Gynaecology
One of the National Women and Infants Health Programme's aims is to improve access to gynaecology services in Ireland. NWIHP seeks to redesign the way these services are organised and delivered. This makes sure there are services available to help women with gynaecological conditions.
Ambulatory Gynaecology
An ambulatory clinic is a healthcare facility that provides treatment to patients who don’t need to be hospitalised. Ambulatory gynaecology clinics see women with symptoms like abnormal bleeding or postmenopausal bleeding
NWIHP has developed a Model of Care for Ambulatory Gynaecology that sees women completing their care within a reduced timeframe, sometimes a single visit. This includes assessment, investigations and treatment. For example, pelvic/transvaginal ultrasound, hysteroscopy, or biopsy, as clinically indicated.
The model of care imagines the development of 20 of these clinics across the country. The first clinic opened in 2020 and presently, 16 clinics are fully operational.
Ambulatory Gynaecology Model of Care (PDF, size 354.3 KB, 28 pages)
Menopause
The majority of women experiencing menopausal symptoms can be managed by their GP. However, specialist clinics to help manage the more complex symptoms are also needed.
The first specialist menopause clinic opened in the National Maternity Hospital in December 2021. Five more specialist, complex menopause hubs have since opened in Cork, Galway, the Rotunda Hospital, the Coombe Hospital, and Nenagh.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is an important area for improvement in women’s health services.
"Right care, right place, right time" is the principle of the ongoing development of endometriosis services across Ireland. Two supra-regional services designed to manage severe, complex endometriosis have been established in Tallaght University Hospital and Cork University Maternity Hospital. Five regional hubs will support the supra-regional services with the management of moderate cases.