The Gynaecology Collaborative (GC) is a community gynaecology service in Haringey and Islington. It's primary goal is to ensure patients receive timely care from the right specialist in the most appropriate setting. Patients may be offered an appointment in one of the clinics or the referral may be redirected to other community services such as Family Planning, Sexual Health, Bladder and Bowel services, or hospital clinics within the partner hospitals. 

Investigations such as blood tests and imaging can be arranged within the service.

Patients suitable for community clinic care are seen by either GPs with an extended role in gynaecology or gynaecology consultants from Whittington, North Middlesex, or UCLH hospital trusts.

The current wait time to a first appointment for patients referred to the Gynaecology Collaborative in Haringey and Islington is six weeks.

Most patients are seen face-to-face in one of the community locations. 

Referral Process

The GC's referral form includes links to all NCL primary care pathways. Referrals are clinically triaged within five working days; urgent referrals will be triaged within 48 hours.

The service offers:

• Assessment, investigation and treatment of common gynaecological conditions such as abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain, PCOS, secondary amenorrhoea, vulva problems, vaginal prolapse and urinary incontinence as well as minor surgical procedures.
• A detailed list of conditions treated in the community gynaecology clinics can be found on the referral form. 
• An advanced menopause clinic which is supported by a consultant-led MDT.     
• Shadowing opportunities are offered to clinicians, as well as tailored educational sessions for GP practices and PCNs in Haringey and Islington. 
• The service runs a variety of sessions across the week, from three different clinic locations. At each location, there will be a GPwER in Gynaecology, directly employed by the service, supported by a consultant gynaecologist. 

Below is a list of minor gynaecology procedures which GPs can refer for:

• removal of cervical polyps
• cautery of cervical ectropion
• hysteroscopy
• cautery of episiotomy scar
• vaginal pessary fitting/changing
• removal or biopsy of benign vulva lesions
• difficult cervical screening (smear).

The service is administered from Islington GP Federation offices in Hornsey Street, Islington. 

The clinical leads are Dr. Karin Schachinger and Dr. Laila Morris (currently on maternity leave).

For queries, contact the dedicated service administrators:
e: igpf.gynaecollab@nhs.net
t: 020 3915 8800

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusions

• postcoital and/or intermenstrual bleeding
• menorrhagia
• oligomenorrhoea/secondary amenorrhoea
• PCOS for consideration of Metformin/Spironolactone
• symptomatic fibroids
• symptomatic ovarian cysts
• pelvic pain and/or endometriosis
• complex menopause/POI
• problems with HRT incl. unscheduled bleeding
• testosterone initiation
• vaginal prolapse for pessary fitting
• vulva or perineal lesions

Exclusions

• 2WW cancer referrals
• early pregnancy
• termination of pregnancy
• aged under 16
• oncology (established diagnosis)
• fertility and recurrent miscarriage (refer directly to hospital)
• contraception-related issue (refer directly to family planning)
• colposcopy (refer directly to hospital)
• urinary incontinence and mild/moderate prolapse (refer to Whittington hospital bladder and bowel care service or perinatal pelvic health if pregnant or up to 12 months postnatal)
• housebound patients (unless they are able to arrange their own transport)

How to Refer

Locations

Islington GP Federation offices