Gynaecology |
D3
|
Early Pregnancy Assessment
Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic
About the clinic
The early pregnancy assessment clinic (EPAC) is a service for pregnant people between 5 and 16 weeks of pregnancy who have experienced pain, vaginal bleeding, or other early pregnancy complications.
Patients who are less than 5 weeks pregnant should contact their GP for advice in the first instance. Ultrasound scans at less than 5 weeks are often inconclusive and this can create additional distress to patients, as well as creating additional investigations and attendances which may not otherwise be required.
Patients who are more than 16 weeks pregnant should contact the maternity triage line on 01225 826454.
Criteria for referral
- Patients between 5 and 16 weeks of pregnancy, with a positive pregnancy test, who have experienced pain or bleeding
- A positive pregnancy test within the last 48 hours is required prior to completing an ultrasound scan. Patients who self-refer should complete a pregnancy test at home prior to attending the clinic. Healthcare professionals who refer to the early pregnancy clinic should ensure their patients have a pregnancy test completed at the time of clinical review.
- The early pregnancy assessment clinic also offers early ultrasound scans at 6-7 weeks of pregnancy for patients who have had a previous ectopic pregnancy, recurrent miscarriage, or a previous pregnancy loss. Patients can self-refer for this service.
- Patients diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum who have not had an ultrasound in their current pregnancy should also have an early pregnancy ultrasound scan. Patients can self-refer for this service. Please see the hyperemesis guideline for more information.
This clinic is not for routine pregnancy booking appointments or scans, or to enquire about standard pregnancy care.
How to refer to the clinic
Patients should be encouraged to self-refer to the clinic using the link on the RUH website:
All referrals will aim to be reviewed within 24 hours during the normal working week. It is important to note that an appointment may be offered on the same day as the referral is placed, and patients should therefore make themselves available to attend same day appointments if necessary. As this is a clinic for urgent referrals, it can be unpredictably busy, and patients may be in the clinic for a number of hours.
If a patient is unable to complete the self-referral form, a healthcare professional may complete a referral on their behalf using the same referral process. This form gathers less clinical information about patients' previous pregnancy history and current pregnancy risk factors and therefore should be used as second line, with recommendation for self-referral in the first instance.
The EPAC phone number is no longer being used for referrals. Any patients or clinicians who refer using this method will be contacted as asked to complete an online referral form.
Timeframe for contact
Once the referral has been reviewed, patients will either be telephoned or receive a text message to the mobile phone number listed on the referral form.
Patients may receive a telephone call from one of our early pregnancy team (which may be from a withheld number). This will be either to ask for more information, or to give advice. If patients receive a text message, this will be for them to attend for an ultrasound scan and a review with the early pregnancy team.
All referrals will aim to be reviewed within 24 hours during the normal working week. It is important to note that an appointment may be offered on the same day as the referral is placed, and patients should therefore make themselves available to attend same day appointments if necessary. As this is a clinic for urgent referrals, it can be unpredictably busy, and patients may be in the clinic for several hours.
If healthcare professionals have urgent concerns about a patient and require advice, or feel a clinical review is required prior to this timeframe, then the case should be discussed with the obstetrics and gynaecology consultant on call in normal working hours, or the obstetrics and gynaecology SHO or SpR outside of normal working hours, via RUH switchboard.
Location
The Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic is situated in Gynaecology Outpatients on ground floor of Zone D. The waiting area is at the end of the Gynaecology Outpatients corridor accessed by following the blue line from reception.
Address:
Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic (Department D3)
Gynaecology outpatients
Princess Ann Wing
Royal United hospital
Bath BA1 3NG
Useful Organisations
Association of Early Pregnancy Units
Miscarriage Association
Clayton HospitalNorthgate, Wakefield
West Yorkshire WF1 3JS Helpline: 01924 200799
www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk