Gynaecology in Guildford

Private gynaecologists at Mount Alvernia Hospital in Guildford 

Experiencing issues with your menstrual periods, pregnancy, or menopause? Suspect you may have signs of cervical cancer? 

There are various gynaecological symptoms that may cause you alarm, especially when the cause isn’t clear. To get the answers you’re looking for, access our expert health assessments as soon as possible. Our consultant gynaecologists at Mount Alvernia can see you without delay, so you won’t be uncertain about your health for long. 

At Mount Alvernia, our gynaecology department consists of a wide variety of highly experienced consultants who are skilled in ensuring your symptoms are managed with the most appropriate form of individualised treatment. 

If you’re based in Guildford, Surrey, or further afield, and you’ve been concerned about any of your symptoms, why not book a consultation with us today? 

What is gynaecology? 

Gynaecology is the medical specialty focused on diagnosing, treating, and managing any conditions related to the female reproductive system. 

Our gynaecological specialists help support you if you are or have faced any of the following: 

• Irregular bleeding 
• Painful/heavy periods 
• Bleeding after intercourse 
• Abnormal smear tests 
• Pelvic floor weakness/urinary incontinence 
• Problems with trying to conceive 
• A miscarriage 
• Fibroid or ovarian cysts 

Diagnosing gynaecological conditions 

At Mount Alvernia, we provide a wide range of diagnostic investigations and tests to help find the underlying cause of what is causing your concerns. 

Health checks are available if you need reassurance that your pelvic health is fine, or to help catch any issues at an early stage when they can be dealt with accordingly. 

If you are worried about your cervical health, smear tests can be organised at your convenience. No need to wait to be called for national screening, which typically offered to those aged between 25 and 64. 

Our gynaecology team also help provide various tests and scans during every stage of pregnancy, so you can have peace of mind regarding yours and your baby’s health. Our consultants can offer their expertise to help advise you on any issues that may affect your pregnancy, especially during the initial stages or if you are experiencing a high risk pregnancy. 

Pregnant women who visit Mount Alvernia Hospital can also request a Harmony blood test. This is a non-invasive prenatal test to analyse parts of your baby’s DNA in your blood. It can indicate the likelihood of chromosomal conditions, such as Down syndrome, and can also confirm your baby's gender. If you want to request this test, it can be carried out after 10 weeks of pregnancy. 

How much does a gynaecology appointment cost at The Mount Alvernia Hospital?

The cost of your treatment will depend on which type of treatment you are having. You can access private gynaecology treatment with us by using private medical insurance or paying for your own treatment. 

Gynaecology treatment can be covered by your private health insurance, but not always. Speak to your provider directly to see what's covered in your policy. 

If you want to pay for your own treatment, you can either pay in full or take advantage of our flexible payment options, which allow you to spread the cost over a period of up to five years.  

Our self-pay customers benefit from fixed-price packages, meaning you'll know exactly what you're going to pay before you book your treatment. Your initial consultation and early diagnostic tests aren’t included in this package, but the cost of your treatment or surgery, hospital fees, aftercare programme are. There are no hidden costs down the line. 

Will I need surgery?

Depending on the severity of your symptoms or type of health concern, your condition can be managed with non-invasive measures such as medication or physical therapy.  

If you have been experiencing urinary incontinence, our specialist colleagues in our physiotherapy department can offer pelvic floor exercises to help strengthen your bladder control, and this can be highly effective in managing your condition. 

In some cases, surgical intervention is recommended to help tackle and manage some gynaecological conditions.  

At Mount Alvernia, we cater extensively to the needs of patients requiring surgery for gynaecological conditions, with procedures available including:

• Endometrial ablation – removal of the lining of the uterus, often to treat heavy periods 
• Excision of polyps – available as a one-stop service 
• Large Loop Excision of Transformation Zone (LLETZ) – removal of abnormal cells found on the cervix 
• Endometrial sampling/biopsy – small tissue sample taken from the lining of the uterus 
• Pelvic floor repair – surgical repair if physiotherapy has been unsuccessful
• Ovarian cyst laparoscopy – keyhole surgery to remove cysts found on your ovaries 
• Oophorectomy – removal of the ovaries, often due to ovarian cancer or endometriosis 

Hysterectomy may be considered for those who have not had success with other treatments for painful and/or heavy periods, fibroids, endometriosis, and some forms of cancer.  

This major surgery can be performed in three variations, depending on your needs: 

• Total hysterectomy – where the cervix and uterus are removed 
• Subtotal hysterectomy – where the cervix is left intact and just the uterus is removed 
• Radical/extended hysterectomy – where the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and upper part of the vagina are removed 

Whatever procedure you may need, our dedicated nursing team will help guide you in preparation for surgery and during recovery, ensuring you are well supported during your time with us. 

What will happen at my initial gynaecology appointment? 

Your first visit to us at Mount Alvernia will begin with your consultant taking a detailed medical history, asking about your symptoms and the problems you’ve been experiencing. They will likely want to know: 

• What are your symptoms? 
• How long have you had these symptoms? 
• Have you had similar issues or other gynaecological problems in the past? 
• Have you ever been pregnant/given birth? 
• Are you currently taking any medication? 

You will then undergo a clinical assessment, which can include an internal pelvic examination. This will depend on your symptoms. 

Depending on what is found or suspected, further diagnostic scans may be required. The timeframe of the test(s) will depend on the availability of our radiologists. However, some scans can be done during the same visit. 

A biopsy (small tissue sample) may be arranged, especially for a colposcopy (to obtain a biopsy from the cervix) or a hysteroscopy (to look at the lining of the uterus). These procedures are more invasive, so will need to be arranged in advance by your consultant. 

If you have been experiencing issues with your pelvic floor and or incontinence, you may be referred to one of our urologists for a urodynamics test. This test looks at the function of the bladder, measuring urine flow and bladder pressure. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you will then either be referred to our dedicated physiotherapy team for further guidance about specific pelvic floor exercises or recommended for surgical intervention by your urologist. 

Once your results have been evaluated, your consultant will meet with you again to discuss your diagnosis and personalised treatment plan. 

Why should I choose The Mount Alvernia for my Gynaecology treatment? 

By choosing to have your treatment at Mount Alvernia, you’ll be able to take advantage of all these great benefits: 

• Assessments ASAP – If you’ve been experiencing symptoms of a pelvic disorder, such as abnormal bleeding or irregular periods, you’ll want to be seen by a consultant without any delay. With rapid appointments, our consultants can see you for an expert assessment, getting you an accurate diagnosis and the necessary treatment before your symptoms progress any further. 
• Patient satisfaction – 98% also said that the quality of care here at Mount Alvernia Hospital was either ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’. We aim to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible, and these results highlight our continued efforts to ensure this is achieved. 
• Minimal-access procedures – Certain surgeries can be performed on a day case basis thanks to keyhole techniques, which are minimally-invasive with quick recovery times. This means you can return home on the same day and get back to doing the things you love sooner, avoiding long rehabilitation periods. Our gynaecologists are experts in minimal-access surgery, with a range of keyhole procedures available, depending on your needs. 
• Personalised care – We believe in a bespoke approach to treatment, tailoring each experience to our patients’ needs and whatever may be best for you. With private rooms and your own personal clinical nurse specialist, individualised treatment services at Mount Alvernia are offered efficiently to support you through your journey with us. 
• A multidisciplinary approach – Our teams at Mount Alvernia work in tandem with each other to provide you with the best possible care from start to finish. Working closely with urologists and oncologists, as well as a dedicated team of radiographers, anaesthetists, physiotherapists, and nurses, you will be supported by medical professionals every step of the way during your treatment. 
• Convenient appointments – With appointments available at dedicated clinics five days a week, you are sure to find an appointment slot that suits your needs and availability. 

How to book a gynaecologist in Guildford  

To book your initial consultation with one of our gynaecologists near you, use our online booking system, or give us a call and one of our dedicated advisors will help you find an appointment time that suits you.