Women's health unit opens at hospital

The unit will include the early pregnancy assessment unit, day case gynaecology surgery and facilities for a number of out-patient procedures.

The matron of the new unit, Claire Lambie-Fryer, said: "It's an exciting time and offers a much more efficient and streamlined way of managing and caring for our female patients who can be seen and treated without needing a hospital stay.

"Once referred by their GP or community midwife, we will be able to assess the ladies quickly to see if they can be treated on the unit or if they need to be referred for surgery.

"If that's the case then they will be treated on a surgical ward where the care will be more suited to their needs to allow the unit to concentrate exclusively on the day cases."

The women's health unit will be open between 8am and 8pm each day and procedures such as hysteroscopies and colposcopies will be carried out from 9am to 5pm.

Ms Lambie-Fryer added: "It's also about creating a female-friendly environment in which to provide more efficient care.

"Privacy and dignity is an important factor and we sometimes have to deliver bad news and deal with very sensitive issues under difficult circumstances.'

"We have a colposcopy unit that was recently referred to as the gold standard in the East Midlands and we are delighted to be able to continue to offer that high level of care and treatment across our gynaecology and early pregnancy services."

The opening of the new women's health unit comes just weeks after Chesterfield Royal Hospital unveiled three brand-new wards – its largest development since becoming a Foundation Trust.