The gynaecology ultrasound services are located on 5 sites within Greater Glasgow and Clyde:
- New Victoria Hospital – Level 2 Clinic K
- New Stobhill Hospital – Level 3 Clinic F
- Royal Alexandra Hospital – Maternity Building, Ground Floor, Ultrasound Department.
- Inverclyde Royal Hospital – Gynaecology out-patient department
- Vale of Leven Hospital – Gynaecology out-patient department
How can I access this service?
You will be referred by your GP or by a hospital consultant.
What will happen when I arrive at the Gynaecology Ultrasound Service?
It is helpful if you have a full bladder when you attend for scan. Your scan may be performed in two ways: by abdominal approach (a full bladder will help with this method) and or vaginal approach. Both of these methods are comfortable and the sonographer will explain why they have chosen which method is best on the day. The doctor or sonographer may ask you when your last period was and we can carry out scans at any time of the cycle, including when you have your period.
Your appointment will take around 10 to 30 minutes.
The doctor or sonographer may explain some of the findings during the examination. You will get a more detailed explanation of your results at a separate clinic appointment or by letter from your gynaecology consultant or GP.
Contact Details
- Monday to Friday 9.00am until 5.00pm
New Victoria Hospital
- Location: Clinic K
- Telephone number: 0141 347 8606
New Stobhill Hospital
- Location: Clinic F
- Telephone number: 0141 355 1220
Royal Alexandra Hospital Maternity Unit
Location: Ultrasound Department
Telephone number: 0141 314 6748
Inverclyde Royal Hospital
- Location: OP ultrasound is at Main X-ray Level C
- Telephone number: 01475 504963
Vale of Leven Hospital Maternity Building
- Location: Gynaecology out-patient department
- Telephone number 01389 817275
The Endometriosis Clinic for the West of Scotland is an Accredited Specialist Centre. It is based in Glasgow with sites at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and the New Victoria ACH.
What do we offer?
We provide dedicated care for our patients with the support from a Multi Professional dedicated team of Specialist Consultants, Nurses, Pain Management Team, Urology and Bowel Surgeons and clerical staff together to ensure the patient receives outstanding care.
The Consultants are experts in woman’s health and the management of endometriosis, including the most complex surgical techniques. The management of your care will be in discussion with you and how this supports you and your symptoms.
The Consultants operate weekly outpatient’s clinic appointments and surgical intervention.
The Endometriosis Nurse Specialist operates outpatient’s clinic and telephone consultations, and will provide you with ongoing support.
How can I access this service?
The service is accessed via a referral system from either your gynaecologist or GP and concentrating on patients with confirmed advanced endometriosis.
What can I expect at my appointment?
Please bring any menstrual/pain diary with you to allow this to be discussed at your consultation. This assessment is important to tailor your proposed care to your specific needs. Questions will involve your menstrual, bowel and bladder activities together with any potential future fertility plans.
It can be useful to write down any questions you may have about your condition and future management before your appointment and bring it with you so you don’t forget to ask during the appointment.
The Consultant will go through your history with you. You will then be examined (this includes vaginal examination) and may also undergo transvaginal ultrasound scan. If you are on your menstrual period that shouldn’t be a problem and you can still have examination and ultrasound unless you prefer not to.
The next step is a discussion of available options. We will formulate a treatment plan that may involve medical or surgical management. If surgical option is appropriate the waiting time for this will be depended on whether you will require input from other surgical specialities i.e. bowel surgeons, urology surgeons.
The team
Specialist Consultants
- Dr Robert Hawthorn
- Dr Karina Datsun
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Contact Details
Secretary to Dr Hawthorn and Dr Datsun
Leaflets
More information coming soon.
Vulval Clinic
This service cares for women who have conditions affecting the vulval area, where initial treatment has not been successful.
We see women with a range of different conditions which include (but are not limited to):
- Lichen Sclerosus
- Lichen Planus
- Lichen simplex chronicus
- Rare vulval skin conditions
- Vulval pain.
What to expect at the vulval clinic
This is a specialist multidisciplinary clinic run by two gynaecologists and a dermatologist. Due to the nature of the conditions, you may also be seen by other specialists from sexual health and oral medicine.
You can expect to undergo a consultation and examination, which will include looking at the vulval skin. You may be asked if we can monitor your condition with photographs, available via our clinical photography service. These would form part of your confidential clinical record and access is limited to clinicians involved in your care.
We may need to perform a vulval biopsy, under local anaesthetic.
