Gynaecological ultrasound in the community.

J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care 2006: 32(2) Introduction The use of ultrasound technology has revolutionised the practice of medicine in general, and women’s health care in particular. It is now difficult to imagine that a woman with gynaecological symptoms will be managed without ultrasound examination.1 Clearly, clinicians confronted with a clinical problem can benefit greatly from the diagnostic power of ultrasound; this could be in the community, or in primary or secondary care. To date, in the UK, the use of ultrasound technology seems to be almost exclusive to secondary care (i.e. in hospital ultrasound departments). There are very good reasons why the use of ultrasound in a community set-up might be beneficial for both patients and health care professionals. The Department of Health White Paper2 published earlier this year highlighted patients’ preference to receive their health care, including diagnostic tests, within the community.