Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology—The UK Experience

This review looks at the history of the establishment of pediatric and adolescent gynecology in the United Kingdom and, having addressed the chronology, sets the service in the context of the current health care system. The National Health Service does not provide an environment that encourages the delivery of this care in a structured way. There are some specialist services that are provided by central government, one of which addresses one part of pediatric and adolescent gynecology, but currently the services are relatively haphazard and delivered by individuals who have acquired knowledge and skills over time rather than in a structured training way. The need for improved services for adolescents and the training of doctors to provide this service is emphasized.