A nurse-led gynaecology emergency assessment service

A gynaecology emergency assessment unit was established because an increasing number of women were being referred to the gynaecology ward for assessment. On average 180 women a month are assessed at the unit and there is potential for that number to increase. An audit has revealed that only 7.2% of women seen in the unit required admission, the remainder being suitable for treatment as outpatients. Before the unit was established it was normal practice for any referrals to be automatically admitted until the junior doctor on call could assess them and decide an appropriate care plan.