Gynaecology

Following a major review of cancer services, the Belfast City Hospital was designated the regional centre for gynaecological cancer in Northern Ireland. The Unit is now the hub of an integrated multidisiplinary group operating at the centre of a well-defined clinical network throughout the North of Ireland.

The clinical team is headed up by Consultant Gynaecologist, Dr Johnny Price who previously trained in Canada and in Gateshead, England under the tutelage of John Monaghan, one of Europe’s leading gynaecologists. Other team members include gynae-oncologists Dr Ray McClelland and Dr Stephen Dobbs, endometrosis specialist Dr Peter McFaul, Dr Maire Casement who has a special interest in gynae-urology and Dr Suresh Tharma who specialises in pelvic floor reconstruction.

Surgically the team is experienced in laparoscopic and minimal access surgery and continues to translate these important techniques into clinical practice. Ethics approval has been sought for a clinical trial of laparoscopic radical surgery for cancer of the cervix versus radical open surgery in collaboration with the Northern Gynaecological Oncology Group based in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead.

The Belfast City Hospital is collaborating in other research projects both at national and international level and is currently a major recruiter to the ASTEC Trial. The Unit is also a centre for the UKCTOCS trial of ovarian cancer screening and will shortly be taking part in the CHORUS trial, another MRC funded multicoated trial in the area of ovarian cancer surgery. We are also preparing to join an EORTC trial in the use of sentinel lymph node detection in vulval cancer.

Following recent discussions regarding reconfiguration of clinical services in Belfast, the Belfast City Hospital Trust has submitted a plan to develop gynaecological urology services within the Trust. We hope to recruit RCOG accredited sub-specialist in gynaeurology to join our existing team member, Dr Maire Casement. It is hoped to develop a clinical network with Lagan Valley Hospital to enhance this important women’s health issue. Dr Suresh Tharma’s expertise in pelvic floor reconstruction will form another important clinical linkage.

The Unit’s five-year development plan also focuses on the development of minimal access surgery for more severe benign conditions including for example stage 3-4 endometrosis. Dr Peter McFaul has developed considerable expertise in this area through his work at the Regional Infertility Unit based in the Royal Jubilee Maternity Service. The clinical team is very keen to develop this expertise, especially as this advanced surgical technique fits well with the developing future profile of the Trust.