SETTING UP A COMMUNITY GYNECOLOGY CLINIC IN GENERAL-PRACTICE

With the implementation of NHS reforms, ie The Patient's Charter, Care in the Community, Health of the Nation1-3 and general practice fundholding, much attention has been focused on community care. A pilot senior registrar post in family planning and reproductive health, based at the Margaret Pyke Centre, London, was established in 1992. Staff at a large primary care health centre were approached by the Medical Director of the Margaret Pyke Centre to discuss the setting up of a fortnightly, community gynaecology clinic run by the female senior registrar. This service has now been running successfully for one year and the following paper outlines the initial 'teething' problems, the clinical cases seen and the cost implications for the purchasers and providers.