Services available

We are a nurse-led service, supported by sonographers and the on-call gynaecology medical team (including a lead consultant gynaecologist). After a history and examination, scans and blood tests are carried out on site if indicated.

Management may be provided in the EPAU or women may be referred to other specialty services including the women’s outpatient department, the fetal medicine unit, day stay unit or for inpatient care in Priestly Ward.

When necessary, ongoing support and advice is provided either in person or by telephone by EPAU staff.

A leaflet with more information is available from the department.

Making an appointment

We are open from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Appointments can be made by GPs, A&E (fast track) or other health professionals by telephoning the receptionist on 020 8510 7861.

Self-referrals are accepted (020 8510 7861) from women who have had a previous miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy.

EPAU is within the acute gynaecology unit on the first floor, yellow corridor. There is a comfortable waiting area and women are usually seen within 30 minutes of arrival.

Routine investigations

Patients will be seen by a nurse and an ultrasound scan will be performed in order to visualise the pregnancy. The scan may be done externally through the abdomen, or internally through the vagina. Neither of these techniques are harmful to you or the pregnancy. Internal scans are performed in order to clearly see a very early pregnancy. Depending on the outcome of the scan, blood tests may be required.

What to expect

Appointments are usually available within a few days of referral. We offer expectant, medical and surgical management of miscarriage. This means that if a miscarriage is diagnosed, you have the option of waiting to see if the pregnancy tissues pass naturally, or taking tablets to speed up the process, or a small operation to empty the womb. If you opt to wait for a natural miscarriage you will be followed up by a nurse in EPAU. 

We offer an outpatient procedure called MVA to remove the pregnancy tissue under local anaesthetic. This is highly effective and acceptable, and can be done in the clinic. It is usually straightforward and means that women opting for this method avoid the need for a General Anaesthetic. The procedure can usually be done as soon as the decision is made and takes approx 5 minutes. Pain killers are given prior to the procedure as there will be some discomfort during the procedure, which wears off quickly afterwards. Please see the accompanying leaflet for further information.

We also offer expectant, medical and surgical treatment of ectopic pregnancy. Some ectopic pregnancies will resolve on their own with close observation and follow-up.  Some ectopic pregnancies can be treated with a drug called methotrexate and others require an operation. Most of the operations for ectopic pregnancy are performed through keyhole surgery, which means you have to stay in hospital for one to two days and can return to your former activities sooner. Patients requiring admission will be admitted to Priestley Ward. If a non-urgent operation is required we will book this for a few day’s time. 

We also offer support and investigation for women with recurrent miscarriage, who require sequential ultrasound scans in early pregnancy for reassurance and may require special treatment if an underlying condition is found. 

Ms Watson runs an outpatient clinic for women with recurring early miscarriage or early pregnancy problems. 

Ongoing support

Gynaecological nurse specialists are available in the EPAU for advice and support.    

Early pregnancy information websites

www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk
www.ectopic.org.uk
www.womens-health.co.uk

Key staff

Miss Sandra Watson
Lead consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist with a special interest in early pregnancy, acute gynaecology and gynaecological ultrasound, outpatient hysteroscopy, fetal medicine

Mr Eric Nyarko
Consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist with a special interest in early pregnancy and gynaecology scanning, laparoscopy and hysteroscopy

Carron Weekes
Nurse consultant
tel: 020 8510 7272     
email: carron.weekes@homerton.nhs.uk

Denise Brown
Clinical nurse specialist

Katharine Thompson
Clinical nurse specialist

Patience Sabau
Clinical nurse specialist

On-call gynaecology specialist registrar
tel: bleep via switchboard

On-call gynaecology senior house officer
tel: bleep via switchboard