A new outpatient treatment for heavy periods was successfully carried out at University Hospital Ayr last month. Staff within the Gynaecology Department can now carry out Novasure endometrial ablation as an outpatient procedure.
Endometrial ablation has been offered as an effective treatment for heavy periods for many years in Ayrshire and Arran. However, the procedure was performed under local anaesthetic in an outpatient setting for the very first time on Monday 4 December.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Consultant Gynaecologists, Dr Iain Martin and Dr Inna Sokolova, were the driving force behind this novel approach, supported by Gillian Shearer from women’s health company Hologic, and Mr Nibs Biswas from Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust.
Dr Sokolova, who is also Clinical Director, explains: “Because patients undergoing Novasure endometrial ablation don’t need a general anaesthetic they are able to return home a short time after their procedure, much sooner than if they had a standard ablation procedure. It also means they won’t suffer with any of the common side effects associated with general anaesthetic.
“Feedback from patients has been exceptionally positive and the entire team are looking forward to continuing to offer this life changing treatment to the women of Ayrshire and Arran.”
Staff within the department received training from Hologic to successfully integrate the Novasure procedure into the range of gynaecological procedures already offered at University Hospital Ayr.