Emergency gynaecology is rapidly developing in the UK but remains mostly fragmented into early pregnancy and acute gynaecology. There is a dearth of literature on patient and service surveys, treatment guidelines and protocols and standards for acute gynaecology. A nationwide audit was therefore commissioned for this work, to facilitate understanding of the state of acute gynaecology services in the UK. Units should be staffed by multidisciplinary teams that include specialist nurses, healthcare support workers and administrative staff, with local determination of numbers and ratios. Staff training should be a priority, irrespective of who provides care. Core staff should have knowledge of sexual health and should be duly certified where necessary. There should be a rolling programme of audit of clinical processes and outcomes determined by both local and national priorities. Research should be actively encouraged within individual units and as part of collaborative multicentre initiatives.