Services A to Z

Gynaecology – Pre-Operative Assessment

If your surgeon has recommended that you need an operation, you will be asked to attend a dedicated gynaecology pre-operative assessment clinic before your date of surgery. This is usually 1 to 2 weeks beforehand.

This appointment can take up to 3 hours. This is to make sure you are well enough and fully prepared for your surgery and that you are prepared for going home from the hospital (discharge) and ongoing recovery.

Please bring any medication that you are taking (or a copy of a recent prescription.)

At this clinic, you may meet members of the team looking after you including the surgeon, the pre-operative assessment nurse, anaesthetist and junior doctor.

The pre-operative assessment nurse will arrange all relevant tests and coordinate your appointments. You may have several tests and investigations at the clinic or scheduled for another date.

Tests may include:

• Medical history
• Blood pressure, Pulse & Oxygen levels
• Blood tests
• Height & weight
• Urine test
• Consent for your operation
• ECG (tracing of your heart) if necessary
• Chest X-ray if necessary
• You will also be measured for stockings to reduce your risk of developing a blood clot 
• Further tests may include a heart scan or lung function test. 

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)

Depending on the operation you are having you may be involved in an ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) programme. Research has found that the sooner we get patients up and about and moving as soon as possible after surgery then the quicker their recovery will be.

Part of this programme involves drinking carbohydrate drinks before your operation to help with your recovery. The pre-operative assessment nurse will explain this in more detail and give you the drinks at the clinic.

The team

Senior Charge Nurses: Sally O’Rourke and Carol Archibald

Contact us

The Pre-Operative Assessment Clinic is located within the Maternity Building of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. We are on the ground floor.

Call: 0141 201 2286.

Another useful telephone number to have is Ward 49: 0141 201 2282

More information coming soon.

Information about your Enhanced Recovery Plan after your Surgery

What is the Enhanced Recovery Plan?

Enhanced recovery plan helps you to recover more quickly and return home faster. This leaflet gives you advice on:

• What to expect after your surgery
• What to expect when you go home and
• What to do if you have any concerns.

After The Surgery

• On return from theatre you may have a tube into a vein, ‘called an intravenous drip’, to replace lost fluids but we will remove this as soon as you are drinking and eating. You may have a urinary catheter ‘a tube into your bladder’. You may also have a pack to prevent bleeding in your vagina, which will be removed 24-48 hours after your surgery.

• We will take you back to the ward, where the nurses will look after you. We will give you medications to manage any pain you have and you may eat and drink shortly after your return from theatre.

• We will give elastic stockings and injections to keep your blood thin and reduce the risk of blood clots. You will normally get this once a day until you go home or longer in some cases.

• We will remove your catheter as specified by your surgeon and we will check if your bladder is emptying. We do this by using a bladder ultrasound scan and once staff are happy that your bladder empties well, most women can go home two or three days following the surgery.

• If you have any abdominal or groin drains the surgical team will review these the next day and discuss with you when they will be removed.  

Temporarily unable to empty your bladder

If there are any concerns with your bladder emptying, we may offer you a clean intermittent self-catheterisation (CISC).  These catheters are inserted several times a day, for just long enough to drain your bladder, and then removed. We will show you how to insert the catheter yourself. Or we will leave a catheter inside your bladder for three to seven days. We will then ask you to come back to the hospital to make sure your bladder is emptying well and to remove the catheter.

• You will see the surgical team, specialist pelvic floor physiotherapist and Mesh Clinical Nurse Specialist after your surgery. You can discuss any concerns you have regarding your recovery and your after surgery care.

Physiotherapy

You will have met the specialist physiotherapist before your surgery and they will review you during your hospital stay, to help you recover from your surgery as quickly and fully as possible. They will give you an information leaflet to remind you of their advice. This information will include:

• Breathing and circulatory exercises to help reduce your risk of breathing and circulatory complications.
• Teaching you pelvic floor and abdominal muscle exercises to assist your recovery.
• Advice to help you return to everyday activities, exercise and work as appropriate

It is important for you to continue with the exercises and advice on a long term basis, to ensure the best outcome from your surgery.

Going Home

You will be able to go home when your pain is reasonably controlled, you are eating and drinking and you can be up and moving around the ward comfortably.

What to Expect When You Go Home: First Few Days and Week

• Recovery time is around six weeks; some women may take longer. However, you may go back to your everyday activities after four weeks.

• Walk about as soon as possible after surgery to aid recovery. There is no restriction, on doing light activities in a few days if you feel able to do so, and normal activities after a few weeks.

• You can eat your regular diet after you go home. However, frequent small meals are easier to digest than a few big meals.

• Use a stool softener to keep your stools soft to avoid straining. You will give you some during your stay in hospital and also when you go home.

• Wear the elastic stockings for 6 weeks after your surgery

Pain and Discomfort

We makeevery effort to manage your pain after the surgery. It is important to know that there is a risk of your pre-existing pain not improving, or even getting worse after this kind of surgery. The surgical Team will discuss pain relief with you before your surgery and will put a plan in place for your pain relief. When you go home make sure you take prescribed pain medications. Heat or ice packs can also be very helpful in managing your pain.

• You can drive as soon as you can make an emergency stop without discomfort. This is about 2 -3 weeks after your surgery but you must check this with your insurance company.

• You may shower when you return home after your surgery. If there is a dressing over the incision (cut), remove it before your first shower or bath. Leave the slim adhesive strips that are under the dressing in place. During the week after surgery, they will usually curl up at the edges and then come off on their own. If they are still there a two weeks after surgery, gently remove them.
• Do not push or press on your incision. It is normal for your incision to be sore for up to 6 weeks. Your incisions will heal better if you keep them clean and dry.

• To let your wound heal comfortably, you should avoid sexual intercourse and inserting any creams or devices for six weeks after your surgery, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. You can resume intercourse when your doctor says it is safe to do so. When you resume intercourse things may feel different than before the surgery. The first few times may be uncomfortable. Go slowly and use lots of lubricant. You will get back to normal with time.

• Spotting of pink or red blood from the vagina is normal. Brown-coloured discharge that gradually changes to a light yellow or cream colour is also normal and can last for up to eight weeks. The brownish discharge is old blood and often has a strong odour, this is okay. Call us if it becomes heavier or foul-smelling.

• Expect new or worsening of urinary urgency (having to go to the toilet quickly) or leaking of urine. This would have been discussed with you by the surgical team. The surgical team will assess this at your follow up appointment.

At discharge our Mesh Clinical Nurse Specialist will give you a follow up appointment within a week of your discharge to see how you are doing as well as emergency contact numbers.

What to do if you have any concerns

If you have concerns when you go home you can get advice Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 12:00pm by calling 0141 347 8604.

If you are concerned something is seriously wrong out with these hours or cannot get through, you should contact NHS 24 on 111.

Review Date: June 2024

Referrals to the national complex mesh surgical service will be accepted from any Urogynaecology service in Scotland.

• The local urogynaecology consultant will have reviewed the patient clinically and agreed with the patient to refer to the service in Glasgow for consideration of partial or total mesh removal.
• The consultant will refer the patient using the agreed Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) referral form.
• The GGC MDT will discuss the patient, review all the information provided by the local urogynecologist and recommend a treatment plan.
• The patient will then be contacted by both the psychology service and the clinical nurse specialist for support and information regarding what to expect at their forth coming clinic appointment.
• The patient will attend the clinic and meet the team.
• They will discuss the proposed treatment plan and any surgical options available to them.

We recognise that Every Woman is Different and will have different needs and thus every stage of patient treatment is determined by a team of experts working closely together to provide individualised care.

Patients referred to the service will be seen through the specialised mesh clinic by a team of clinicians along with other members of the MDT. We will obtain as much information about your mesh implant and any treatment carried out to date from your local unit. Patients will have full assessment (history and examination) and will be offered investigations as appropriate.

Investigations can include:

• Cystourethroscopy (telescopic assessment for bladder and urethra)
• Ultrasound scan – Translabial /transperineal and endovaginal
• MRI scan
• Other investigations like sigmoidoscopy (telescopic exam of lower bowel), Examination under anaesthesia , diagnostic laparoscopy and CT scan can be requested if deemed necessary.

We may ask some of the above tests to be done at your local hospital for your comfort and convenience.

Your case will be discussed at our complex mesh MDT and the outcome will be relayed to you by one of the surgical team members and further appointment/s will be arranged.

Surgical Treatment options offered :

• Injection of local anaesthetic and steroids
• Conservative surgical/minimum access procedures using Laser
• Partial mesh removal (removal of exposed vaginal mesh) and (part or whole of vaginal portion of the mesh)
• Complete mesh removal
• Removal of vaginal and extra vaginal portion/s of mesh
• Groin dissection
• Partial and complete removal of abdominal inserted mesh for prolapse.

Team offers both open and laparoscopic (key hole) approach.

Information about above surgical procedure can be accessed by clicking here and about the perioperative process here.

Complex Mesh Specialist Nursing

Nurses within the Complex Mesh Surgical Service are Specialist Urogyneacolgy trained who have an expert knowledge and understanding of the use of mesh for the treatment of Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Stress Urinary Incontinence.  We understand the potential physical and emotional impact of the complications experienced from the use of mesh.  We aim to offer person-centred care throughout your journey through the Service.

Our role within the Complex Mesh Surgical Service is to provide care and support to all individuals within the clinic setting. 

We recognise that it can sometimes feel overwhelming to attend hospital appointments.  We are there to offer support throughout, to ensure you feel able to voice any concerns you may have, to discuss any difficulties you may experience and to help you to identify your goals for treatment.

We will contact you prior to your first multidisciplinary clinic appointment to introduce ourselves and answer any questions about the clinic that you may have.  We will then be there to support you during your multidisciplinary clinic appointment, and throughout your journey with the service.

If you undergo mesh removal surgery, we will meet with you with in the ward before you are discharged home from the Hospital. We will arrange a dedicated time for post-operative telephone follow-ups.

In addition, it is important to us that people using the service are aware that we can be contacted at any other time by telephone, should there be any queries or concerns (see ‘Contact Us’).  We aim to support you to achieve the best possible outcomes for you as an individual.

The Complex Mesh Surgical Service

Lifestyle Information

This information is to help you know what you might be able to do in the days or weeks before any mesh related surgery. This will speed up your recovery and help you get the best outcome possible.

Even small positive changes in lifestyle make a difference and encourage you to be as healthy and strong as you can be.

Lifestyle changes that target your activity, weight and diet may help your bladder and bowel symptoms. 

Being Active

Being active is one of the best things we can do for our physical and mental health.

Sometimes it can be hard to stay active when we have pain, leakage from the bladder or bowel, or struggle to find the motivation. Even small amounts of regular activity can make a difference.

 The following tips might help:

• Start with small and regular activity that you enjoy and that is easy to do such as walking, or suitable exercise classes
• Try and find an exercise partner to help you stay motivated
• Plan to be active every day
• If you already go to classes, ask the instructor to help you with easier options for when you feel less strong or more uncomfortable
• Work towards increasing your daily activity over time

We know that physical activity can boost self-esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy.

The Government guidelines are shown below BUT not everything will suit everyone – get advice on the right strength training for you.

Managing your weight

 A healthy weight is important for overall wellbeing and can help you prevent and control many diseases and conditions. National guidelines recommend that a body mass index (BMI) of less than 30 can help reduce symptoms of mixed urinary incontinence and prolapse. The link below will give you general information about the effects of a high BMI on your pelvic floor and the risk of complications during and after surgery.

Losing weight can be hard and you may need lots of help and support:

• Ask your friends to help you
• Speak to your GP
• Find out what is available locally

The links below may be useful:

• 12 Week Weight Management Programme
• How to lose weight safely – Food and nutrition
• Lose weight – Better Health – NHS
• Managing your weight – NHS

Have a healthy balanced diet

What you eat and drink is very important for bladder and bowel health. Staying active also helps.

Fluids

It is important to drink enough each day even if you have bothersome bladder symptoms. Try to drink at least 1.5litres to 2litres of fluid per day. You may need to increase your fluids gradually to help retrain your bladder. It is recommended that you limit the amount of caffeine and fizzy drinks such as coke, coffee, energy drinks and alcohol because they are known to irritate the bladder.

Drinking enough may also help with constipation and encourage a regular bowel habit.

Food

A balanced diet with enough fibre and physical activity can help to regulate your bowel movements, prevent constipation and improve rectal emptying. The right stool consistency may help manage symptoms of bowel urgency and leakage of poo.

Understanding how to have the right stool consistency is particularly important at the time of surgery to help prevent straining and constipation post operatively.

The Eatwell guide from the NHS gives an idea of what the balance of foods should be.

Further information and help is also available from the following links:

• Food and nutrition – Healthy living
• Eat well – NHS

Other lifestyle modifications which may help manage pelvic floor symptoms

• Stopping smoking and managing any respiratory conditions such as asthma may reduce your cough. You may also feel fitter and more able to take part in physical activity. This in turn can benefit your mental health and wellbeing.
• Reducing alcohol intake. Alcohol is known to irritate the bladder. Other benefits of cutting down may be improved mood, sleep quality and feeling more energetic

For further help with this, see you GP for local services and have a look at the following website pages:

• Stop Smoking – NHS Inform
• Quit Smoking – NHS
• Healthy Living – Alcohol Information

If your ability to make helpful lifestyle changes are not possible due to low mood, please seek help to find the right support for you.

Got a date for surgery?

Knowing what to expect from surgery can help reduce preoperative anxiety. The following link and short video will help to support and guide you:

You will also be seen ahead of your operation to get information on pre and post operative care.

Complex Mesh Clinical Psychology Service

Clinical Psychologists are trained to have an expert understanding of how people think, feel and behave.  These skills are used to help people cope with difficult situations, feelings, and experiences.

We recognise that complications from mesh for pelvic organ prolapse or incontinence have the potential to result in exceptional challenges that people may not ordinarily face.  We also understand that it can be difficult to cope with these difficulties alone.

Our role within the Complex Mesh Surgical Service is to provide support to individuals for any mesh-related difficulties they may encounter.  We recognise that in addition to the expert care of your physical needs, having good social and psychological support is an important part of your overall wellbeing.

Our aim is to meet with as many people in the Complex Mesh Surgical Service as we can.  This allows us to introduce ourselves, as well as assessing whether you have any concerns relating to mesh that we could address together.

We do this by:

• Offering an initial appointment with a Clinical Psychologist prior to assessment by the multidisciplinary team (MDT)
• Attending MDT clinic appointments

We also offer appointments to anyone who requests support at any stage in their assessment or treatment within the Complex Mesh Surgical Service.  If there are mesh-related difficulties that you would like help with, we offer individualised support. 

This may include:

• One-off discussions or suggestions
• Individual appointments (by telephone, video call or face to face)
• Joint working with other professionals (e.g surgeons, physiotherapists, GPs)
• Signposting to other services

If you would like our support, you can let us know by speaking to us (in our appointment prior to the MDT clinic appointment, or in the MDT clinic appointment) or by telling another member of the Complex Mesh Surgical Service. Please note that we are only able to accept referrals for people who are being seen within the Complex Mesh Surgical Service.

Information on what to expect from sessions with a Clinical Psychologist within the Complex Mesh Clinical Psychology Service, can be found in our patient leaflet.

Contact us

To request or ask about support from the Complex Mesh Clinical Psychology Service, please speak with any member of the Complex Mesh Surgical Service MDT.

If you are struggling with low mood and cannot wait to speak to someone, please contact your GP for advice, or call NHS 24 on 111.

The following organisations can also offer an immediate ‘listening ear’:

Samaritans 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)

Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87 (free helpline, 6.00pm to 2.00am weekdays, 24 hours at weekends)

The Complex Mesh Surgical Service

Physiotherapy is now considered as one of the first non-surgical options that should be offered for the management of stress urinary incontinence and for prolapse.

Pelvic Health physiotherapists have undergone additional training and have specialist expertise in bladder, bowel and vaginal health. Our goal is to support and work with people to lessen the impact of pelvic floor problems and help restore their quality of life. Common pelvic health problems may be bladder and bowel incontinence or emptying difficulties, prolapse and painful sexual intercourse. Physiotherapy aims to improve function and minimise the symptoms that can impact on the physical and psychological aspects of life. Education and understanding of the anatomy and function of the bladder, bowel and pelvic floor muscles is a key part of this.

Why is there a specialist physiotherapist in the Complex Mesh Surgical Service?

1. Many of the women seen in the Complex Mesh Surgical Service (CMSS) may have seen a physiotherapist already and the specialist physiotherapist can help to decide whether further physiotherapy input will be of benefit.
2. People attending the CMSS may come from all over Scotland. The specialist physiotherapist will share information, advice and expertise with the physiotherapists who may be involved in the agreed management plan. We aim to ensure continuity of care within the local setting.

Who can be seen in the Complex Mesh Physiotherapy Service?

Physiotherapy is a key component in managing mesh related pelvic floor problems and if indicated the specialist physiotherapist will aim to see all the people attending the CMSS. If the physiotherapist is not available on the day, and further physiotherapy is needed, a referral will be made. 

How can a specialist physiotherapist help?

The physiotherapist in the CMSS will give you an opportunity to talk about your current symptoms and help you to understand what might make a difference and improve your quality of life.  This may include:

• Discussing bladder, bowel, vaginal or rectal symptoms such as incontinence, urgency, frequency, sexual discomfort and pain
• Reviewing lifestyle habits that may be contributing to current symptoms
• Signposting to other sources of information that may help with encouraging good bladder and bowel habits
• With consent, the specialist physiotherapist may do a vaginal or rectal examination to assess the pelvic floor muscle strength, tone, relaxation and pain.
• Feedback will be given on examination findings and a treatment plan will be discussed and agreed.
• Providing sources of further information including links to reliable patient information sites

Where surgery is the agreed plan, physiotherapy support will be provided before and after your surgery (link to the pre op and post op info tbc)

Useful Links and Resources

• Pelvic Floor Muscles | POGP
• Bladder & Bowel Incontinence | POGP
• Healthy Bladder | POGP
• Vaginal Prolapse | POGP
• Menopause | POGP
• Persistent Pelvic Pain | POGP
• Later Years | POGP
• ERAS Document

• Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in women: management
• Information for the public | Pelvic floor dysfunction: prevention and non-surgical management | Guidance | NICE

Consultant Anaesthetists at complex mesh surgical service have experience in looking after patients referred to the Centre/Service with complications related to mesh used for stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. They work as part of multidisciplinary team and will be present at the complex mesh clinic. 

The role of the Consultant Anaesthetist is to carry out risk assessment, pain assessment and assess suitability for surgery. Some conditions will require further investigations and/or optimisation prior to surgery to minimise those risks, which is usually done via referrals to the patient’s GP or other health practitioners. 

If opting for surgery Consultant Anaesthetist will discuss what post-operative pain management techniques are available and risks associated with each. 

The Multidisciplinary Team

There is a large team of clinicians from different specialties working as part of the Scottish National Complex Surgical service. The team is thus multi-disciplinary and patients will see many team members during their journey through the service.

The Multidisciplinary Complex mesh team include:

• Surgical team (3 Sub-specialty Accredited Urogynaecologists) and (2 Functional Specialist Colorectal Surgeons)
• Anaesthetic /Pain Specialist Consultants
• Radiologists
• Clinical Nurse Specialists
• Specialist Mesh Physiotherapists
• Sub-specialty Fellows
• Psychologist
• Pharmacist

Our clinics are all multidisciplinary meaning patients can be seen by several team members, thus avoiding where possible multiple appointments. The team also hold joint weekly meetings to discuss referrals and patient care.

We are also supported by numerous administrative and support staff for in patient and out patient care.

Patient Information Leaflets

The following links provide useful information for patients coming through our service.

National Institute Clinical Excellence (NICE)

• Treating complications from mesh used for pelvic organ prolapse: patient decision aid (nice.org.uk)
• Treating complications from mesh used for stress urinary incontinence: patient decision aid (nice.org.uk)

British Society Urogynaecology

• The British Society of Urogynaecology (BSUG)
  • BSUG Obturator
  • BSUG Retropubic
  • BSUG Removal of Vaginal Mesh for Prolapse
  • BSUG Removal of Abdominal Mesh for Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Rectal Proplapse

Published Papers and Presentations

1. Total Trans-obturator Tape (TOT) Removal; a  case series including pain and urinary continence outcomes. Sami Shawer, Vijna Boodhoo, Oliver Licari, Stewart Pringle, Veenu Tyagi, Vladimir Revicky, Karen Guerrero. International Urogynecology Journal (2022)

• Total trans-obturator tape (TOT) removal; a case series including pain and urinary continence outcomes – PubMed

2. Use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Women with Suspected Complications Following Insertion of Implants for Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Stress Urinary Incontinence Surgery. P.H. Krishnaswamy, V. Hiteshna Boodhoo, J. McNeil, V. Tyagi, K. Lesley Guerrero. European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology (2022),
   
   – Use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in women with suspected complications following insertion of implants for pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence surgery – PubMed

3. ICStelevision:
   • (192) #23186 Trans-Obturator Tape Removal; vaginal and groin dissection – YouTube
   • (192) #23190 Excision of urethral diverticulum with partial excision of trans-obturator tape – YouTube
   • (192) #23182 Total Trans-obturator Tape (TOT) Removal; a case series demonstrating post-operative pain… – YouTube
   • (192) #23191 Laparoscopic Retropubic Tape Removal (bladder mesh perforation) – YouTube

The Complex Mesh Surgical service is located in Clinic K, First Floor, New Victoria Hospital, 52 Grange Road, Langside, Glasgow, G42 9LF.

The hospital switchboard can be reached by calling 0141 2016 000.

We are a specialist multi-disciplinary team providing care and treatment to women who are pregnant or postnatal and are at risk of, or are affected by, mental illness. We also offer expert advice to women considering pregnancy if they are at risk of a serious mental illness.

We offer evidence-based treatments in a way that is best suited to you, your baby and family. Mental health problems are not uncommon during this time but they are known to respond well to care and treatment. We are able to see women at:

• maternity hospitals
• outpatient clinics
• home settings
• remotely via video calls

There are various reasons why you may have been referred. Perhaps:

• you have been treated for a mental health problem in the past and you are planning a further pregnancy or are already pregnant.
• your GP, midwife, obstetrician or health visitor feels that you may be unwell and could benefit from our help.
• there is a family history of certain mental health problems, such as bipolar affective disorder or postpartum psychosis, which can sometimes increase the risk of mental health problems after childbirth.

Our multi-disciplinary team are a group of professionals with different skills and expertise who work together to provide a package of care and treatment that is appropriate for you. The team includes psychiatrists, mental health nurses, a nursery nurse, a social worker, healthcare assistant, support staff and administrative staff. We also have students on training placements.

Following an initial assessment your careplan will be tailored to your individual needs. Common treatments may include talking therapies, medication and working with you and your baby together. You may be offered the following:

Outpatient Clinic Assessment and Treatment

This usually involves you attending one of our clinics where staff will assess your particular needs and discuss options regarding any care and treatment you may require.

We will usually either send you a letter with an appointment date or ask you to contact us by phone to make an appointment. There are clinics at various locations. Where possible, we will try to give you an appointment near your home or the hospital where you will deliver your baby.

At the first appointment we would ask you to bring your maternity record. You are welcome to bring a partner/family member or friend to the appointment, but we find it helpful to speak to you alone for some of the time.

Treatment and Support at Home

It may be helpful to receive care and treatment in your own home. Our community outreach team can provide this. Staff from the team can work with you, your family and with others involved in your care e.g. your GP, midwife, health visitor or social worker.

Maternity Hospital Assessment

Occasionally your midwife or obstetrician may ask us to see you while you are on the antenatal or postnatal wards. They will discuss this with you before we visit.

If you are pregnant and receiving care from the Perinatal Mental Health Service, then your psychiatrist and any other team members involved in your care will agree a mental health care and treatment plan with you. This plan will be agreed a few weeks before your delivery in preparation for the birth and the early postnatal period. With your agreement, the care and treatment plan will be shared with your midwife, obstetrician, GP, health visitor and others involved in your care to ensure that you receive the agreed treatment.

You will be allocated a named healthcare professional who will be your main point of contact via the telephone number for our service. If you need to speak to a healthcare professional outwith working hours call 111. In an emergency call 999.

If you are unable to keep your appointment we ask that you give us as much notice as possible if you need to rearrange or cancel your appointment. This allows us to make best use of our clinical time. To cancel or rearrange your appointment please call us.

If you need an interpreter to be present or require any specific support to attend your appointment please inform our administration staff when you receive your appointment letter.

We will ask for your consent before sharing any information with friends, family members and carers. Additional support is available for carers (see below).

When you talk with a health professional in private you will expect that what is said remains confidential. This principle is central to trust between patients and their doctor or other health professionals. Details of your care and treatment, including anything you tell us, remain confidential and will only be shared within our multidisciplinary clinical team (which includes health and social care staff).

All health professionals are bound by law and professional codes of conduct to this duty of confidentiality to their patients.

Once you have been seen, we will write back to the person who referred you. Usually we also send copies of our assessment to your GP, health visitor, obstetrician, midwife and social worker (if you have one) – unless you do not give permission for us to do so.

Occasionally there may be serious concerns for your safety or for the safety of others. In these circumstances we have a responsibility to discuss relevant information with other agencies, including social services, who can offer help, support and protection.

In most cases, you have the right to access you health records. You can discuss this with your Perinatal Team member. You can also do this by writing to the Medical Records Manager, Leverndale Hospital, 510 Crookston Road, Glasgow, G53 7TU.

If you are unhappy with any aspect of the service, please talk to a member of the team who will investigate the issues that you have raised and get back to you. Alternatively you may wish to contact the Nurse Team Leader on 0141 211 6500. If the issue cannot be resolved and you wish to make a formal complaint, staff will provide you with information outlining the process.

A carer is someone who looks after a partner, relative or friend who cannot manage without help because of illness, frailty or disability. They may or may not live together.

If you would benefit from support in your caring role, local carers services can help. They can provide you with help and support regarding a number of issues including access to respite, short breaks, information and advice on a wide range of topics, emotional support and access to carers support groups. To find information about your local carers service anywhere in Scotland please contact:

The Carers Information Line

Telephone: 0141 353 6504

Email: info@glasgowcarersinformation.org.uk

We accept referrals from a wide range of professionals. Please contact us for details on referral criteria and forms to access our services.

We provide an Advice line for Professionals to discuss referrals. This service is available weekdays (except Wednesday) from 9.30am to 12.30pm on 0141 211 6500.