Welcome
to
Blackpool
Pregnancy Advisory Service
We are situated near
the North Pier in Blackpool approximately 5 minutes walk from
both Blackpool North mainline railway station and Talbot road
bus station.
From M6 Motorway
Leave the M6 at Junction
32, follow M55 Blackpool until the end. Follow signs for Central
Car Park and then signs for The Promenade. Continue right along
the Promenade until you pass the North Pier on your left and
look out for the Metropole Hotel, also on your left. Turn next
right into Springfield Road and then first right into Abingdon
Street, we are the second building on your right (next door
to The Voluntary Services, which is on the corner). If you continue
and take the first left into Queen Street, there is a Pay and
Display car park.
93 Abingdon Road
Blackpool
FY1 1PP
Tel/Fax: 01253 293 096
e-mail: blackpool@pasgroup.co.uk
We
are open:
Monday - Friday
9 am - 5 pm - for consultation and assessment, help and advice
Clinic
sessions
You can see the doctor at any of our clinic sessions, as shown
below.
Same day appointments
are available:
Monday - 10 am -
1.30 pm
Tuesday - 12 noon - 4 pm
Wednesday - 10 am - 1.30 pm
Thursday - 12.30 - 4.30 pm
Out
of Hours - we
also offer a telephone service for advice and information.
Please Telephone: 01253 353 154.
We
offer:
At Blackpool Pregnancy
Advisory Service we are committed to providing you with the
highest standard of patient care. Our
clinics are staffed by a highly experienced team (including
a state certified midwife), who are available to talk to you
at any time by telephone, or if you prefer you can call in person.
If you require an appointment we aim to keep waiting time for
consultations to a minimum. On most occasions same day appointments
are available.
Consultation
The
consultation is completely confidential and you will be given
as much or as little time for discussion at your consultation
and assessment as you wish.
On
arrival you will be welcomed by one of our trained patient advisors,
we will do a pregnancy test in order to confirm that you are
pregnant. Once the test results are confirmed we will ask if
you wish to continue with the consultation. If so, a patient advisor will explain the day's procedure and we will take some of your
details for the necessary paperwork. The patient advisor will also
inform you about Chlamydia and discuss whether you want to be
screened when you have your medical assessment. If you do decide
to be screened we will ask you to sign a consent form at this
stage. All our patient advisors are there to provide you with as
much support as they possibly can and to ensure you have received
all relevant information concerning treatment options.
All
our patient advisors are highly experienced in dealing with unplanned
pregnancy; they are friendly, sympathetic and non-judgmental.
This information will help you to make an informed decision.
You are free to change your mind or rebook at any time
throughout. Due to patient confidentiality and guidelines from
the Department of Health, patients are seen on a one to one
basis at consultation. Partners and friends are welcome to attend
at any time outside clinic sessions.
You
are requested not to bring children with you to the clinic as
we are unable to accommodate them. This is also in consideration
of other patients, as it may be distressing for them.
We
will support you throughout your treatment and you may speak
with us, or your named patient advisor at any time during consultation.
Medical
Assessment - First Doctor
It
is essential for your own safety that a doctor takes a full
medical history : you will be asked about your general health
and previous obstetric history. It is important that you tell
the doctor if you are currently taking any kind of medication,
prescribed, or otherwise. We will also assess your suitability
for the anaesthetic and subsequent treatment.
The
doctor will discuss the decision you have reached and record
your reasons for wanting to end your pregnancy. If satisfied
that your reasons comply with the Abortion Act, the first part
of the legal document will be signed. The doctor will carry
out a pelvic examination, to determine the gestation (weeks)
of your pregnancy. If you prefer you may have a scan at this
stage, which is more accurate, however this is chargeable. If
you have decided to have a chlamydia test, a vaginal swab will
also be taken at this time. The risks and complications of any
treatment to be provided will be explained to you.
Discussion
and Referral
Following
consultation with our doctor, a patient advisor will establish whether
you wish to proceed with treatment. If appropriate, they will
discuss your choice of treatment and confirm your admission
date at one of our specialist clinics/treatment centres (this
is usually within a few days as there is no waiting list). You
will be given an information booklet and we will explain to
you what to take to the clinic. Future contraception will also
be discussed at this stage.
Second Doctor's Agreement
If
you are proceeding to treatment you will see a second doctor,
who will also establish your reasons for wanting to end your
pregnancy, and if satisfied that your reasons comply with the
1967 Abortion Act will provide the second signature on a legal
document which will then enable termination to take place. The
risks and complications of any treatment to be provided will
be explained and the doctor will take a blood sample for routine
screening of haemoglobin and blood group. The doctor will also
ask you to read and sign a consent form which outlines the procedure
and risks of the operation
Ultrasound
Scan
Scanning
facilities are available at our Pregnancy Advisory Service each
Monday afternoon and at both treatment centres at all times,
the procedure is simple and provides an accurate and reliable
measure of gestation (how many weeks pregnant you are).
Pelvic
Examination
In
some instances the doctors at our clinics perform a vaginal
(internal) examination at the time of consultation rather than
a scan. It is normal practice for the doctor to explain the
procedure and ask for your consent first. It is necessary for
this examination to be carried out as certain changes take place
in the pelvic organs during pregnancy. Before a pelvic examination
you will be asked to empty your bladder, a full bladder would
cause you to feel uncomfortable during the examination. By gently
pressing on the abdomen the pelvic organs, womb, ovaries and
fallopian tubes can be felt, and the doctor can then assess
whether everything is normal, confirm the pregnancy and assess
the gestational age (how many weeks you are pregnant). The examination
shouldn't hurt, but if you are tense the examination may feel
uncomfortable.
Chlamydia
Screening
Blackpool Pregnancy Advisory Service provides screening for
Chlamydia during your consultation with the first doctor, an
accurate result can be obtained within one hour, there is a
small charge for this service. If your test proves positive
both yourself and your partner will require treatment as soon
as possible in order to prevent any complications. Chlamydia
screening is also available to any clients who wish to access
this service privately, please ring us to discuss and arrange
an appointment : Tel 01253 293 096
Facilities
We have a suite
of offices, including consultation/assessment and examination
rooms, there is also a comfortable waiting room where you have
access to a television, refreshments and magazines.
