Obstetrics and Gynaecology

OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology provides a comprehensive service at both sites, the Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH) in Brighton and the Princess Royal Hospital (PRH).

At the RSCH, the department deals with approximately 3500 deliveries per annum. The labour ward consists of 10 delivery rooms, 2 high risk delivery rooms, a theatre and a pool birthing room. There are antenatal clinics and wards with ultrasound and Doppler facilities, a post natal ward, as well as a 10 bedded

gynaecology ward. The department comprises a fetal assessment unit (DAU), and an early pregnancy unit, equipped with ultrasound and hormonal assays. The Sussex Gynae Cancer Centre, the Day Case Unit and a dedicated Outpatients Department and Colposcopy Unit are located at the RSCH.

At the PRH the department deals with over 2,400 deliveries per year and the maternity ward for ante and post-natal patients has 34 beds. Facilities for intrapartum monitoring as well as an excellent ultrasound service are provided and a 24-hour epidural service is available.

The Gynaecology Unit (Horsted Keynes Ward) comprises 12 in-patient beds, an early pregnancy assessment service and an ambulatory diagnostic and therapeutic gynaecological endoscopy service. The unit provides in a purpose-built gynaecological endoscopy and colposcopy suite and trainees are able to obtain RCOG recognised special skills training in gynaecological ultrasound and gain valuable experience in outpatient office hysteroscopy.

Across both sites the team comprises 17 consultants, 16 specialist doctors at registrar level, four ST1/2 -, four Foundation - and nine GP trainees. Specialist areas including infertility, urogynaecology, fetal and maternal medicine, early pregnancy and gynaeoncology are covered by consultants within the department.

Teaching

The department provides weekly ST1/2 and ST3+ tutorials, regular simulation

OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY

WHAT OUR TRAINEES SAY Dr Katie Fraser

I have spent all of my training – medical school, foundation years and specialty training – in London and moving to Brighton was initially a life-style decision for me. In London I felt claustrophobic and detached from the patient group and I realised that I needed a change.

At BSUH my work is varied and interesting. We have a busy labour ward and several specialist antenatal clinics. With good neonatal facilities we are able to accept complex cases from other units and I

sessions in obstetrics as well as monthly journal clubs. Trainees are encouraged to participate in the monthly multidisciplinary perinatal meetings, the weekly CTG meetings and the monthly half-day Audit and Clinical Governance meetings.

There are weekly risk management and monthly maternity risk management meetings, regular consultant ward rounds and skills drills.

Trainees can choose to attend joint antenatal clinics with neonatologists and surgeons, which include high-risk medical/obstetrics clinics and birth option clinics, as well as a large GU/HIV clinic.

gained valuable experiences from dealing with interesting and unusual maternal and fetal cases.

I particularly appreciated the learning opportunities I had in gynaecology. The RSCH has the main oncology department in the region, with an excellent body of consultants and nurse specialists and I had access to major operating lists and colposcopy clinics.

I had the opportunity to train in minimal access surgery and at the PRH I was involved in a multitude of day-case procedures. Because RSCH and PRH are teaching hospitals, there is always the chance to engage in training of junior doctors and medical students – an activity which I found very rewarding.

My life’s ambition is to care for patients with whom I can build relationships and I want to be able to provide them with continuity in their care. Moving to Brighton has re-energised me and my drive to being a competent and effective doctor.

Colposcopy clinics, oncology and infertility clinics are provided on a regular basis. Uro-gynaecology & urodynamic clinics are held at Lewes Victoria Hospital.

BSUH provides supervision for the majority of ATSMs (Advanced Training Skills Modules) relevant for ST6/7 trainees. In addition to the skills training, the department facilitates training in advanced laparoscopic procedures and operative hysteroscopy.

Research

The department facilitates research opportunities for trainees and encourages students to participate in its Independent Research Program (IRP).