Our gynaecology services are provided by a highly specialised team of medical and nursing staff. 

A comprehensive range of outpatient services are offered, mainly on the Warrington site.

The majority of non emergency day case gynaecology surgery is performed at the Halton site.

The main gynaecology department is in the Croft Wing of Warrington Hospital. We also have gynaecology clinics at Halton Hospital.

Colposcopy

The colposcopy service is provided by a multidisciplinary team, of doctors, nurses, and cytologists. The service sees an average 100 patients each week. It offers nurse run diagnostic colposcopy clinics; post coital bleeding clinics and results clinics, and mixed diagnostic/treatments clinics by medical staff; where patients can be offered treatment at the same visit if required. The nurse colposcopists also provide an advisory service to patients, GPs, practice nurses and other health professionals. The service is open Monday to Friday normal working hours, with 3 weekly nurse telephone results clinics (2 in the evenings).

Rapid Access Pelvic Assessment Clinics (RAPAC)

Rapid Access Pelvic Assessment Clinics (RAPAC) is for the assessment of women (usually within two weeks) with post-menopausal bleeding or suspected ovarian cysts. Ultrasound scans and blood tests may be performed after the patient is seen by a Nurse. Some patients seen in this clinic have serious and fairly urgent medical conditions and require treatment at Warrington or Liverpool Women’s Hospital within a few weeks of being seen.

We offer an outpatient hysteroscopy service for women with heavy or irregular periods and other problems concerning the womb lining or cavity. Patients are referred to the outpatient hysteroscopy clinic either from women’s outpatients, or the Rapid Access Clinic. The clinic is situated in Women's Daycare in Croft Wing. There is a comfortable waiting area. 

Ambulatory Hysteroscopy Service

Hysteroscopy involves inserting a thin telescope into the womb through the vagina. This can be done without an anaesthetic as an especially thin telescope is used, which causes minimal discomfort and is usually well-tolerated. It provides diagnosis and management of women with heavy or irregular periods.

• diagnosis and management of women found or suspected to have womb

• polyps or thickened lining, fibroids or scar tissue within the womb cavity

• taking samples or biopsies from the womb lining

• treatment of polyps (womb growths) and scar tissue (adhesions)

• insertion of a contraceptive Mirena coil for treatment of heavy periods

Urogynaecology

Urogynaecology covers all aspects of female urinary incontinence and vaginal prolapse. We offer a comprehensive assessment and investigation service, with drugs, physiotherapy and if appropriate surgery. This sub-specialty investigates conditions such as stress-incontinence and continence related problems. This is undertaken by a multi-disciplinary team including doctors, nurses and physiotherapists.

The department receives referrals from GP or from the Community Continence Service for a variety of problems related to the female pelvic floor. This includes incontinence, difficulty passing urine, urinary tract infections (cystitis) and vaginal prolapse. The Urogynaecology Department is based in Croft Wing Outpatient department.

Gynaecology Physiotherapy

The gynaecology physiotherapist service is provided to help women with bladder and bowel problems or women with prolapsed pelvic organs.

The aim of the service is to teach woman how to improve and gain control over their condition by the teaching of correct pelvic floor muscle exercises, and practical advice on how to manage and improve their symptoms.

All women are seen on an individual basis and in a private room for their initial assessment and any further treatments. We also have an introductory pelvic floor information class for small groups.

The department receives referrals to Warrington Hospital from our hospital consultants/doctors and specialist nurses with Halton Hospital accepting referrals from hospital doctors and local Halton GP’s.

Infertility

The clinic is run in Halton Hospital. 

The department offers out-patient tubal testing services in the form of either Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) or Hystero Contrast Sonography (HyCoSy). Ovulation induction with clomifene is offered and referral on to HFEA registered tertiary centres for more intensive infertility management.

Early pregnancy service

What is EPAU?

The Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAU) is a specialist clinic which manages early pregnancy problems such as

• Mild to moderate vaginal Bleeding
• Mild to moderate lower abdominal Pain

We also see ladies who have has the following:

• Previous Ectopic Pregnanc
• Previous Molar Pregnancy
• X 2 Consecutive miscarriages

We are able to scan women between 6-18 weeks of pregnancy with a positive pregnancy test.  

