HealthHarmonie is pleased to announce that our contract with Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (SSOT ICB) has been expanded to include a new Community Gynaecology Service for patients experiencing unscheduled or unexplained bleeding while using hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Launching in October 2025, this innovative pathway is designed to improve access to specialist care, reduce avoidable cancer referrals and give GPs clear support aligned with the British Menopause Society (BMS) guidelines.
This is believed to be the first pathway of its kind in the UK, offering patients a specialist assessment within 10 working days, equivalent to a hospital 2-week wait timeframe, but delivered in more convenient community settings across the region.
Why this new community gynaecology pathway is needed
This new SSOT community pathway aims to:
- Reduce unnecessary urgent cancer referrals where cancer risk is very low
- Free capacity in acute Trusts to support faster cancer diagnosis
- Improve patient experience with faster, local appointments
- Support GPs to manage HRT-related bleeding in line with BMS guidelines
What the HealthHarmonie community Gynaecology Service provides
Patients referred into the new pathway will receive:
- Clincial triage and spcialist assessment: Ensuring patients are directed to the most appropriate investigation pathway.
- HRT review and optimisation: Delivered according to BMS guidelines (Nov 2024) to resolve bleeding symptoms and reduce unecessary escalation.
- Transvaginal ultrasound when indicated: Providing rapid access to daignostics in a community setting.
- Onward referral to acute care when required: If any cancer risk factors or clinical concerns are identified, patients are referred quickly to acute gynaecology teams.
- Appointment within 10 working days: Matching hospital speed but delivered closer to home in local community clinics.
Helping SSOT improve Gynaecology capacity and patient outcomes
HealthHarmonie already delivers community gynaecology services across SSOT, and this new pathway strengthens our role in supporting the region by easing ressure and improving patient experience.
By combining rapid community assessment with guideline-based HRT optimisation SSOT ICB is pioneering a more effective, patient-centred model of care.
Get in touch!
We welcome conversations with ICBs, GPs, PCNs, and all community healthcare providers who share our commitment to collaborative, innovative care. To explore partnership opportunities or discuss how we can support your local health priorities, please contact us.
