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 fundho lding, much attention has been focused on community care. A pilot seni or 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 Direc tor of the Margaret Pyke Centre to discuss the setting up of a fortnig htly, community gynaecology clinic run by the female senior registrar. This service has now been running successfully for one year and the f ollowing paper outlines the initial 'teething' problems, the clinical cases seen and the cost implications for the purchasers and providers.