On this year’s Ectopic Pregnancy Awareness Day, we are privileged to announce our collaboration with the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) to build on our ongoing ‘Think Ectopic’ campaign.
Our Think Ectopic campaign provides vital resources for emergency and frontline healthcare professionals to remind them about the symptoms of ectopic pregnancy and the urgent actions for patient safety.
These tools also support clinical handovers and enhance patient safety.
Emergency Department professionals can be the first point of contact for individuals experiencing symptoms of ectopic pregnancy, particularly in emergency situations.
This makes awareness among Emergency Department clinicians, and their swift action, critical.
The EPT has worked with RCEM to produce an updated ‘Safety Flash’ about the condition, published today (1 August 2025).
The primary aim of RCEM’s safety flashes is to raise awareness of topical or emerging issues that Emergency Medicine clinicians may encounter while working.
Titled ‘Think Ectopic’, it features symptoms of ectopic pregnancy alongside clinical information.
RCEM and The EPT have also collaborated to design a computer screensaver for clinicians to use in their Emergency Department that features this key information to further highlight ectopic pregnancies.
In 2018, the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) carried out an investigation following a patient safety incident relating to ectopic pregnancy.
One of its safety recommendations specifically referred to Emergency Care and stated that: It is recommended that the Royal College of Emergency Medicine should provide standardised discharge information for clinicians to offer to women following discharge from the Emergency Department with a problem in early pregnancy and while awaiting further assessment by early pregnancy services.
Following this recommendation, RCEM developed an advice leaflet to be given to patients when they leave to ensure they have safety information in case they need to seek further medical attention. This has been updated and you can find it here.
Dr Sally-Anne Wilson, Chair of RCEM’s Safer Care Committee, who has been an A&E consultant for 18 years, said: “The College is happy to support the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust’s campaign to raise awareness of the common medical condition that, can be life-threatening and extremely traumatic.
“The symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy can vary from minor to severe and may result in people visiting an Emergency Department.
“But as some symptoms are common to other illnesses, we want to ensure all our members and their colleagues always consider this condition as a possible diagnosis.
“That’s why we have reissued our ‘Safety Flash’, to ensure our colleagues in EDs ‘Think Ectopic’ and are aware and informed about the condition when treating these high-risk patients.
“Alongside this we have also updated our discharge advice leaflet so patients are provided with additional information and details of support networks.
“It’s important we raise awareness of ectopic pregnancies, ensure patients are guided through every medical step with care and compassion, and receive the vital wrap around support they will need during a difficult time.”
Munira Oza, Chief Executive of The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust stated: “Women and people with symptoms sometimes attend emergency care with their concerns – in some cases, with extreme signs.
“ED clinicians having ectopic pregnancy in mind leads to rapid diagnosis and treatment which can reduce the risk of serious harm and even save lives.
“Working with RCEM means that, at those critical times, ectopic pregnancy is remembered and can be ruled out or confirmed – which can make all the difference to patient care and safety.”
We are delighted to collaborate with the RCEM which helps further our mission to raise awareness and improve the timely diagnosis and treatment of ectopic pregnancies.
Join the Think Ectopic Campaign
Receive FREE biocards for your ambulance station, practice, hospital, ward, or department and be a Think Ectopic champion.
The biocards are aimed at primary care, out-of-hours, and urgent care staff. Thank you for your help in distributing them among your colleagues. Request copies here.
Note: For UK-based healthcare professionals only.
