What the service does
The gynaecology service offers a range of inpatient, outpatient and community-based services that deal with women’s reproductive health. These include the following:
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Sexual and reproductive healthcare service
We provide information and advice on issues such as contraception and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Read more on our sexual and reproductive healthcare service.
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Urogynaecology
Urogynaecology deals with problems of the female urinary and genital tract. You can often have more than one problem in this area at a time, for example:
- urinary incontinence
- recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) or cystitis
- prolapse
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Cervical screening
Cervical screening can prevent cancer by detecting and treating early abnormalities in your cervix (the neck of the womb). Cervical screening is often called a smear test.
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Colposcopy
We usually do a colposcopy when your regular cervical screening test shows up some abnormalities in your cervix. Many women have an abnormal smear test. This does not mean you have cancer, but it means there are small changes we need to check out.
A colposcopy is similar to a normal cervical screening test. The colposcopist gets an enlarged view of your cervix to see if treatment is required.
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Local and regional gynae-oncology services
This service is for women who have a suspected or diagnosed gynaecological cancer such as cervical cancer.
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Early pregnancy clinics
Women up to 15 weeks pregnant may attend an early pregnancy clinic if they are experiencing symptoms such as bleeding or pain, or have had a previous miscarriage. Our clinics will provide assessment and advice on problems of early pregnancy.
How to access the service
We accept referrals to our inpatient and outpatient services from GPs and hospital consultants. Your appointment is usually within nine weeks of us receiving the referral letter.
You can refer yourself to the sexual and reproductive healthcare service.
You can also refer yourself to an early pregnancy clinic. These clinics also accept referrals from GPs or Emergency Departments.
Location of service
We provide inpatient services in:
- Royal Victoria Hospital
- Belfast City Hospital
- Mater Hospital
We provide outpatient services in:
- Royal Victoria Hospital
- Belfast City Hospital
- Mater Hospital
- Bradbury Wellbeing and Treatment Centre
We have sexual and reproductive healthcare clinics at a number of convenient locations in Belfast.
We have early pregnancy and emergency gynaecology clinics in:
- Mater Hospital
- Maternity Hospital
Useful links
Vaginal mesh – frequently asked questions (FAQs)