During the 1970s and 1980s, gynaecological surgeons with a special interest in oncology surgery established a number of services throughout Britain, mainly in university teaching hospitals. Most women diagnosed with cervical, uterine, ovarian, vulval or vaginal cancer continued to be managed within small district general hospitals or teaching hospitals by generalist obstetricians and gynaecologists. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) provides a complete set of standards for the provision of a streamlined service. The clinicians and commissioners should use these standards to develop national quality accounts. Research in the field of gynaecological oncology is performed as a separate entity, or the subspecialty training is extended to 3 years to include a significant component for research. Quality assurance minimum standards of care in gynaecological oncology relate to the timeliness of treatment, the functionality of multidisciplinary teams and audits of various outcomes.

Sexual health service users expect a choice of free, confidential, non-judgmental services provided by trained staff to nationally recognised standards. Appropriate standards and nationally accepted guidelines are fundamental to the provision of any specialist service. Sexual and reproductive health services have been influenced for many years by several bodies, including: the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). Provision of a competent and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health service requires an appropriate staffing capacity, equipped with the skills to deliver care of the highest standard. Nurses working in sexual and reproductive health services should have a recognised postgraduate qualification in sexual health and, again, require support to ensure continuing professional education and training. Incorporating audit and research into sexual and reproductive healthcare practice is essential to further improve sexual and reproductive health outcomes, at both individual and population levels.