Hysteroscopy
Updates from the Committee
BSGE statement on outpatient hysteroscopy JAN25
Diagnostic hysteroscopy is a commonly performed procedure for diagnosis and treatment that is safe and of short duration. It is important that women needing a hysteroscopy are made aware of all pain control options and settings.
Some women prefer to have a hysteroscopy undertaken as a day case procedure using intravenous sedation or general or regional anaesthesia. However, most women choose to have the procedure performed awake in an outpatient setting without the need for anaesthesia and find it convenient and acceptable. Some women having an outpatient procedure prefer to use pain control measures such as local anaesthesia injected or instilled into the uterus and / or breathe in analgesic gases (inhalational agents). Some centres are able to offer a conscious sedation service in a safe and monitored outpatient environment. Regardless of the pain control measures available and chosen in the outpatient setting, it is important that the procedure is stopped if a woman finds the experience too painful for it to be continued. This may be at the request of the patient or nursing staff in attendance, or at the discretion of the clinician performing the investigation.
The BSGE recommends that clinicians undertaking hysteroscopy have been adequately trained and have a sufficient workload to maintain competencies. The BSGE also expects that clinicians quality assure both their individual practice and the overall calibre of their hysteroscopic service.
You can download Outpatient Hysteroscopy – Patient Satisfaction Survey Questionnaire in pdf by clicking here.
EJOG paper- Benchmarking services in outpatient hysteroscopy (OPH):
A quality improvement project is available in pdf to download by clicking here.
Meet The Portfolio Members
Nadine Di Donato
Chair of Hysteroscopy Portfolio & Nurse Hysteroscopist Subcommittee member
As a Consultant Minimal access surgeon at the Southern Endometriosis center I have been tasked to develop a minimal access service and more recently expand this as a robotic service. This has been a challenge and one for which I am keen to offer my experience on the journey for anyone else who wishes to develop their services.
I have been a member of the BSGE since 2015 and I have had an active role in the society website and communications. I have enjoyed doing this and the service that has driven me to stand for the council to represent your views which I have been given during my time on the editorial board of the journal.
With support from the society, I have travelled abroad, visiting centres of excellence and gained experience from other colleagues. This is one of the most valuable opportunities offered by the society and I would aim to strengthen relationship with recognised training hospitals abroad. I am part of the faculty at the University in Bologna – Masters in minimally invasive surgery. This experience will enable me to help support others wanting to gain similar exposure. If elected I would endeavour to help strengthen the research profile and advanced training opportunities, especially for trainees, through collaboration and partnership with other centres abroad.
Ghadah Zafar Ahsan
Hysteroscopy Subcommittee member
Consultant Gynaecologist
Lister Hospital, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
Oudai Ali
Chair of Research & Innovations portfolio
I am an experienced minimal access gynaecologist specialist in Oncology and Colposcopy. I have been based in Cumbria, UK since 2014 and just recently moved to Surrey in London. I specialise in providing evidence based care in gynaecology, colposcopy and oncology adopting cutting edge innovations in minimal access surgery. I have completed certification in Obstetrics and gynaecology with training in colposcopy, oncology and advanced laparoscopy for endometriosis in 2012 in the Wessex deanery, UK.
I have an excellent record in developing services in ambulatory gynaecology, enhanced recovery and achieving exceedingly high standards in minimal access surgery. I am also a royal college tutor and I am passionate about teaching, training and simulation. I have been facilitating, participating in advanced courses nationally and internationally. I visited international centres of excellence to connect and share skills and I strongly believe in the value of surgical audit and standardisation of techniques and appraising innovations. In my role as a lead colposcopist I trained many of the staff who successfully completed their British certification and contributed greatly to service development and audits. I am leading the teaching and research on the Novel technique of Vnote. I aspire to contribute with the help of the BSGE and its members to produce the best evidence in current novel concepts and innovation in gynaecologic surgery and ambulatory gynaecology.
Caroline Bell
Chair of Nurse Hysteroscopists Portfolio
My name is Caroline Bell and I live in Cumbria. I am delighted to have the first Subcommittee dedicated to hysteroscopy.  I trained as an adult nurse qualifying in 2002. My job involves Hysteroscopy and I am nurse lead for our trust. The other part of my job is Cancer nurse specialist which also involves being  part of the Expert advisory group for the north of England. I love my job and find it a real honour to be able to be part of a patient’s journey.
Outside of work, I love spending time with my family and friends. I feel I am very fortunate to live in the Lake District and love outdoor activities.
I look forward to working as chair on the BSGE council, and supporting my hysteroscopy colleagues, with the subcommittee.
Amelia Davison
Hysteroscopy Subcommittee member
Consultant Gynaecologist
Homerton University Hospital
Shilpa Kolhe
Consultant Gynaecologist and Hysteroscopy Subcommittee member
Consultant Gynaecologist
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton, East Midlands
MAHSHID NICKKHO-AMIRY
Hysteroscopy Subcommittee member
Consultant Gynaecologist & Fertility Specialist
The Alexandra Hospital, Cheshire
Rowena Sharma
Hysteroscopy Subcommittee member
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board