Services A to Z

You can provide anonymous feedback, about any of our services, using the Care Opinion form or calling 0800 122 3135. Your feedback will be shared with our services and you will receive a response on Care Opinion.

You can share your feedback about NHSGGC through our online feedback form.

You won’t receive a response to your feedback; however, your comments will help drive change and improvement.

Click the below button to view our latest report.

Engaging with patients, staff and the public is a key priority for INS Redevelopment.

Throughout the project there will be many opportunities for patients, their family members, NHS staff and the general public to get involved.

To register your interest in becoming a member of a group, providing feedback on the project, or to join our email distribution list (to be kept up to date about latest news and opportunities to get involved), click the button below and complete the form.

Alternatively, you can email the Patient Experience and Public Involvement Team at Public.Involvement@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

The Institute of Neurological Sciences (INS) was opened in 1974, and originally consisted of four services over three buildings:

Since then, services have expanded and now include the Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Neurorehabilitation, and treatments for a range of neurological conditions supported by the West of Scotland Short Stay and Day Treatment service.

From four services across three buildings, the INS now provides over 20 interlinked clinical services across seven buildings.

The specialist services provided by the Institute of Neurological Sciences support the local, regional and national​ populations of Scotland.

Local and Regional services cover 2.25 – 2.75 million people​, with national services covering 5.5 million people​.

Our services treat over 16,000 inpatient and day cases per year as well as providing over 50,000 outpatient appointments.

The INS is the largest Neurosciences centre in Scotland,​ providing two-thirds of NHS Scotland’s specialist neurosciences beds.

The services within the Institute of Neurological Sciences (INS) have undergone significant changes over recent years, with new and improved technologies and increased number of services.

The redevelopment of the INS will provide opportunities to:

• enable new ways of working
• implement advancing technology
• provide safer environments for patient care
• develop a sustainable estate that addresses the NHSGGC Board and Scottish Governments’ carbon reduction targets
• continue to attract and retain world-leading staff
• progress the development of an International Centre of Excellence for Neurological Sciences

Ensuring the Institute of Neurological Sciences continues to deliver world class services and treatments to the population of Scotland for years to come.

Over the last few years NHSGGC has been working on the Initial Agreement which confirms the need for change for the Institute of Neurological Sciences (INS).

Through a series of workshops with patients, staff and Third sector organisations the project team has:

• Reviewed and benchmarked the existing facilities
• Produced a high level design statement which can be viewed in our design section
• Identified high level benefits and merits of the project

This resulted in the submission of the Initial Agreement to the Scottish Government Health Directorate Capital Investment Group which was approved in March 2023. The Initial Agreement can be found in our document library section.

NHSGGC has now begun working on outlining the preferred option for the redevelopment of the Institute of Neurological Sciences.

The project team comprises a range of non clinical and clinical staff from NHSGGC including Service and Capital Planning representatives.

Arwel Williams
Senior Responsible Officer/Director of South Sector

Susan Walker
Project General Manager

John Donnelly
Director for Major Projects

Marjorie Johns
Planning Manager

Andrew Baillie
Deputy Director for Major Projects

Dr Bryan Dawson
Project Clinical Lead

Fiona Warnock-Greer
Senior Project Manager

Alastair Reid
Project Manager

Susan Smith
Programme Support Manager

With input from key stakeholders including patients, third sector, clinical and non-clinical staff, an initial design statement was developed in 2021 to support the redevelopment of the Institute of Neurological Sciences.

The design statement is a key briefing document used to enhance the design process and ensure project objectives are achieved.

The statement was supported by Architecture & Design Scotland and Health Facilities Scotland.

For people with cancer, the relationship between food and eating can change. The webpage below was written by Dietitians at the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre to help you to take care of your food intake and nutrition by yourself. But if you are struggling to manage on your own you can ask a Dietitian for advice.

Dietitians and Support Workers can see you if you stay on a ward at the Beatson (or at your local hospital). Or you can ask your GP to refer you to see a Dietitian in a local clinic.

For further information

This information is for people who have been diagnosed with IBS.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects 1 in 5 adults, primarily impacting the bowel and gut. Symptoms include diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain and/or discomfort, abdominal cramps, bloating, and excessive wind. Other symptoms are nausea, heartburn, lethargy and tiredness.

Although there is no specific test for diagnosing IBS, it is important to have a diagnosis confirmed. Tests are required to rule out other conditions like coeliac disease and Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) (eg crohns disease, ulcerative colitis). If you think you might have IBS it’s important to speak to your Doctor before making dietary changes. It’s essential that you explain your symptoms, making sure to mention if you have any of the following:

– unintentional and unexplained weight loss

– rectal bleeding

– a family history of bowel or ovarian cancer

– a change in bowel habit to looser and/or more frequent stools persisting for more than six weeks in a person aged over 60 years

– iron deficiency anaemia

– nausea and / or vomiting

– reflux / heartburn

The cause of IBS is unknown, however symptoms can be improved through diet and lifestyle changes. This might include changes to what you eat and drink, exercising and finding ways to relax and manage stress.

The links below provide information and first line advice to help you manage your symptoms.

If your symptoms continue despite making these changes, speak to your Dietitian. Sometimes special Diets such as low lactose, wheat free or a low FODMAP diet can help. However these diets can cause nutritional deficiencies so always make sure that you get advice from a Dietitian before trying them. Your GP or health professional can refer you to your local Dietetic service.

When your liver is not working well, your body needs extra energy and protein. Malnutrition (weight loss and muscle wasting) is common in liver disease. This resource was written by dietitians in NHSGGC to help guide you on what to eat and drink if you have, or are at risk of, malnutrition. 

For further information on nutrition, talk to your liver team. They may refer you for an appointment with a dietitian. 

See Information Eating to Feel Better. Liver Disease for more information

The role of the dietitian includes nutritional assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation of nutrition related issues in respiratory patients.

Universally across respiratory conditions, the management of malnutrition is at the forefront of priorities for Dietitians – however both under nutrition and over nutrition are considered.

Having a diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) means patients use 10 times more energy to breathe than someone with healthy lungs – Therefore COPD patients need more energy to do the work of breathing. A good diet can help prevent lung infections. Ensuring the patient has a sound nutritional status reduces the risk of getting infections, improves lung function and reduces both likelihood/ duration of hospital stay. Good diet also reduces the likelihood of unplanned weight loss from eating poorly which can weaken the muscles used for breathing. Poor nutritional intake/ status can make symptoms of COPD worse and it can also decrease a patients ability to exercise.

Community Respiratory Team can be contacted on 0141 800 0790 and patient needing dietetic input will be seen by Community dietitians

See link below for short video on the role on diet and COPD.

Changes to your diet can significantly improve IBS symptoms in some people. Eating well, being well hydrated and increasing/ decreasing your fibre intake (based on symptoms) might be helpful in managing symptoms. Links below provide further information on diet.

Being physically active can help to improve IBS symptoms, moving your body is particularly helpful if you are constipated.

Stress, anxiety and low mood can make IBS symptoms worse. Links below provide information and that may be helpful if you are suffering.

Alcohol can make IBS symptoms worse. Reducing alcohol intake can help to reduce symptoms, as well as having positive effects on physical and mental health.

Smoking can make IBS symptoms worse.