Information for parents The safest way for a mother living with HIV in the UK to feed her baby is to bottle feed using formula milk. If you are on treatment with an undetectable viral load and choose to breastfeed your baby we can help you make it as safe as possible for your baby, but it will not be …
Read moreDischarge advice for patients following coronary angiography with removal of sheath using Clo Sur P.A.D.
12th August 2020What happened during this procedure? During your coronary angiogram a small hole was made in the artery in the groin, which seals itself after the sheath is removed. A special dressing has been applied to help the wound to seal. How should I care for my wound once I get home? After 24 hours, remove the clear dressing. If the …
Read moreDischarge advice for patients following daycase cardioversion
12th August 2020What happened during this procedure?You have had a short acting general anaesthetic, and then treatment which aims to get your abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) back to a normal pattern. This has involved sending electric signals to your heart through electrodes placed on the chest. Will it hurt? You may find your skin a little sore for two to three days …
Read moreDischarge advice for patients following a transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE)
12th August 2020What happened during this procedure? A transoesophageal echocardiography, or TOE, takes detailed pictures of your heart from your oesophagus (the tube that connects your throat to your stomach), which lies behind your heart. This test is used to get closer and more defined images of the heart as it can detect things that are not as easy to see with …
Read moreLong term azithromycin for adults with respiratory conditions
11th August 2020Why have I been prescribed Azithromycin? You have been prescribed Azithromycin to try to prevent your lung condition getting worse if you have an infection. What is Azithromycin and how does it work? Azithromycin is a type of macrolide antibiotic. It works in two ways: As an antibiotic, it kills bacteria that can cause chest infections. As an anti-inflammatory to …
Read moreDischarge advice for patients with a permanent pacemaker (PPM)
30th July 2020What will happen before I leave hospital? Your pacemaker will be checked by a cardiac physiologist, who will then arrange for you to have a further pacemaker check approximately six to eight weeks after the implant date. They will give you a pacemaker identification card with the details of your device. Keep this card with you at all times. You …
Read moreDischarge advice for patients with internal cardiac defibrillator (ICD)
30th July 2020What will happen before I leave hospital? Your ICD will be checked by a cardiac physiologist, who will then arrange for you to have the ICD checked approximately six to eight weeks after the implant date. They will give you an ICD identification card with the details of your device. Keep this card with you at all times. You will …
Read moreMy baby has a bruise or unusual skin mark
24th July 2020Why is there concern that my baby may have a bruise or unusual skin mark?A bruise on a baby who cannot yet crawl or walk is very unusual and can be a serious cause for concern. What could be the reason for the bruise or unusual skin mark? It might not be a bruise at all, it may be an …
Read moreDry eyes
7th July 2020What are dry eyes?Having dry eyes is a very common condition that occurs when the eyes don’t make enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly. This leads to the eyes drying out and becoming red, swollen and irritated. Dry eye can also be called keratoconjunctivitis sicca or simply dry eye syndrome. What are the causes of dry eyes?Some possible …
Read more