How do I get an EPAU Appointment

Currently the clinic is unable to accept self referrals and we ask you to contact your GP or Midwife, if you have attended A&E and assessed as stable the team will refer you to the Early Pregnancy Clinic via electronic request and the EPAU team will contact you by telephone with a date and time.

Where is EPAU?

We are on the ground floor of the Croft wing at entrance H.

Can I bring someone with me?

 One person will be allowed into the scan room. You are welcome to bring your partner or a friend/relative.

We advise you to make alternative arrangements for children however we do appreciate this is not always possible. If you are unable to arrange childcare, please be aware you are responsible for the safety of your children at all times.

What will happen during my visit?

The nurse will take your history to find out why you are visiting us and find out what has happened to you in the past.  We appreciate this can be stressful and will try and obtain as much as we can from your hospital notes. Sometimes however, we get the best understanding by asking you directly.

You will be offered a transvaginal ultrasound scan.  This is an internal scan which gives the best images of your pregnancy when you are less than 12 weeks pregnant. It is completely safe and does not cause miscarriage. It

is important as it lets us see pregnancies earlier that we would through a tummy scan.

The vaginal probe should not cause any discomfort when used. Before the scan you will be asked to go to the toilet and empty your bladder completely. You will then have to undress from the waist down and lie on a bed with a blanket covering your bottom half. A condom like cover and sterile lubricating gel are placed over the vaginal probe before it is gently inserted into the vagina. This can contain latex.  We have latex free probe covers and will ask you about any latex sensitivity before we prepare the scan machine.

The sonographer scanning you will provide a report for the nurse to discuss with you and will decide to discharge you or arrange a follow up. If your pregnancy is ok, they will be able to print you out a photograph and show you your baby on the screen.

Will the scan harm my baby?

A transvaginal scan will not harm your baby or cause you to miscarry.

Do you need to drink plenty of fluids before your scan?

No for an internal scan we need an empty bladder, you will be asked to use the toilet before your scan.

Can an internal scan still be done if the patient is bleeding?

Yes, we can still scan you if you are bleeding, we are used to scanning ladies who are bleeding in early pregnancy, please do not worry about this

What will happen at my appointment?

After booking in at the desk you will be called into one of our scan rooms where a nurse will ask you your medical and pregnancy history.

You will then have your ultrasound scan with a sonographer and the nurse will explain the scan findings.

The appointment should take around 30minutes, it may take longer depending on the scan findings.

Please be aware that the team try keep the clinic running on time but if unfortunately, a patient before you has had bad news this can impact on waiting times.

What will happen after the scan?

The following are likely outcomes

• We see a pregnancy with a heartbeat and we can discharge you.
• We see a very early pregnancy before the heartbeat stage and we offer to rescan you in 1-2 weeks to ensure that the pregnancy is progressing ok
• Sadly some women who visit the EPAU will be diagnosed with a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy and they will need further treatment and possibly an admission to hospital
• We may not see a pregnancy on the scan, either inside or outside of the womb. If your pregnancy test is still positive, we will advise we do a blood test to monitor your pregnancy hormone also known as bHCG Level. The reasons of this will be explained further at your appointment.

Can I be seen in the EPAU again?

If you experience further bleeding, loss of pregnancy symptoms, concerning pain please contact us again on 01925 662320 and a further appointment will be made. We can see you in EPAU up to 18 weeks of pregnancy.

Clinics run daily with the consultant & team in attendance. There are designated trained nurses and experienced health care assistants on duty. At the first consultation the patient may or may not need to be examined & may not necessarily be seen by the consultant but by one of their team, who will then report to the consultant. 

You can view our Senior Doctor Profiles in obstetrics and gynaecology here.

Once you have seen your GP, appointments are made through Choose & Book or direct referral by them.

Croft Wing 
Warington Hospital 
Lovely Lane
Warrington 
Cheshire 
WA5 1QG

Telephone1:
01925 275234

Telephone2:
01925 662317

Our WHH GAU is for women with a range of conditions and concerns including acute pelvic pain, heavy, irregular vaginal bleeding, issues related to coils or abscesses. We are also available to women who have concerns during early pregnancy.
 
Appointment is by referral only. Referrals can be made by GPs, midwives or through contacting NHS 111 first. NHS 111 can now book time slots direct with our GAU service without patients needing to go via A&E.