Gynaecology
The gynaecology and gynaecological cancer services at The North West London Hospitals NHS Trust diagnose and treat a range of disorders affecting the female reproductive organs.
Description of service
We offer a general gynaecology service as well as a variety of specialist services.
For specific clinics please see the pages for:
family planning, urogynaecology and fertility.
Gynaecology
Colposocopy - The colposocopy team looks after women with abnormal smears and treats precancerous lesions of the cervix. We provide an outpatients' diagnostic and treatment service by qualified colposcopists.
Emergency gynaecology - The gynaecology direct referral (GDR) service incorporates an in-hours appointment service following referral from GPs. The unit is based in the Lister Unit on Dowland Ward, level 4 at Northwick Park Hospital.
Endometriosis - Specialist and tertiary referral centre for endometriosis. The multidisciplinary team offers a holistic approach to the management of endometriosis.
Gynaecology cancer services - Rapid access clinics for suspected gynaecological cancers work alongside general gynaecology, hysteroscopy and colposcopy with close assessment and management of suspected cancer referrals. The department has rapid access to imaging and dedicated MRI slots and is linked with the palliative care team when needed.
Confirmed cancer cases are discussed at weekly multidisciplinary team meetings, where all healthcare professionals who play a role in a patient's treatment get together to ensure the best possible care for each patient. The meetings are held with the Hammersmith Hospital Cancer team by video link.
As per national guidelines cancer patients are either treated at the Trust or referred to the Hammersmith Cancer Centre as appropriate. Future follow-up is undertaken in dedicated combined cancer clinics at the Trust.
Also see the gynaecology cancer services page.
Hydrosonography - We provide a menstrual dysfunction service where saline uterina hydrosonography is the primary tool for investigating menstrual disorders.
Hysterosocpy - A hysteroscopy is a procedure where a doctor can look at the inside of the uterus (or womb) using a narrow telescope called a hysteroscope. Northwick Park Hospital has a one stop outpatient hysterosocpy service and a short stay surgical unit at Central Middlesex Hospital.
Menopause - We provide a premature ovarian failure clinic and a general menopause service with an integrated approach towards the menopause, including discussion about HRT, pharmacological alternatives and complementary therapies. We also assess and treat young (in reproductive age terms) and postmenopausal women with hormonal problems including menopause, premature menopause and osteoporosis. We also provide a counselling service to patients.
Minimal access service - Apart from diagnostic assessment and laparoscopies which are carried out in the short stay surgical unit (Central Middlesex Hospital), laparoscopic procedures such as hysterectomy, myomectomy, ovarian cystectomy, oophorectomy and laparoscopic treatments for endometriosis are available at both hospital sites.
Reproductive medicine - We provide fertility services on both sites. The fertility service offers investigation for all referred couples and treatment as necessary, apart from tertiary interventions such as IUI and IVF. The fertility team also manage cases of recurrent pregnancy loss and ovulatory disorders including PCOS. They have a special interest in women with polycystic ovaries; there is a fortnightly weight group session which involves dieticians and the fertility unit team. Women with fibroids, endometriosis and polycystic ovaries form a large proportion of our referrals and the team has special interests in these problems.
Urogynaecology - The service has the widest range of investigation for urinary and vaginal prolapse problems as well as faecal incontinence.
Consultation, investigation and treatment of all gynaecological conditions also include:
All aspects of general gynaecology
Pipelle biopsy
Zoladex/Hormone implants
Management of ring pessary
Ultrasound scanning
Saline uterine hydrosonography
Cervical polypectomy
Psycho-sexual counselling
Locations
Northwick Park and St Mark's Hospitals
Maternity unit, level 4
Central Middlesex Hospital
ACAD 5, ground floor
Contacts
Northwick Park and St Mark's Hospitals
- Appointments office
020 8869 2868 08.00 - 16.00 - Team Leader - Secretaries
020 8869 2862 07.00 - 15.00