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NMH Annual Report 2020

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140 Gynaecology and Colposcopy 2020 | NMH Annual Rep t Dr David O'Driscoll (centre), recipient of the John F. Cunningham Medal for achieving First Class Honours as well as the highest results in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, with Prof Declan Keane, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist with a subspecialty in Urogynaecology and Bernadine O'Driscoll, Master's Secretary. D ue to the advent of COVID-19 in March 2020, there was an immediate pause on elective gynaecology in the hospital with both elective outpatients and benign gynaecological surgery compromised. The effect of this was felt most acutely in the urogynaecology department as most of the surgery is deemed elective by nature. Therefore, our figures for clinics and surgical procedures are reduced for the year. Despite this, the hospital continued to offer a tertiary led urogynaecology service which saw expansion in both clinical and administrative personnel. Some of this expansion was due to our designation as one of the two Irish centres dealing with mesh complications. It is hoped that in early 2021 we shall see the appointment of a urologist and pain specialist to the mesh multi-disciplinary team offering improved clinical care to these patients. The ongoing pause in mesh procedures now sees us offering women a choice of bulking agents, Urogynaecology colposuspensions or pubo-fascial slings and this is likely to continue into 2021. We have continued to offer partial mesh removals in the NMH, but we are indebted to Mr. James Forde in Beaumont who undertakes more radical removal of mesh when required. The Urodynamics team work alongside the Urogynaecology team to provide diagnostic tests (Uroflow, Urethral Pressure Profilometry and Cystometry) for women attending with urinary incontinence. The team also educate, support and follow-up women who present with urinary retention in the antenatal, postnatal and postoperative period. This includes teaching bladder management techniques such as clean intermittent catheterisation, double voiding and on occasion management of long-term indwelling catheters. Multidisciplinary team working is important for women with continence issues and we work closely with our colleagues in the physiotherapy department and the pelvic floor centre in St Michaels Hospital, Dun Laoghaire.

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