Health unit for women opens

A NEW women’s health centre specialising in keyhole surgery for many gynaecological procedures opened in Dublin yesterday.

The centre, at the private Beacon Hospital in Sandyford, also provides early pregnancy screening, the new HPV vaccine against cervical cancer in younger women and the investigation of post-menopausal bleeding in older women.

Consultant gynaecologist Dr Sharon Moss said many women still shied away from dealing with gynaecological health due to common negative emotions associated with such examinations.

“Here at the Beacon Hospital Women’s Health Centre we focus on offering easy access and rapid diagnosis and treatment in an office environment whenever possible, making the experience as stress-free as possible for the patient,” she said.

Conditions that can be treated at the centre using minimally invasive techniques include ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancies and fibroids.

The centre will also offer contraceptive advice, solutions to painful periods, fertility assessment and smear testing. The hospital expects to have smear test results available in two to three weeks.

Consultant gynaecologist Dr Kent Ayers said many advances in gynaecology over recent years meant that treatment was easier and quicker than ever.

Mary O’Rourke TD, who opened the centre, said it was crucial women looked after themselves and were pro-active about their health.

“Thankfully, there is no need for women nowadays to suffer with women’s problems as our mothers and grandmothers did,” she said.

Doctors Moss and Ayers will be based full-time at the Beacon Hospital, ensuring prompt appointments once a GP referral is made.

The clinic will be open weekdays from 8am to 1pm with the time extended as demand for the service grows.

Because the clinic is based in the hospital, there is also rapid access to other department, if the need arises.

Services provided at the centre are through the out-patients’ department, so patients with private insurance with VHI and Vivas Health can claim some of the cost back.

The hospital is finalising an agreement with Quinn Direct.