The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) published its document Standards for Gynaecology in 2008 and is being used widely by commissioners, providers and policy makers. It sets out the principles of quality assured gynaecological services. The recommendations cover issues such as gynaecological services, early pregnancy loss, ectopic pregnancy, recurrent miscarriage, infertility, urogynaecology, colposcopy, termination of pregnancy and laparoscopic surgery. All emotional and psychological counselling requirements should be provided within the early pregnancy assessment unit. All units should audit patient choice and uptake rates for medical, surgical and conservative management of miscarriage, together with complications and failure rates. Clear information on choice of anonymised testing, treatment and contact tracing through genitourinary medicine should be available. Counselling and advice on sterilisation procedures (both vasectomy and tubal occlusion) should be provided in the context of services providing a full range of information about and access to long-term reversible methods of contraception.