How to access this service
You will be referred by a consultant dermatologist or gynaecologist who will have reviewed you first. In some instances, you may be directly referred by your GP.
If you have previously been seen in this clinic, you can refer yourself back if necessary. This is called a patient initiated referral.
Where will I be seen?
The vulval clinic is located in clinic area K at the New Victoria Hospital.
Clinic times
The clinic is usually held on the first Friday of the month. Both gynaecologists and our dermatologist are available 9am – 1pm. Our gynaecologists are also available 1.00pm – 5.00pm.
Additional information and resources
One Stop Hysteroscopy Clinics
Our one-stop hysteroscopy service sees women for a range of different conditions including:
- Postmenopausal bleeding ( bleeding which happens more than a year after the change of life)
- Heavy or irregular periods
- Bleeding after intercourse
- Lost coil threads/ need a hormone coil inserted.
As well as clinics to investigate these things we also have treatment clinics for:
- Removal of endometrial (womb) polyps
- Endometrial ablation (a minor surgical treatment for heavy periods).
What will happen in the clinic?
Before you attend the clinic you will be sent a leaflet explaining what to expect and outlining possible procedures which may be carried out during your visit.
There are currently 2 hospitals that have a ‘One Stop’ clinic, Stobhill Hospital and the Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH).
On arrival
When you arrive at Stobhill you can either check-in at the self-service points in the entrance hall or go straight to Clinic F to check in there.
When you arrive at the RAH you need to go to the reception in the Maternity Building where you will be directed to Clinic B.
The consultation
Once you have checked in you will be seen by a consultant. They will take your medical history and ask about your symptoms. You will then be shown to your private diagnostic suite. Each suite has a private changing room and separate treatment area. A nurse will help you get ready and explain things to you.
Most women will have a vaginal scan carried out. Some women will have a hysteroscopy examination (tiny telescope used to check the lining of the womb) and some women will have a sample of tissue taken from the lining of the womb (pipelle biopsy). Your consultant will discuss all of these things with you before carrying them out.
After your examination, you can stay in the recovery area for a hot drink or, if you prefer, leave immediately.
You will be given an information leaflet about any tests you have had and also given a card with the telephone number for the service in case you need more advice following your appointment.
Your consultant will write to you and your GP with the results of your investigations and will arrange any further treatment that is needed.
How do I access this service?
You can be referred by your GP or by a hospital consultant.
Where will I be seen?
The clinics are held in Stobhill Ambulatory Care Hospital, Level 2, Clinic F and the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Maternity Building, Ground Floor, Clinic B.
Opening times and contact details
Clinics run: Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.
Stobhill Hospital
Charge Nurse Shona Brown: 0141 355 1212
Royal Alexandra Hospital
Senior Charge Nurse Janette Lindsay: 0141 314 9553
Further information
The Gynaecology Oncology Department at Glasgow Royal Infirmary is the referral centre for the West of Scotland.
Our service offers diagnosis and specialist treatment for all types of gynaecological cancer. Treatments may include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Women are cared for by a multidisciplinary team (MDT) of specialists which includes oncological surgeons, clinical and medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, clinical nurse specialists (CNS) and pharmacists.
How will my care be managed?
The team meet once per week to discuss all patients with a suspected or confirmed gynaecological cancer. Decisions regarding further investigations and potential treatment plans are made at this meeting. You will be informed of the recommendations from this meeting by your gynaecology consultant or your clinical nurse specialist.
Your care may be delivered at the following locations:
Hospitals
- Glasgow Royal Infirmary
- Stobhill Ambulatory Care Hospital (Stobhill ACH)
- Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre.
Outpatient clinics
Outpatient clinics are held in:
- Stobhill ACH
- Glasgow Royal Infirmary
- Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre.
Inpatient surgery
Inpatient surgery is based in Glasgow Royal Infirmary.
Other treatments
Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and clinical trials are delivered from the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre.
What if I need surgical treatment?
If you require surgical treatment you will be referred to the Gynaecology Oncology Department at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. You will then receive an appointment for a clinic with the Gynaecology Oncology Consultant who will discuss the proposed treatment plan with you. This may be in the form of a face to face clinic appointment, a telephone or video consultation.
Preoperative assessment
You will also receive an appointment for a preoperative assessment (POA) clinic at either Glasgow Royal Infirmary or Stobhill Hospital. This will be a face to face appointment with a trained pre-operative assessment nurse.
They will ask you some questions regarding your general health, past medical history and medication history.
They will check your pulse and blood pressure and take some routine pre surgery blood tests.
