For Health Professionals
Service Overview
The Northern Health Gynaecology unit provides a targeted service to the needs of the Northern Health community for the investigation, diagnosis and management of adults with gynaecological conditions requiring specialist input. All patient referrals will be considered however priority of specialist clinic gynaecology service will be given to those who reside within Northern health catchment areas.
Gynaecology Clinics
- Dysplasia
- Early Pregnancy Assessment Service (EPAS)
- General gynaecology
- Infertility assessment clinic
- Perineal clinic
- Termination of pregnancy (TOP) – first-trimester, surgical only (up to 13 weeks, 6 days gestation)
- Urodynamic
- Urogynaecology
- Vulval clinic
Our Team
The Gynaecology service includes consultant Gynaecologists, Obstetricians, Registered Midwives, Nurses and Allied Health Professionals.
Consultant Gynaecologists/Obstetricians
- Dr. Paul Howat – Divisional Director
- Dr Arzoo Khalid – Head of Unit Obstetrics
- Dr Josephine Vivian-Taylor – Clinical Lead Dysplasia
- Dr Medhat Ilias
- Dr Allison Choong
- Dr Andrew Ngu
- Dr Tilak Weerasiri
- Dr Priya Rajagopal
- Dr Vinay Rane
- Dr Lin-Li Ow
- Dr Dominka Mohoric-Stare
- Dr Bharat (Sandeep) Gavankar
- Dr Gen-Lyn Ngian
- Dr Lauren Saunders
- Dr. Jeanette Henderson
Other Gynaecology Medical Staff:
Registrars
- Residents
- Interns
Gynaecology Clinic Lead
- Lisa Simitsis
- Jan Ryan
- Natalie Cassar
- Kate Chaouki (Family Planning Clinic Lead)
Gynaecology Referral Criteria
For detailed referral criteria and required supporting information of conditions in adults outlined below, please refer to the Victoria Statewide Referral Criteria for Specialist Clinics: https://src.health.vic.gov.au/specialities
- Contraception
- Dysplasia/abnormal cervical screening test
- Endometriosis
- Ovarian and other adnexal pathology
- Persistent or unexplained intermenstrual bleeding
- Persistent pelvic pain
- Persistent, heavy menstrual bleeding
- Post-coital bleeding
- Post-menopausal bleeding
- Pregnancy choices
Other conditions seen at Northern Health include (but not limited to):
- Amenorrhoea
- Dermoid cyst
- Dysmenorrhoea
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Fibroids/polyps (cervical or endometrial)
- Incontinence
- Menorrhagia – often secondary to ?IUD ?Fibroids
- Miscarriage – types include:
- Referral for recurrent miscarriages
- Imminent miscarriage
- Painful intercourse
- Pelvic inflammatory Disease (PID) – acute and chronic
- Post-menopausal management – induced (e.g. post treatment for cancer) and standard
- Post-partum bleeding
- Prolapse
- Vaginal discharge
- Vaginal tears 3rd or 4th grade
- Vulval disease
Conditions not seen by Northern Health Gynaecology Service include:
- Routine primary screening e.g. Cervical screening test (CST)
- Labiaplasty
- Mina and implanon for family planning
- Uncomplicated menopause and HRT
- Genital warts
- Sexual counselling
- Sexual health
- Tubal reversal
- IVF and other infertility treatment
- Termination of pregnancy (TOP) if:
Medical TOP requested
Surgical first trimester TOP for women with BMI >45
Second trimester TOP (i.e. >13 weeks and 6 days gestation)
For alternative abortion options please refer to Abortion in Victoria – Better Health Channel
Patients less than 16 years of age should be directed to Royal Children’s Hospital: Gynaecology
Patients simultaneously referred to another public Gynaecology service with the same problem
For further guidance on how to manage this condition in general practice, or what specific investigations and information are required for specialist referral, please visit your local HealthPathways website or equivalent online care pathways website. Please contact your local PHN if you require login access to HealthPathways. HealthPathways Melbourne – gynaecology
How to Refer:
- To ensure safe, timely access to Northern Health, all referrals must contain the minimum referral information as detailed below:
Minimum Referral Information
Urgent referrals can be made directly to the on-call Gynaecology Registrar via Northern Health switchboard:
Tel: 8405 8000
- All referrals to Northern Health should be sent via: E-referral or Fax: 8405 8616
| Patient Demographic Information: | Clinical Information |
| – Full Name (and alias) – Address – Mobile Number – Date of Birth – Medicare Number – Indigenous Status – Interpreter Requirements |
– Reason for Referral – Requested Specialty / Service – Working Diagnosis – Current Manage of the condition – Medical History (current and relevant past) – Current Medications – Relevant Investigations and pathology |
* Please note: that if a referral fails to meet the minimum referral information it will be declined with notification by letter to referring GP and patient
