Gynaecology |
D3
|
Colposcopy
Colposcopy
Overview & Contact Details
The United Colposcopy Service sees all women with an abnormal cervical smear or any suspicion of cervical cancer. There is the option of a "one stop service" with treatment available at any visit.
Most women come to the colposcopy service because they had had an abnormality on their screening sear. The cytology laboratory organize the appointment, send patient information, notify the GP and update the national screening computer records.
The Colposcopy Service will also see and treat women referred by a medical practitioner or experienced practice nurse even if their recent smear has been normal if there is an unusual looking cervix, cervical polyp, troublesome postcoital bleeding requiring treatment, any suspicion of cervical cancer and if women are part of a vaginal oncology surveillance or if there are problems with the National surveillance programme.
Women with high grade smears (CIN2/3/CGIN) are usually offered treatment at first visit. Women with low grade smears are offered a biopsy and, dependant on the results, kept under surveillance or treated at a later date. Removal under anaesthesia is available on request or when necessary.
Full National guidelines are described in the NHSCSP Website:
NHSCSP
ISBN 1-84-4630-14-5
Updated May 2010
Women are sent information about their appointment and treatment options. They also receive information leaflets after their visit. Results are usually communicated to the referring practitioner and patient by letter within approximately 4 weeks.
Occasionally treatment is complicated by bleeding. A letter is given to the patient explaining the use of antibiotics. On very rare occasions, (less than 1per thousand), packing or suturing may be required. This is arranged by contacting the duty consultant for gynaecology via the RUH switchboard on 01225 428331.
Contact details
An answer phone will be in use out-of-hours, weekends and bank holidays.
Our Clinical Team
In alphabetical order:- Anna Donovan, Nurse Colposcopist
- Nick Johnson, Consultant Colposcopist
- Shashikant Sholapurkar, Specialist in Colposcopy & Gynaecology