Gynaecological Cancers information for referrers
Referral route
Urgent suspected cancer (“2ww”) gynaecology referrals are managed on e-RS by a ‘Referral Assessment Service (RAS)’. This means appointment bookings cannot be made by the referrer and will ‘ defer to provider ’. Please refer into Urgent Suspected Cancer - Gynaecology RAS - Gynae Unit ’. We will then triage your referral and book the patient into one of our gynaecology services:
- Urgent Suspected Cancer - Acute Gynaecology - Acute Gynae Unit
- Urgent Suspected Cancer - Colposcopy - Women’s Outpatients Department1
- Urgent Suspected Cancer - One Stop Hysteroscopy - Womens Outpatients Department
- Urgent Suspected Cancer - Vulval - Womens Outpatients Department2
1Colposcopy - post-coital bleeding below age 35 years should be referred as routine colposcopy. If the patient is post-menopausal and experiencing post coital bleeding, please refer to Urgent Suspected Cancer - Colposcopy.
2Vulval service is not suitable for infective vulvovaginitis, Bartholin’s cyst/abscess, cosmetic issues e.g. request for labial reduction, and pelvic floor problems.
Possible procedures on typical USC (“2 ww”) pathway
Acute Gynaecology
- Physical examination
- Ultrasound Scan
- Diagnostic hysteroscopy
- Polypectomy
- Resection of fibroid
- Endometrial biopsy
- Removal/insertion of coil (as part of the urgent suspected cancer procedures)
- Division of adhesions
Colposcopy
- Colposcopy of the cervix
- Treatment of CIN (cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia)
- Cervical biopsy, vaginal biopsy
Hysteroscopy
Transvaginal scan will be carried out to determine if hysteroscopy is required. If confirmed, we will then do hysteroscopy.
Vulval
Examination, vulvoscopy, vulval biopsy. There is a chaperone during examinations and scans.
Essential tests prior to referral
Acute Gynaecology - none
Colposcopy - please do speculum examination for suspicious cervix referral
One Stop Hysteroscopy - none
Vulva l - physical examination
Optional tests (concurrent to referral) or other useful information
Acute Gynaecology - If the patient has had a previous scan please attach
Colposcopy - none
One Stop Hysteroscopy - none
Vulval - FBC, HbA1c, Thyroid function, autoimmune screen
Things the hospital or patient need to know
- Please specify in the referral if the patient has any mobility problems (if hoist is required and if an advocate is required. Please ensure transport is booked and please ensure patient has hysteroscopy information leaflet: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/hysteroscopy
- Colposcopy - not applicable
- One Stop Hysteroscopy - please specify in the referral if patient is on blood thinners
- Vulval - Please let us know if the patient requires an advocate, interpreter or if they have mobility problems
What the hospital tells the patient in letters
Acute Gynaecology
We try hard to minimise delays in clinic. Please allow up to 2 hours for your appointment. You may have an ultrasound scan during your visit.
Please note, we have both male and female Gynaecologists. If you only wish to see a female Gynaecologist, contact us on 020 8510 5099 so we can try to meet your request. This may mean you have to wait longer for an appointment. Certain clinics are only run by male Gynaecologists. If so, we will not be able to give you an appointment with a female Gynaecologist.
Colposcopy
We try hard to minimise delays in clinic. Please allow up to 2 hours for your appointment. You may need a biopsy or treatment during your visit. Please ensure you have a proper meal and take painkillers that you are used to taking, e.g. Paracetamol or Ibuprofen 1 hour before your appointment.
We recommend that you do not cycle to the clinic and, if you prefer, you bring someone with you.
If you are on your period, we can still see you as usual if you are comfortable with this. There will be a physical examination and possibly a biopsy. If you would prefer to rebook, you can do so by ringing 020 8510 5099.
For more information, see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cervical-screening-colposcopy
Hysteroscopy
During your clinic visit you may need an ultrasound scan, gynaecological examination (internal examination/speculum examination ) or blood tests. These examinations may take longer than a normal consultation. A hysteroscopy or biopsy might be offered, and the appointment may take longer than normal. We try hard to minimise delays in clinic but please allow up to 2 hours for your appointment.
Please ensure you have a proper meal and take painkillers that you are used to taking, e.g. Paracetamol or Ibuprofen 1 hour before your appointment .
We recommend that you do not cycle to the clinic and, if you prefer, you bring someone with you.
You can read information about hysteroscopies here: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/hysteroscopy/
If you are on your period, we can still see you as usual if you are comfortable with this. If you would prefer to rebook, you can do so by ringing 020 8510 5099.
Please note, we have both male and female Gynaecologists. If you only wish to see a female Gynaecologist, contact us before your appointment on 020 8510 5099 so we can try to meet your request. This may mean you have to wait longer for an appointment. In some cases, we may not be able to meet this request.
Vulval
We try hard to minimise delays in clinic. Please allow up to 2 hours for your appointment. You may need a biopsy/treatment during your visit. Therefore please make sure you have a proper meal and take painkillers that you are used to taking, e.g. Paracetamol or Ibuprofen, before coming to the clinic. Do not cycle to the clinic. For more information, visit: www.gov.uk/government/publications/cervical-screening-colposcopy
Useful information
Patient videos