Your health

Why would I be admitted to a Virtual Hospital?

You may be discharged from hospital but admitted to the Virtual Hospital because your condition:

• Requires ongoing monitoring or treatment
• Can be safely managed at home
• Does not require you to stay in hospital.

This approach allows you to recover in a more comfortable setting while still receiving high-quality care. It also allows us to free up hospital beds for patients who need them.

What is a Virtual Pathway?

Is this safe?

Yes. This option is only offered when your team feels it is safe for you to go home with the right advice and support. If you are unsure, please talk to us before you leave. We want you to feel confident before leaving the hospital.

Will my test/scan be delayed because I went home?

No. Your test is still prioritised and arranged as part of your hospital care.

Do I need to contact my GP?

No. This is organised through hospital services. Once complete, your GP will receive a copy of the results.

What will happen if I miss my appointment?

The team will contact you and discuss next steps.

Read more on the pathways that affect you.

Discharge to Scan+

What is Discharge to Scan?

Discharge to Scan means you are well enough to go home, but you still need a CT or MRI scan to help your hospital team complete your care.

Instead of staying in hospital to wait for your scan, you can recover at home within our Virtual Hospital and return for your scan when your appointment is ready.

This helps you:

• Get home sooner
• Rest and recover in familiar surroundings
• Avoid staying in hospital longer than you need to.

Why am I being offered this?

Your hospital team has checked that:

• You are medically fit to leave hospital
• It is safe for you to go home.

You have been offered Discharge to Scan because it is safe, planned and supported.

Remember ‘It’s Okay to Ask’. The hospital team will make sure you understand the Benefits, Risks, and Alternatives, including doing nothing (We call this BRAN).

What happens next?

Going home

Before you leave hospital, we will:

• Explain why it is safe for you to go home
• Talk through any symptoms to watch out for
• Give you clear advice on who to contact if you feel unwell.

The team are happy to answer your questions. You should feel confident and informed about going home, before you leave
the hospital.

Your scan appointment

After you go home:

• The Virtual Hospital will contact you
• The staff will book your scan
• We will phone you with the appointment details
• We may offer you an appointment at any hospital in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. If you request a specific location, this may delay your scan
• Most scans are arranged within 5-7 working days.

You do not need to phone to book the scan yourself. We will do this for you.

Coming back for your scan

On the day of your scan:

• You will come into hospital just for the scan
• The team will explain what will happen
• You can usually go home after your scan.

Getting your results

After your scan:

• The results will be reviewed with your hospital team
• We will contact you with the results within a few days of your scan
• Your referring clinician or hospital team will let you know if you need any follow up appointments or treatment.

What should I do while I’m at home?

While waiting for your scan:

• Follow the advice given by your hospital team
• Rest and recover as you normally would
• Get help urgently if you feel worse.

Your hospital team will give you clear instructions on:

• Which symptoms mean you should get help
• Who to contact during the day
• What to do out of hours.

If you are worried, do not wait for your scan appointment.

Contact Information

• If you have a non-urgent concern: Contact the Virtual Hospital between 8.00am and 10.00pm, 7 days a week by calling 0800 652 1425. Your enquiry will be passed to a member of the clinical team for advice.
• If you think it’s urgent but not life-threatening – Call NHS 24 on 111.
• If you think it’s an emergency – Go straight to your nearest A&E or call 999.

Download or view the ‘Discharge to Scan’ leaflet

Discharge to Virtual Review+

What is Discharge to Virtual Review?

Discharge to Virtual Review means you are well enough to go home, but you still need follow-up blood tests to help your hospital team complete your care.

Instead of staying in hospital to wait for your blood tests, you can recover at home within our Virtual Hospital and return for your blood tests when your appointment is ready.

This helps you:

• Get home sooner
• Rest and recover in familiar surroundings
• Avoid staying in hospital longer than you need to.

Why am I being offered this?

Your hospital team has checked that:

• You are medically fit to leave hospital
• It is safe for you to go home
• You still need monitoring (blood tests).

You have been offered Discharge to Virtual Review because it is safe, planned, and supported.

