EVALUATING A SPECIALIST VULVAL SERVICE: REFERRAL PATTERNS AND OUTCOMES OVER A DECADE

 

Introduction: This review evaluates our Joint Vulval/Dermatology service over the past 10 years in comparison to the national standards set by the British Society for the Study of Vulval Diseases (BSSVD). According to their 2022 report, there are 95 vulvar services in the UK with varying levels of quality1. This review assesses our service’s performance in the context of these national benchmarks

Designs and Methods: This retrospective review analysed patient records and clinic letters from the joint gynaecology and dermatology service between 2014 and 2024, accounting for a service interruption from 2020 to 2021 due to COVID-19pandemic. We assessed demographic data, referral sources, presenting symptoms, diagnoses, management strategies, follow-up patterns, and outcomes. A total of 678 patients were seen, with anmean age of 51 years

Conclusion: 

This service adheres to national guidelines set by the BSSVD for the management of complex vulval conditions. The majority of patients were managed effectively within one or two visits, reflecting streamlined and efficient care pathways. Our service meets the national standards and exemplifies a multidisciplinary model of care. We advocate for broader adoption of this model to reduce variability in vulval care across the UK.