info

Contact Us

01952 641222

Interested in working with us?

For more information about vacancies in the Trust please visit our Belong to Something website.

Location

We are located within the Women’s and Children’s Services building on the Princess Royal site.

Associated Wards and Services

Cancer Services
Fertility 
Neonatal
Paediatrics
Ward 12 and 14 (Princess Royal Hospital)

We encourage individuals and their families to become involved in their care and make decisions based upon current research based information.

All clinical areas are accessed through the main Women and Children’s Centre entrance.  Located in this area is;

  • The Main reception
  • A League of Friends shop
  • The Coffee Shop
  • Access to Postnatal, Antenatal and Delivery Suite
  • Access to main PRH Hospital street and Paediatric services

Toilet and baby changing facilities are available in the main foyer (including disabled).

The Gynaecology Inpatient Ward is dedicated to the care of Gynaecology patients requiring treatments/surgery; either elective or emergency. It is operational 24/7, 365 days per year.

This is a 12 bedded ward, including four side rooms and two, four bedded bays and a treatment room.

The Gynaecological Consultant of the day undertakes a daily ward round and works with a Multidisciplinary team to assess patients and provide a plan of care.

Please note that women of childbearing age may be required to have a pregnancy test before procedures can be done.

The GATU provides urgent and emergency care to women with a suspected or known Gynaecological diagnosis.

Most patients can be assessed and treated within the unit and therefore avoid admission. However, those patients who become unwell may be admitted to the Gynaecology Ward.

Please note that women of childbearing age may be required to have a pregnancy test before procedures can be done.

Non-pregnancy related problems:

  • Acute abdominal /pelvic pain.
  • Heavy PV bleeding.
  • Vulval swellings and abscesses
  • Post-operative complications
  • Urgent Consultant referrals.

Pregnancy related problems:

  • Any patients who are clinically stable with pain/bleeding in early pregnancy are seen and assessed by the Early Pregnancy Assessment Service (EPAS) who work alongside the GATU team.
  • Clinically unstable patients i.e. high risk ectopic.
  • Referrals by the Early Pregnancy Assessment Service
  • Management of hyperemesis (morning Sickness)
  • Medical management of miscarriage / ERPC’s referred by the EPAS Team
  • Two week booking referrals.

Patients are seen and assessed by experienced, qualified nurses and Health Care Assistants, and will be clinically assessed by a doctor. Direct responsibility is with the Consultant Gynaecologist of the day.

Referrals are made by GPs (through Care Coordination Centre), the Emergency Department or referred by EPAS.

EPAS provides a service on both sites at Princess Royal Hospital and Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for the management of women with complications in early pregnancy up to 16 weeks gestation. i.e. Bleeding or pain.

It is a nurse led service run by a dedicated team of specialist nurses.

The medical responsibility falls with the Gynaecological doctor of the day.

Patients are referred for pain and bleeding and referrals are made by GP, midwife, Emergency Department or Gynaecology Emergency Assessment Area.

Patients can also self-refer if they have been seen by EPAS in the current pregnancy, have had a previous ectopic pregnancy, or have had 3 recurrent miscarriages.

As well as scanning, nurses carry out any follow up required such as blood tests, monitoring suspected ectopic pregnancies, management of women with miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy and monitoring women undergoing medical management for ectopic pregnancy.

This service is provided in the Gynaecology Assessment Area in The Princess Royal Hospital, and in Clinic 6 at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

There are designated procedure rooms at the Princess Royal Hospital, with en-suite changing facilities. The area has been designed to ensure privacy and dignity is maintained at all times.

There is a designated waiting area and a recovery area for patients to sit in after recovering from their procedure. All patients who undertake a procedure will be offered either a hot or a cold drink.

Similar services are provided in Clinic 6 with the exception of en-suite changing facilities

Patients who require a longer recovery period or use of the trolley bay will be cared for by the GATU nursing staff.

The Gynaecology Oncology service is a dedicated service providing a comprehensive medical and specialist nursing service to enhance the individual needs of women with cancer, their relatives and carers.

Patient Information Leaflets

If you are unsure of your planned procedure, or if you have misplaced your leaflet, please contact the Gynaecology Medical Secretaries at the Princess Royal Hospital for up-to-date information (dial the main switchboard number on 01952 641222 and ask to be transferred).

Colposcopy 
Abnormal Cell Treatment
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust