Early pregnancy referral pathway - 16 weeks or less (Guidelines)

Less than 6 weeks

Patients less than 6 weeks can phone Early Pregnancy Clinic for advice as this is likely the most efficient pathway. If they have severe pain or bleeding they can phone 111 or attend A+E in an emergency as above.

13-16 weeks

These women have likely had a dating scan already and can contact ward 4b on 01463 705376 for advice about pain and bleeding.

Early Pregnancy USS and review in Caithness

• Medical staff in Raigmore can request an out patient Early Pregnancy scan in CGH via Badgernet, selecting Caithness radiology generic inbox instead of Raigmore.
• Early pregnancy USS can be arranged in from ED in Caithness by contacting radiology CGH on 01955 880247 and completing a radiology form.
• The screening midwife will see the women after the scan if done outwith an emergency setting on Mondays and Thursdays.
• To lessen pressure on primary care, inform women that they can phone the Early pregnancy unit in Raigmore in office hours for advice. A local scan can be requested in Caithness from Raigmore EPC. The phone number for EPC is 01463 705275. They will respond to answer machine messages.
• Please refer to the local guidelines on Miscarriage.

Self referral

Patients can self-refer to the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit which provides a service 0830- 1530 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (closed on Wednesday).  The phone number is 01463 705275 and if there is no answer or out of hours a message can be left on the answer machine and will be responded to within working hours.

Patients can self refer with the following:

• Pain or bleeding 6 weeks onwards
• Previous ectopic
• Previous 2 or more miscarriages
• Previous molar pregnancy (a scan may be indicated)
• IVF pregnancy

This is detailed on the NHS Highland website for patients. They can find this information with contact details on the internet by entering “early pregnancy inverness”.

Early pregnancy assessment unit | NHS Highland (scot.nhs.uk)