The gynaecology emergency assessment unit (GEAU) unit is open 7 days a week from 7.30am until 8pm. It is staffed by nurse specialists and doctors.
Out of hours the gynaecology emergency service is delivered from ward 40.
We see women with complications in early pregnancy such as pain or bleeding as well as a range of presentations in women who are not pregnant.
If you have had your dating scan you should call maternity assessment unit (MAU).
If you need to be referred into our unit, this can be done through:
- Your GP
- Your community midwife
- A&E.
You will either be asked to come straight to the unit or will be given a time to attend for an ultrasound scan in our early pregnancy clinic.
If you are bleeding heavily from your vagina and it causing you to feel dizzy or pass out, ring an ambulance on 999 and you will be taken to an emergency department (A&E).
Some women can self refer for an early pregnancy scan
If you have had:
- Recurrent miscarriages (2 or more)
- Previous ectopic pregnancies
- Previous molar pregnancies.
You can call the team once you are over 6 weeks pregnant.
Where are we
We are located on level 4 Leazes wing near Ward 40.
Between the hours of 7.30am and 3.30pm you will check in at the reception desk in the EPAC clinic and we will confirm some details with you
Out with these hours please check in at the desk on Ward 40. You will need to ring the bell at the door.
What to expect
If you have been given a time to attend for a scan we ask you come to the unit 10 minutes before your appointment time so that we can check some details with you.
You will be asked to wait in the small waiting area in EPAC. A nurse specialist will perform a transvaginal scan for you so you will need an empty bladder. Space is limited but we understand that you might like one person with you for support.
We do not performs ultrasound scans in women who are less than 6 weeks unless we are concerned about ectopic pregnancy. This is because an ultrasound scan cannot accurately provide definite information at this stage in pregnancy.
If you have been asked to attend you can come straight to the unit and after being checked in you will have your blood pressure and heart rate checked. We will ask you for a urine sample for testing.
You will be asked to wait in our waiting room and then a nurse will take some details from you about your symptoms and general health.
We aim to see patients as soon as possible but our unit can be very busy. Our nurses and doctors provide emergency care across the hospital and maternity so this can sometimes mean that stable patients need to wait to be seen.
We may perform blood tests, examinations and take swab tests. You may receive treatment and be discharged the same day but some women require admission to the ward for further investigations. If admission is not required then further tests can be arranged as an outpatient.
Further information
- Ultrasound scan – NHS
- Heavy periods – NHS
- Missed or late periods – NHS
- Irregular periods – NHS
- Vaginal bleeding between periods or after sex – NHS
- Postmenopausal bleeding – NHS
- Ovulation pain – NHS
- Pelvic pain – NHS
- Period pain – NHS
- Vaginal discharge – NHS
- Vaginitis – NHS
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) – NHS
- Pelvic inflammatory disease – NHS
- Syphilis – NHS
- Gonorrhoea – NHS
- Bartholin’s cyst – NHS
- Contraception – NHS
- Endometriosis – NHS
- Fibroids – NHS
- Pelvic organ prolapse – NHS
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) – NHS
- Female genital mutilation (FGM) – NHS
