One of the country's busiest maternity hospitals has opened a new outpatient gynaecology service, which will help to tackle waiting lists.

The Rotunda Hospital in Dublin city centre delivers around 8,500 babies every year, however it also diagnoses and treats common gynaecological problems in women, such as fibroids, polyps and abnormal bleeding.

These problems were often dealt with in the hospital's day procedure ward. However, they will now be dealt with by a new one stop outpatient gynaecology service - the Outpatient Hysteroscopy Clinic - in Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown.

Last year, the Government announced that the Rotunda is to be moved in the future to Connolly Hospital as part of a reorganisation of maternity services.

"This new service is essentially a ‘one-stop shop' for patients with common gynaecological problems. We can provide examination, assessment and treatment all at the one facility in one visit, without the need for the patient to have multiple visits to the hospital.

"These day procedures are minimally invasive and offer our patients rapid access to investigation, diagnosis and treatment, while relieving the pressure on hospital waiting lists," explained the Master of the Rotunda, Prof Fergal Malone.

He said that it is estimated that this new service will cater for around 25% of all gynaecological referrals to the Rotunda, relieving the hospital of around 500 appointments from its waiting list this year.

The service will be run by Rotunda consultants and staff, who will operate four clinics per week. Appointments will be made on a referral basis through the Rotunda.

It is also planned to expand this service in the future to accept selected patients from other hospitals, including Beaumont, Cavan General and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.