Remember ‘It’s Okay to Ask’, the hospital team will make sure you understand the Benefits, Risks, and Alternatives including doing nothing (We call this BRAN).

What happens next

Going home

Before you leave hospital, we will:

• Explain why it is safe for you to go home
• Talk through any symptoms to watch out for
• Give you clear advice on who to contact if you feel unwell.

The team are happy to answer your questions, you should feel confident and informed about going home before you leave
the hospital.

Your blood test appointment

After you go home:

• The Virtual Hospital will contact you
• The staff will book your blood test for you
• We will phone you with the appointment details (date/time/location)
• Appointments are usually arranged within a few days and up to one week depending on your clinical need.

You must be able to attend a clinic for your blood test as blood tests cannot currently be carried out at home.

Your Virtual Review

After your blood test:

• A clinician will review your results
• You will have a telephone or video consultation to discuss your care

The team will explain what will happen next:

• If your results are reassuring, you may be discharged from the pathway
• If further care is needed, your clinical team will explain the next steps.

What should I do while I’m at home?

While waiting for your appointment:

• Follow the advice given by your hospital team Rest and recover as you normally would
• Attend your blood test appointment as arranged Get help urgently if you
  feel worse.

Your hospital team will give you clear instructions on:

• Which symptoms mean you should get help
• Who to contact during the day
• What to do out of hours.

If you are worried, do not wait for your appointment.

Contact Information

• If you have a non-urgent concern: Contact the Virtual Hospital between 8.00am and 10.00pm, 7 days a week by calling 0800 652 1425. Your enquiry will be passed to a member of the clinical team for advice.
• If you think it’s urgent but not life-threatening: Call NHS 24 on 111.
• If you think your condition is life threatening: Go straight to your nearest A&E or call 999.

Download or view the ‘Discharge to Virtual Review leaflet here

Current resources available to download

Patient Journey Materials for Print

• Patient Journey Poster
• Patient Journey Flyer
• Patient Journey Roller Banner

Engagement Survey on the priorities for the Draft Strategy for Palliative Care and Care around Dying for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC), in partnership with local HSCPs and Hospices, have been working on the development of a draft strategy on palliative care and care around dying for the NHS GGC area. Throughout 2025 we worked with local communities to hear about their lived experience of palliative care. This previous engagement helped inform this strategy including the key priorities to deliver. We would like to hear from you to check if we have got the right priorities for our vision from your perspective.

The 5 key priorities for delivering palliative care and care around dying for all services are all equally important and are listed below in no particular order.

• Priority 1: Early identification and person-centred care planning of palliative care needs
• Priority 2: Equitable, coordinated, responsive care across all settings
• Priority 3: Enhance access to information, digital inclusion and community empowerment around palliative care
• Priority 4: Ensure accessible and compassionate bereavement support for all
• Priority 5: Supported, skilled and resilient workforce

We would like to hear from you to check if these priorities are clear, easy to understand and include everything they need to.

The information you provide will help us develop the vision for palliative care and care around dying within NHS GGC.

All information you share will be treated sensitively, anonymised and stored securely.

Should you need this survey in any other format or if you prefer to speak to someone in person please email : ggc.public.involvement@nhs.scot

We can arrange a suitable day and time to phone you at your convenience.

Patient Experience Public Involvement Team
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Please note, the survey will close on Friday 5th June 2026.

For further information, open the presentation linked below or the play the video version with narration.

Palliative Care and Care Around Dying Draft Strategic Priorities Engagement May – June 2026 (PDF or Power Point versions available)

Further Information

Palliative care information sheet with background on strategy development, key facts and information on the engagement process.
Information sheet (PDF or Word versions available)

Palliative care – Palliative Care – NHSGGC 
  
Bereavement – Bereavement Information and Support – NHSGGC 
  
NHS Inform – Bereavement and grief self-help guide | NHS inform 
  
Cruse – Home : Cruse Scotland

Important information for patients

GP practices across NHSGGC are in the process of moving to a new GP IT system. This change is part of a wider programme to support a major computer upgrade that will see all practices across Scotland using the same GP IT system.

What does this mean for patients?

