Gynaecology Assessment Unit

What is the Gynaecology Assessment Unit?

We are a doctor led specialised unit for women who present as an emergency with acute gynaecological conditions such as:

Red/swollen/painful lump on the vagina known as a Bartholin’s cyst
Vaginal bleeding
Sudden abdominal pain
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Ovarian cyst
Severe nausea and vomiting in pregnant women (6 to 14 weeks)
Post operative problems for women who have had gynaecological
surgery within last 30 days
Vaginal bleeding or pain in early stages of pregnancy (between 6 to 14 weeks pregnant), presenting outside of Early Pregnancy. Unit working hours 8am to 6pm weekdays
Fluid collection related to underlying gynaecological cancer known as Ascites
Ovarian Hyperstimulation following fertility treatment
Post-natal problems for women who are 10 days post delivery and discharged by the midwife

Where is the unit?

We are situated on the 11th Floor of the Thomas Kemp Tower Block at The Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton. Telephone: 01273 523191.

Why am I here?

You may have been referred here by the following:

Emergency department
Urgent Care Centre (Out of Hours GP)
GP Surgery
Early Pregnancy Unit (EPU)
GAU
Outpatient Department
Another Speciality in the hospital

This is not a walk in clinic although open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All referrals are triaged and accepted by the Gynaecology Registrar or Consultant on call who would have notified the nurses prior to arrival.

What will happen when you arrive at the unit?

We aim to meet the government waiting times and see you within 4 hours of arrival to the GAU. However emergency patients are seen by the same staff on the ward so there may occasionally be a delay.

When you first arrive a nurse will:

Confirm your name, address, contact details and date of birth
Check your temperature, blood pressure and pulse
Ask you to provide a urine sample
Ask you questions about your condition
You will be asked to avoid eating and drinking until a doctor has seen you

You will then be seen by a doctor who will:

Ask you questions about your health and medical history
Perform a physical examination which will be explained to you
Carry out further investigations required, such as: blood tests swabs or an ultrasound scan

What happens after these investigations?

Your doctor will interpret the results and talk to you about a treatment plan. This may be:

Decide you are medically fit and able to go home
Arrange a follow-up appointment in GAU/EPU
Ask you to contact the unit for test results
Refer you to another speciality
Refer you to your GP
Explain the likelihood of having to stay in hospital and the reasons
Refer you to another outpatient clinic within the Gynaecology speciality

These decisions will be taken with your consent.

Useful links

Patient UK.(2010) Information leaflets (www.patient.co.uk)

BSUH NHS Trust (2012) GP005 Emergency Gynaecology Admissions and Gynaecology Assessment Unit

Produced by Ward Sisters Samantha Nair and Samantha Backley.

This information is intended for patients receiving care in Brighton & Hove or Haywards Heath.

The information in this leaflet is for guidance purposes only and is in no way intended to replace professional clinical advice by a qualified practitioner.