VGH WOMEN’S CLINIC
(providing specialized gynecologic care)
Gordon & Leslie Diamond Health Care Centre
2775 Laurel St., Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 1M9
April 29, 2014
Dear Colleague:
In an effort to streamline our patient intake process, and thereby provide our patients with more
timely access to care, we have revised our referral forms. All referral forms are triaged by a
Women’s Clinic Physician, and an appointment booked accordingly. We appreciate your
assistance in sharing this information with all physicians in your office.
The V.G.H. Women’s Clinic is an umbrella to several different clinics:
1. COLPOSCOPY CLINIC
2. GYNE. ONCOLOGY/COMPLEX GYNECOLOGY CLINIC
3. VULVAR DISEASE CLINIC
4. MULTIDISCIPLINARY VULVODYNIA PROGRAM
Below, please find a list of our clinics and the kinds of patients that are appropriate for each
clinic. When faxing in your referral, please ensure that all relevant history and diagnostic
(including imaging and bloodwork) results are included. Failure to do so may result in
appointment delay.
PLEASE NOTE: Women’s Clinic physicians do not see General Gynecology patients, so if your
patient requires the care of a general gynecologist, please refer them to someone in the
community.
1. COLPOSCOPY CLINIC
The Colposcopy clinic provides diagnostic testing and related treatments (LEEP, laser)
for patients with abnormal pap smears and cervical/vaginal clinical abnormalities.
The Colposcopy clinic functions as a diagnostic clinic: as such your patients are
instructed to contact their referring physician in three weeks to discuss results
and recommendations.
2. GYNE. ONCOLOGY/COMPLEX GYNECOLOGY CLINIC
This clinic provides assessment and treatment of patients with:
-ovarian/pelvic masses
-postmenopausal bleeding/endometrial hyperplasia
-complex surgical history (ie. complicated pelvic disease, severe endometriosis)
-low malignant potential/borderline ovarian tumors
-BRCA carriers/patients wishing risk-reducing surgery
3. VULVAR DISEASE CLINIC/VULVAR ONCOLOGY CLINIC
The Vulvar Disease Clinic provides care and treatment for women with:
-suspected or biopsy proven VIN (Vulvar Dysplasia 2-3)
-vulvar skin disorders (ie. lichen sclerosis, lichen planus, graft vs. host
disease)
4. MULTIDISCIPLINARY VULVODYNIA PROGRAM
The Multidisciplinary Vulvodynia Program (MVP) contributes to the health and wellbeing of women living with provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) and their partners through
consultation, assessment, and management of genital pain symptoms. The participation
in the MVProgram is only offered to women who are suffering from provoked
vestibulodynia – introital pain associated with touch only. Typically, these are women
who only have pain with sexual intercourse, they do not have daily vulvar and or vaginal
discomfort or any other significant pain condition, and the physical examination is
“normal” other than the ability to reproduce the pain when palpating the vestibule.
Women ages 19-60 with a diagnosis of PVD confirmed upon assessment by one of the
MVP gynaecologists may be offered enrolment in one of our structured multidisciplinary
treatment programs.
Referrals to the MVP are for an assessment only.
If you feel that your patient’s clinical condition warrants more urgent assessment prior to
their booked appointment, please contact the Gyne. Oncologist on call at BCCA at
604-877-6000 ext. 2367.
Thank you for your assistance, and we look forward to caring for your patients.
Sincerely,
DR. MARK HEYWOOD, MBChB. FRCSC
Site Head – Vancouver Acute
Department of Gynaecology