For most patients, there will be little or no long term change to how you access GP services. However, during the changeover period, there will likely be a difference in the services offered, and a reduced availability of appointments at your Practice, for approximately 10 days.

These may include:

• Reduced appointment availability on specific days. Please only contact the practice if you require urgent medical assistance on the day
• Changes to online services (such as appointment booking or ordering repeat prescriptions)
• Delays in processing non‑urgent requests or paperwork

The Practice may continue to experience some challenges during the subsequent 2 to 3 months as it adjusts to operating services using the new system.

Your GP practice team will do everything they can to minimise disruption and continue to provide safe care.

When will I know if my GP Practice is undergoing this change?

GP Practices will look to contact all patients in advance with as much notice as possible. This page will also list the impacted GP Practices below.

If you have not been contacted or informed of any impact, this change has already happened or will happen in the future.

What does this mean for GP Practice Clinical & Administration teams?

This change represents a significant shift for clinical and administrative teams, who are adapting to new systems and processes while continuing to provide frontline care. Implementing a large‑scale change of this nature takes time, and staff are managing additional complexity as the new arrangements are introduced. We appreciate patients’ understanding during this period of transition.

What is not changing?

• You will remain registered with your GP practice.
• Urgent care will continue to be available as normal.
• Your medical records will be transferred securely.
• Routine appointments will be available again to book in the coming weeks.

What can patients do to help?

• Contact your practice directly if you have urgent health concerns.
• Continue to attend appointments as scheduled unless you are advised otherwise.
• If you are due to order a prescription during this time, please submit your request early.
• Use online services only as advised by your practice during this period.
• Please be patient and understanding if there are short delays.

Thank you for your patience while this important work is carried out to improve GP IT systems for the future.

Timetable of impacted practices

The National Digital Type 2 Diabetes Remission Programme is delivered nationally by Counterweight and is designed to complement existing local remission pathways.

It supports eligible patients with type 2 diabetes to achieve and sustain remission through an evidence-based, structured weight management programme. 

An information sheet outlining the aims of the programme, eligibility criteria, and what this means for primary care teams is available NHS Scotland – Type 2 Diabetes Programme | Counterweight.

Further information is available via the NHS Scotland section of the Counterweight website, which includes educational resources, referral guidance, and medication adjustment information to support safe participation in the programme.

I want to refer my patient

To refer your patient to the National Digital Type 2 Diabetes Remission Programme, please find more information below:

I want to know more about the medical management once my patient is referred

For more information please visit the below links:

• Visit the NHS Scotland Type 2 Diabetes Programme Counterweight website
• Or email ANIAremission@nhs.scot

The programme is for patients who require more personalised or intensive support than the National Digital Type 2 Diabetes Remission Programme can provide.

I would like to refer my patient

An information sheet below outlines the considerations to make when choosing the most appropriate remission programme for your patient, details of eligibility criteria and how to make a referral. Please ensure patients meet all eligibility criteria and have no known medical exclusions.

NHSGGC Type 2 Diabetes Remission Programme Information Sheet

Eligible patients are screened for suitability and once enrolled, are supported throughout the 12-month programme by local specialist diabetes dietitians to help them achieve remission.

The NHSGGC Remission Team will align them to a local specialist diabetes dietitian who will support them throughout their weight loss journey, helping them achieve remission. 

The dietitians from the NHSGGC Remission Team are happy to discuss and advise on individual cases.  
 
Contact Details

• Call Type 2 Diabetes Hub: 0141 531 8901
• ggc.type2diabetes.remission@nhs.scot 

Roles and responsibilities of the GP Practice

Pre-Programme

• Confirm eligibility, including up-to-date HbA1c and blood pressure
• Review and advise on medication changes, where necessary, prior to starting the programme (patient to book this appointment). Please refer to Medication Adjustment and Guidance for advice
• Prescribe a 3-month supply of fibre supplement, if clinically appropriate
• Provide a blood glucose monitor and box of strips. Only for patients previously on hypoglycaemic medication

