With hospital waiting lists constantly being in the news for being so long, the Rotunda Hospital's new out-patient facility couldn't come at a better time.
The one stop out-patient gynaecology service which is located at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Co. Dublin will treat benign gynaecology problems on an ambulatory or outpatient basis. It is believed this will relieve the hospital of up to 500 appointments from its waiting list this year.
The Out Patient Hysteroscopy Clinic, as it will be known, will facilitate the diagnosis of disease and provide treatment for conditions like the removal of polyps and fibroids and abnormal bleeding. Such interventions were traditionally the domain of hospital day procedure wards, with procedures conducted under general anaesthesia.
"This new service is essentially a ‘one-stop shop’ for patients with common gynaecological problems. We can provide examination, assessment and treatment all at the one facility in one visit, without the need for the patient to have multiple visits to the Hospital," explained Professor Fergal Malone, Master of the Rotunda Hospital.
"These day procedures are minimally invasive, and offer our patients rapid access to investigation, diagnosis and treatment whilst relieving the pressure on Hospital waiting lists. We estimate that the new service should cater for approximately 25% of all gynaecologic referrals to the Rotunda.”
The clinic will be operated by Rotunda consultants and staff and will operate four clinics per week. Appointments are made on a referral basis through the Rotunda. The new service is supported by the RCSI Hospital Group and Connolly Hospital.