Your surgical appointment
You will receive details of the date and time for admission for surgery by letter and or telephone. At the moment all patients who have been referred for surgery are asked to socially isolate for a minimum of 2 weeks before their operation.
A Coronavirus/Covid 19 test will be done prior to surgery. This is usually a swab from the nose and throat. You will need to attend the ward for this in the days prior to your surgery.
We will only proceed with your cancer operation if the Covid test is negative. All of these steps are taken to reduce your risk of exposure to coronavirus and reduce your risk of developing Covid 19.
What if I need chemotherapy or radiotherapy?
If you require chemotherapy or radiotherapy you will receive this treatment at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre. The department is actively involved in research and clinical trials. The clinical trials unit is also based at the Beatson.
Our staff
We have a dedicated team made up of consultants, advanced nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists and support staff.
The gynaecology oncology consultants based at Glasgow Royal Infirmary are:
- Dr Kevin Burton
- Dr Rhona Lindsay
- Dr Nadeem Siddiqui.
The Gynaecology Oncology Nurse Specialists are:
- Clinical Nurse Specialist Lesley Kelly: 0141 201 3356
- Clinical Nurse Specialist Margaret McClay: 0141 201 3357
- Clinical Nurse Specialist Rae Roan: 0141 314 6827
If you require support then you can contact your local Clinical Nurse Specialist or those based at Glasgow Royal Infirmary and Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre.
Additional support
You may find the following websites helpful:
What is Colposcopy?
Most patients seen in colposcopy clinics do not have cancer. The aim is to spot and treat abnormalities before they become cancerous. Clinics provide care for women with abnormal cervical smears. They diagnose and treat various conditions including abnormal cells and early cancers of the cervix. They also care for women with other conditions affecting the vulva and vagina.
Colposcopy is an examination to look closely at the cervix (neck of the womb) using a special microscope. Similar examination may be performed at the vulva (vulvoscopy) or vagina (vaginoscopy). Small tissue samples (biopsies) may be taken to check for any pre-cancerous or cancerous change. Treatment for pre-cancerous change can also be done at the same time if needed.
Colposcopy Clinics in NHSGGC
Our clinics mainly provide care for women with abnormal cervical smears. We diagnose and treat various conditions including abnormal cells and early cancers of the cervix. We also care for women with other conditions affecting the vulva and vagina.
Glasgow Clinics
Clyde Clinics
- Royal Alexandra Hospital
- Inverclyde Royal Hospital
- Vale of Leven Hospital
Who needs to be seen in the colposcopy clinic?
Women with:
- abnormal smears
- abnormal cells on their cervix (CIN – Cervical Intra-epithelial Neoplasia) who require treatment
- abnormal looking cervix or symptoms that their GP / nurse thinks requires a second opinion
- suspected or proven vulval abnormalities
What happens in the clinic?
The doctor will check your details and smear history. You will be asked to get changed in a private area and the doctor will examine you on a couch with leg supports.
A speculum will be placed into the vagina (similar to a smear test). A solution will then be applied to the cervix to help show up any abnormalities.
If any abnormality is seen, the doctor may:
Take a biopsy
A tiny sample of the surface of the cervix will be taken and sent to the lab for testing. This may sting briefly.
Offer treatment either at the same appointment or at a later date
For those who need treatment, a local anaesthetic is injected into the cervix (this can sting a little for a very short time), so you will not feel any pain during treatment.
We offer 2 types of treatment:
‘LLETZ’/‘a loop’
- A thin wire is used to remove the abnormal area from the cervix. The tissue removed will be sent away for more tests.
Cold coagulation/‘short heat treatment’
- The abnormal tissue will be burned away by heat and no tissue sample will be sent away with this method
- Our staff will check that you are feeling well after the procedure and offer after-care advice
- The doctor will write to you with the test results. (It is important that we have the right address for you).
Clinic contact details
If you need to contact the clinic for any reason e.g. you are running a little late, the contact number are as follows:
- Royal Alexandra Hospital: 0141 314 6719
- Inverclyde Royal Hospital: 01457 525 411
- Vale of Leven Hospital: 01389 817 275
- Stobhill Hospital: 0141 355 1209
Additional information and support
Further information on smear can be obtained from the NHS Inform Cervical Screening Smear Test webpage.
Further details on colposcopy can be obtained from the NHS Inform Colposcopy webpage.
Useful organisations
For the small number of women who receive a diagnosis of cervical cancer, support and information will have been given by the colposcopy team and your local Clinical Nurse Specialist. Further useful information may be obtained from: