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Early pregnancy assessment and gynaecology unit
The early pregnancy assessment and gynaecology unit (EPAGU) is a nurse-led, consultant-directed specialist unit for women who need emergency care for gynaecological problems and problems in early pregnancy.
Every effort is made to see any urgent GP referrals with abdominal pain in early pregnancy on the same day, and non-urgent referrals on the same or the next day.
The unit at Barnet Hospital is open Sunday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, with scanning facilities from 8.30am to 4.30pm.
At the Royal Free Hospital, the unit is open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 8pm, with scanning facilities from 9am to 5pm. The unit is also open on Saturday from 9am to 5pm.
Patients needing assistance outside of these hours should attend the hospitals’ emergency department.
The women's ambulatory unit
The women's ambulatory day unit (WADU) at North Middlesex University Hospital provides care for women with emergency gynaecology problems and women who are less than 18 weeks pregnant with a variety of early pregnancy conditions.
At the unit, there is a specially designed emergency area, including clinic rooms, scan facilities and treatment areas.
We aim to give women an appointment within 24 hours of being referred via their GP or by the emergency department. Please note this is not a walk-in service.
The unit looks after women who are experiencing the following:
- miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies
- early pregnancy complications, including bleeding and pain
- hyperemesis gravidarum (severe vomiting in pregnancy)
- anaemia (low iron levels in your blood) where iron infusions are recommended
- severe vulval and vaginal problems
- severe pelvic pain or pelvic inflammatory disease
- recent gynaecological surgery with post operative complications, and follow up
- heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) without anaemia
During the consultation, you will be asked questions about your current problem and medical history by the doctors and nurses.
You may also have to undergo one or more of the following:
- An examination, which may include an internal examination. Chaperones are available.
- Blood tests or swabs.
- Scans or other investigations. You may need to come back another day depending on availability.
If you are visiting us for a booked scan appointment, please note for the majority of women this will be an internal scan (transvaginal ultrasound), and a chaperone will be present.
For many women, we can offer same day treatment.
Referrals are either from a GP or the emergency department.
A wide selection of information is available if you are experiencing problems in early pregnancy:
