Helpful advice and information about speech, language, communication and swallowing support can be found on the websites below:
Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland
The Health and Care Professions Council
Nuclear Medicine services in NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde are organised into sectors. Details of which sector supports each hospital/specialised service are as follows:
North East Sector: Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Stobhill Ambulatory Care Hospital, Lightburn Hospital, Inverclyde Royal Hospital, and Dental hospital
North West Sector: Gartnavel General Hospital (including Beatson Oncology Centre), West Glasgow Ambulatory Care Hospital and Vale of Leven Hospital
South & Clyde Sector: Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Institute of Neurological Sciences, New Victoria Hospital, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Inverclyde Royal Hospital and Dykebar Hospital
Contact telephone numbers for each sector/specialist service can be accessed from the button below.
The Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations [IR(ME)R] 2017 make it necessary for all investigations using ionising radiation to be justified on an individual patient basis. To meet this requirement, the Nuclear Medicine service have produced referral criteria which, if met, would justify a nuclear medicine procedure under most circumstances.
To view referral criteria, visit the Nuclear Medicine & PET-CT referral criteria guidelines.
All NHS GGC referrers with access to TrakCare or NHS GGC GPOCS MUST use these systems to make a referral to Nuclear Medicine services (including speciality services).
Non-NHSGGC referrers must complete this form, instructions for completing this form can be found here.
Referral information and request forms for PET-CT imaging can be found on the West of Scotland PET Centre webpage.
To view referral criteria, visit the Nuclear Medicine & PET-CT referral criteria guidelines.
The referring ward/doctor must read the following important Patient Escort Information Leaflet prior to confirming your patient’s appointment at either the Nuclear Medicine or PET service.
Further booking information and timing for in-patient SAS transfer can be found here.
More information about your visit to Nuclear Medicine can be found in the sections below. Information on services and hospital locations can be found using the sector links at the bottom of this page.
For general information about Nuclear Medicine tests and procedures, please read our Nuclear Medicine Test information booklet.
For information about the risks and benefits that come from using radiation, you can refer to our Your Nuclear Medicine Test and You information leaflet.
If a relative or friend is accompanying you to provide support during your appointment they should read the ‘Advice for Carers and Comforters’ leaflet. A copy of this leaflet will also be given to them on the day of your appointment.
For patient information read our Having a Lung Scan During Pregnancy leaflet, members of staff in the Nuclear Medicine department will also be able to answer any questions you have regarding your scan.
This test uses a small amount of radiation to obtain images which will help your doctor understand your condition. This will cause a small amount of radioactivity to be present in your breast milk. Your baby should not ingest any of this radioactivity and the following advice will prevent this happening.
The nuclear medicine department will issue you with advice and a form detailing when you can restart breastfeeding.
For patient information read our Information on Your Radioactive Iodine leaflet, members of staff in the Nuclear Medicine department will also be able to answer any questions you have regarding your treatment.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is organised into sectors based on location. To best find the information you are looking for please choose which hospital sector you require by following the relevant links below:
Gartnavel General Hospital (including Beatson Oncology Centre), West Glasgow Ambulatory Care Hospital, Vale of Leven Hospital.
Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Stobhill Ambulatory Care Hospital, Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Lightburn Hospital, Dental Hospital.
Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Institute of Neurological Sciences, New Victoria Hospital, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Dykebar Hospital.
We know that you may have some questions about the Mesh Repair Service and this information leaflet may answer some of your questions.
There will be staff from the National Mesh Service multidisciplinary team. This will include doctors, a psychologist; physiotherapist and nursing staff.
Yes, you can bring someone along with you and we would encourage you to do so.
Yes, you can record your appointment.
We may offer you a vaginal and or rectal examination, a Trans Labial Scan or a Bladder Scan. We may also measure your weight and height.
Yes, you will see your scan pictures. The staff will also review your scan and discuss this with you.
We cannot give you a time as our surgical waiting times have been affected by the ongoing current pandemic.
Your appointment could last several hours depending on your clinical needs.
Yes.
Yes, we will be happy to discuss your concerns and answer your questions.
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:
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.
Senior Charge Nurses: Sally O’Rourke and Carol Archibald
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.
Enhanced recovery plan helps you to recover more quickly and return home faster. This leaflet gives you advice on:
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 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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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 :
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.
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.
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 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:
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.
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:
The links below may be useful:
What you eat and drink is very important for bladder and bowel health. Staying active also helps.
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.
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:
For further help with this, see you GP for local services and have a look at the following website pages:
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.
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.
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:
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:
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.
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)
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.
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.
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:
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)
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.
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:
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.
The following links provide useful information for patients coming through our service.
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.
This Service offers comprehensive, specialist assessment, surgical intervention, post-operative care and post-surgery follow-up, with ongoing management provided by local NHS Boards with support from the Service.
The Service is hosted by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC). The NHSGGC service forms part of the UK network of 10 specialist mesh centres and is recognised for its clinical expertise in this field.
The Complex Mesh Surgical Service is for adults who are living with complications caused by mesh insertion for urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse
Outpatient clinics for the Service are situated in the New Victoria Hospital, Glasgow.
Our service offers video consultations using Attend Anywhere to patients wherever appropriate.
It is advisable to test your device in advance to check for any technical issues.
Further details can be found in the below leaflet
We provide a specialist service to women living in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) area and those attending any of the NHSGGC maternity hospitals. Our multi-disciplinary community team cares for women who are seeking pre-pregnancy advice or are pregnant. We also see women who are referred in the postnatal period and may remain involved up to 12 months postnatal.
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:
There are various reasons why you may have been referred. Perhaps:
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:
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.
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.
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:
Telephone: 0141 353 6504
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.