During the Programme

• Liaise with dietitians regarding medical or medication-related queries, as required
• Review and adjust medications if indicated (e.g. in response to changes in blood glucose or blood pressure)
• Support patients in arranging HbA1c testing at approximately 3 and 6 months
• Receive written updates on patient progress, including notification of withdrawal where applicable

Post-Programme

• Support HbA1c testing at 12 months
• Continue routine annual diabetes care
• Receive a summary of patient progress and outcomes at 12 months

Ongoing Communication and Monitoring 

• Raise any clinical concerns with the dietitian as appropriate
• Patients are responsible for self-monitoring (blood glucose, blood pressure, weight) and for reporting concerns to the dietitian and/or GP practice
• Dietitians will contact the GP where medication review is indicated; prescribing decisions remain the responsibility of the GP
• GP practices will be kept informed of patient progress throughout the programme

Additional Information

• Dietitians can provide weighing scales and blood pressure monitors if required
• The programme will be evaluated in line with the Scottish Government framework, with quarterly reporting

What does the programme involve for my patient

Please explain to your patient that they will receive a programme information leaflet and a letter inviting them to book an appointment in the programme.

Following your patient booking an appointment with the NHSGGC Remission Team they will be screened to ensure they are suitable for the programme.

The referrer will also receive a notification on the outcome of the referral via letter.

If your patient is suitable, they will be fully supported by the NHSGGC Remission Team in preparation to commence the programme detailed below. 

Stage 1 – Total Diet Replacement (12 weeks)

• All meals are replaced with nutritionally balanced soups and shakes (providing around 850 calories per day)

Stage 2 – Food Reintroduction (12 weeks)

• Gradual return to everyday foods and support with healthy eating and lifestyle habits.

Stage 3 – Weight Maintenance (6 months)

• Ongoing support to help with building sustainable lifestyle habits and maintaining weight loss.

Where does the programme take place

Patients have the option of a mixture of in person, video or telephone calls.

There are clinics located across the Board.

Medication adjustments and guidance

Please note the guidance is the same for both the national and local programmes.

Medication and Adjustments for the Type 2 Remission Programme

The National Digital Type 2 Diabetes Remission Programme is an NHS funded, 12 month, clinically proven, weight management programme supporting people with type 2 diabetes to achieve remission across Scotland.

To learn about the programme, please click on link below:

To find out more and check whether this programme might be right for you, please speak to your GP or diabetes care team.

If you are eligible for the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Type 2 Diabetes Remission Programme, you will be invited to book an appointment with the team to learn more about the programme.

If suitable to start the programme, you will be supported by a Specialist Diabetes Dietitian for the 12-month programme.  The programme is designed to help you safely lose weight and build healthier lifestyle habits for the future.

The programme is free of charge for all patients.

What the programme involves

Stage 1 – Total Diet Replacement (12 weeks)

• All meals are replaced with nutritionally balanced soups and shakes (providing around 850 calories per day)

Stage 2 – Food Reintroduction (12 weeks)

• Gradual return to everyday foods and support with healthy eating and lifestyle habits.

Stage 3 – Weight Maintenance (6 months)

• Ongoing support to help with building sustainable lifestyle habits and maintaining weight loss.
• Your GP or diabetes care team will be involved and support any required medication changes.

Further Information

Take control of your health and diabetes

Type 2 diabetes doesn’t have to be a lifelong condition. Research shows that by losing 10 kilograms to 15 kilograms, many people can achieve diabetes remission and improve their long-term health.

While remission is a realistic goal for many adults with type 2 diabetes, not everyone will meet the eligibility criteria for the programmes offered.

What is diabetes remission?

Diabetes remission means your blood glucose (sugar) levels return to a non-diabetes range without needing diabetes medication.

Not everyone will achieve remission, but many people who take part experience huge improvements in their health, weight, energy levels, and overall wellbeing.

Remission is not a cure. Diabetes can return, particularly if weight is regained. However, with the right support and ongoing lifestyle changes, many people can keep their diabetes well controlled for years.

For more information on type 2 diabetes remission watch the below video.

As part of your diabetes treatment plan, your GP can discuss the different programmes available to you.  Please click the options below to find out more about the programmes.

A Patient’s Story