Key staff appointment in ambulatory gynaecology at Portiuncula

In an effort to strengthen women’s health services, Portiuncula University Hospital in Ballinasloe has appointed Yvonne Claffey as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) in Women’s Health, Ambulatory Gynaecology.

Her appointment supports the continued expansion of ambulatory gynaecology services at the hospital following the opening of the new Ambulatory Gynaecology Unit (AGU) in April 2025.

With more than three decades of experience to her credit, Yvonne in her new role is providing expert, patient-centred care for women with benign gynaecological conditions, managing the full clinical pathway from assessment and diagnosis to treatment and discharge.

Her specialist practice includes the management of abnormal uterine bleeding, including post-menopausal bleeding, heavy menstrual bleeding, intermenstrual bleeding and post-coital bleeding.

An Ambulatory Gynaecology Unit (AGU) is a dedicated one-stop, see-and-treat service clinic. Here women can benefit from timely access to consultation, investigation and treatment within a single visit where appropriate for a wide range of common gynaecological conditions, avoiding the need for hospital stay.

Such a set-up significantly reduces delays, and multiple hospital appointments.

At the AGU, Yvonne performs a range of advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including transvaginal ultrasound, outpatient hysteroscopy and endometrial biopsy. She also provides specialist treatments such as the insertion of intrauterine devices (IUDs) for contraception, the management of heavy menstrual bleeding and endometrial protection as part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Yvonne, a native of Lorrha in Tipperary, began her career as a nurse in 1995 at Portiuncula University Hospital before travelling to Australia to broaden her clinical experience. She has come a full circle working across Ireland, including, Dublin, and Limerick, and coming back to working at the hospital in Ballinasloe.

Speaking about her appointment, Yvonne said: “Having spent much of my nursing career at Portiuncula University Hospital, I am delighted to take up the role of Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Women's Health, Ambulatory Gynaecology. Supporting women through every stage of their care journey and ensuring timely access to specialist services is both a privilege and incredibly rewarding.

"The ambulatory gynaecology model allows us to provide care in a more streamlined and accessible way, with many women able to receive consultation, investigations and treatment within a single visit.

"This not only improves the patient experience but also reduces waiting times and the need for multiple hospital appointments," she said.