Gynaecology

Our services are tailored to meet the needs of our local population and include:

In-patient care for both major and minor gynaecological surgery, including laparoscopic (keyhole) and traditional surgery
Outpatient gynaecology clinics, colposcopy, HSC, uro-gynaecology, uro-dynamics clinics
Gynaecology Assessment Unit providing emergency gynaecological care and an early, emergency pregnancy service

Antenatal clinics are provided by Wythenshawe and Saint Mary’s Hospitals.

The Gynaecology ward is part of the Surgical Unit situated on the ground floor of Trafford General Hospital. This unit comprises 20 beds (two eight-bedded bays and four single rooms); 24-hour nursing care is provided by our dedicated, professional gynaecology nursing staff. The Gynaecology Assessment Unit is situated alongside it.

Outpatient clinics

We provide outpatient facilities for a full range of gynaecological problems, with six to seven clinic sessions per week. Referrals to these clinics can be made through your GP or hospital consultants from other departments. Each clinic has a lead clinician and you will be met by experienced gynaecological nurses who will advise you on waiting times and any other related queries you may have.

The Gynaecology consultants are:-

Mr Anthony Nysenbaum
Dr Rosemary Howell
Mr Mahmoud Elghazawy

Colposcopy clinics

Direct referral from cytology to the Colposcopy clinic is now available but you can also be referred by the doctor or nurse who performed your smear test, if required. Routine appointments will be given within eight weeks; for a more urgent referral, an appointment will be made for you to attend within two to four weeks. You will receive an information leaflet about your investigation with your appointment date.

There are three to four colposcopy clinics on alternate weeks (i.e. three one week, four the next). These take place on Tuesday mornings and alternate between all day Wednesday and Friday morning. Your consultant will be Mr Nysenbaum, Dr Howell or Mr Elghazawy. We also have a nurse-led smear clinic on a Monday afternoon. An experienced colposcopy nurse will be with you at all times and will answer any concerns you may have.

Urogynaecology and pelvic floor dysfunction clinic

This clinic receives all referrals for lower urinary tract and urinary incontinence problems as well as genital tract prolapse problems. Our uro-gynaecology specialist, Mr Elghazawy, will assess you in the clinic with a multidisciplinary team including a senior physiotherapist and a continence advisor. They will give you advice on how you can care for yourself while waiting for, or receiving, further treatment.

Trafford General Hospital recently became one of only six urogynaecology centres in the country, and the first in Greater Manchester, to be accredited by the British Society of Urogynaecology. This national recognition demonstrates that the service provides high-quality care and delivers best practice to its patients.

Uro-dynamic clinic

A further appointment may be given to attend Mr Elghazawy’s uro-dynamic investigation clinic, which is based on the Gynaecology Unit; this investigation will help us decide on the treatment that will be of most benefit to you.

Pre-operative clinic

It is important that patients attend a pre-op clinic before having elective (planned) surgery. All pre-op clinics take place ground floor of Trafford General, alongside the Orthopaedic Outpatients Unit. An appointment will be made for you to attend the clinic a week or so before your surgery. It is very important that you attend this assessment to ensure there are no underlying problems before your surgery and to give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Your pre-op nurse will also provide you with information leaflets on your forthcoming surgery for you to take home and read at your leisure.

If you have any queries regarding your surgery before you are admitted, please ring 0161 746 2112 at any time. A trained member of staff will be happy to assist you in your enquiries. Please be aware that failure to attend the pre-op clinic could put your surgery at risk.

Gynaecology Assessment Unit – urgent and emergency care

The unit provides urgent and emergency care to women with any gynaecological conditions or in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. It is open 8am-8pm from Monday to Friday. Ultrasound appointments are available on weekdays between 10.40am and 4.00pm, booked through the Gynaecology Assessment Unit (0161 746 2850). Sister Heather Entwistle is the lead nurse on the unit.

Referral to the unit can be through your GP, midwife, Accident & Emergency, family planning or through self-referral. On arrival at the hospital, it is important to first attend the triage in A&E where they will take your personal details and basic observations. If these are stable, you will be shown directly to the unit.

Who Should Attend?

Women in early pregnancy who have had a positive pregnancy test but are less than 16 weeks’ gestation and are suffering from a pregnancy-related problem.
Women who have been an inpatient in hospital and have undergone gynaecological treatment or surgery within the past month.
Women who are one month post-partum with post-delivery related problems.
Women who are experiencing any gynaecological symptoms that would need Accident & Emergency assessment.

Please note that we are unable to provide treatment for any unrelated health problems you may have.

If you are unsure whether you should attend, please contact the department on 0161 746 2850. We will be happy to advise you over the phone.

Waiting times

This is an emergency service and waiting times are dependent on the number of people attending the unit at that time. Unfortunately, if an emergency occurs this may mean other patients have to wait a little longer but we will do our best to ensure you are seen as soon as possible.

Gynaecology ward

The Ward Matron is Sister Philippa Knight.

Quality of care

It is important to all the Gynaecology team (doctors, nurses and support staff) that the care you receive is of the highest quality and you leave our service with a high regard for the professionalism and kindness of our staff. We also hope you will feel you have been cared for in a clean and respectful environment.

If you have any concerns, please speak to the Ward Matron, Sister Philippa Knight, or the Ward Sister. Alternatively, you can speak to the Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALS) via the nursing staff or by calling them direct.

Support team

There are other members of the team that you may come into contact with if you have more specific needs while in hospital or when you are discharged from hospital.

Visiting hours and food service

Visiting hours are between 2.00pm-4.00pm and 6.00pm-8.00pm. Please be aware that patient meal times are protected so you cannot visit the ward at these times. It is important that our patients can eat meals without being disturbed, as it is an important part of their treatment and recuperation.

Breakfast is served from 7.30am to 9.00am
Lunch is served from 12.15pm to 1.30pm
Dinner is served from 4.30pm to 5.30pm

Menus are distributed to all inpatients. Specialised diets are catered for and the hospital maintains a staff of registered dieticians to meet specific dietary needs.

Non-smoking site

Smoking is not allowed on the hospital site. If you smoke, please speak to either your GP or pre-op nurse before you are admitted to hospital, as you might find it helpful to obtain Nicotine Replacement Therapy (e.g.patches) or a referral to Smoking Cessation Nurse.

TV, hospital radio and other entertainment

The bedside Hospedia entertainment service (previously, known as Patientline) is available to all patients. It contains television, internet and phone access. A member of Hospedia staff will be available on a daily basis if you are experiencing any difficulties with this service.

Discharge home after surgery

Please discuss any concerns you may have about this with your nurse or doctor prior to your discharge day, so they can ensure all your questions are answered to your satisfaction. Make sure you have any prescriptions needed and you have transport home.

Consultants

Mr Mahmoud Elghazawy - Consultant Gynaecologist