Time-to-Transition - Birth Partner Information

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If you are birth partner to someone who has chosen to take part in the Time-to-Transition Caesarean Birth Study, you may be able to take part in this questionnaire study.

If you would like to request a pdf version of our study information, please email the Study team at: TTT@nbt.nhs.uk

What is a Time-to-Transition Caesarean Birth?

The main study is testing the Time-to-Transition Caesarean Birth method, which has been developed by Obstetricians and Neonatologists at Southmead Maternity Unit.

Rather than being born rapidly after opening the womb, the doctor will deliver the baby’s head and keep the body inside the womb until the baby starts to breathe or to cry, up to a maximum of 2 minutes, before delivering the baby fully. The birth will be filmed using two Hospital cameras. We will ask for your consent to be filmed. If you say no, we can film the birth in such a way that you will not be visible. You can still be involved in this Birth Partner study if you say no to being filmed.

 

 

Why have I been invited to take part?

As you are the birth partner of someone who has agreed to take part in the Time-to-Transition Caesarean Birth study, we would like to invite you to take part too, by sharing your thoughts about your experiences of the birth. If you decide not to take part, the person who you are birth partner to can still be involved in the study.

Are there any benefits to taking part?

There will not be any direct benefit to you in taking part, but you may be helping families in the future once the results of this study are known.

Are there any risks?

This is a questionnaire study and there will be no risk to you.

To find out more about the possible benefits or risks to the caesarean birth itself, please refer to the “Time-to-Transition Caesarean Birth Study” information leaflet. (where can this be found)??

How much time will it take?

If you agree to take part, we will ask you some questions about yourself (such as age and ethnicity).

We will also ask you to complete a short questionnaire about your experience as a birth partner to a participant of the main study

  • once just after the baby’s birth and
  • once when the baby is about a month old.

Each questionnaire will take about 5-10 minutes to complete, and can be done over the phone, or on a smartphone or computer if you have one.

Who is doing the study?

This study is being carried out by staff at North Bristol NHS Trust and the University of the West of England.

 

How is this study funded?

This study is funded by donations made to the Southmead Hospital Charity.

Who has reviewed this study?

The Health Research Authority and South Central Berkshire Research Ethics Committee (B) REC: 23/SC/0228 IRAS project ID: 325202 have reviewed and agreed to this study.

What happens next?

If you are eligible and interested in learning more, a Research Midwife will talk to you and help you decide if you'd like to take part in this study. If you would still like to take part, they will ask you to complete a consent form.

What if I change my mind?

You can change your mind and withdraw from this study at any time and without giving a reason, but we will keep information about you that we already have. If you do not want this to happen, tell us and we will stop. It will not affect the care that you receive, nor that of the person you are birth partner for.

We will ask you to let us know your preference by completing a study withdrawal form.

We need to manage your records in specific ways for the research to be reliable. This means that we won’t be able to let you see or change the research data we hold about you. If you agree to take part in this study, you will have the option to take part in future research using your data saved from this study.

 

 

 

 

How will my information be used?

All research in the UK, which uses patient information must follow UK law (the Data Protection Act) and GDPR* rules.

North Bristol NHS Trust (UK) is the Sponsor for this study. This means we are responsible for looking after your information and using it properly, according to the rules and law.

In this questionnaire study we will need to use some information about you. This information will include your name, contact details and some basic information such as your age and ethnicity. We will use your contact details to get in touch with you by phone, email, or text.

We will keep all information about you safe and secure. People who do not need to know who you are will not need to see your name or contact details. Your data will be given a code number instead. We will write our reports in such a way that no one can work out who took part in the study.

Once we have finished the research study, we will keep some of the data so that we can check the results. We will store study data for up to 5 years after the end of the project, as per standard protocol at North Bristol NHS Trust. We will write our reports in such a way that no one can work out who took part in the study.

(*GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation)

Where can I find more about how my information will be used?

North Bristol NHS Trust is the sponsor for this study. You can find out more about how we use your information at:

Patient Data & Research Privacy Policy | North Bristol NHS Trust (nbt.nhs.uk)

www.hra.nhs.uk/information-about-patients.

You can also:

  • Ask one of the research team
  • Contact Helen Williamson (Head of Information Governance) at helen.e.williamson@nbt.nhs.uk or by calling 0117 4144767

What if there are any problems?

NHS-sponsored research such as this study is covered by NHS indemnity (the same indemnity that applies to any patient in the NHS). In the unlikely event that you feel you have been adversely affected by taking part in this study, you should contact the research team as soon as possible. 

Should you wish to complain about any aspect of the way you have been approached or treated during the study, the normal NHS complaints mechanisms are available to you.

Please visit www.nbt.nhs.uk/patients-carers/feedback for further information about how to make a complaint or contact the North Bristol NHS Trust Hospital Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS): Telephone 0117 414 4569. PALS can also provide confidential advice and support to patients, families, and their carers.

Who should I contact if I have any questions?

The study is being led by Dr Joanna Crofts at Southmead Hospital (North Bristol NHS Trust). If you have any questions about the study please contact Dr Joanna Crofts, Consultant Obstetrician, Southmead Hospital either by:

The Study Email address: TTT@nbt.nhs.uk

Telephone: 01174146764  - between 9 am to 4pm.

 

 

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About the Time-to-Transition Study

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Time to Transition Caesarean Birth: A new study is taking place to determine if a Time-to-Transition caesarean birth improves the health of new born babies.

What is this feasibility study about? And why are we doing it?

Background: 

In the womb, a baby’s lungs are filled with fluid, which helps them develop. During labour and birth, most of this fluid goes away, and the baby adapts to breathing air.

When babies are born quickly by caesarean, they may not have enough time to clear the fluid, so the lungs remain “wet”, making it harder to breathe. They breathe faster and shallower, a condition called Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN), and often need antibiotics, breathing support, and a stay in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Reducing TTN could reduce the need for this extra care.

This study will assess a new ‘Time-to-Transition Caesarean Birth’. 

Rather than being born rapidly after opening the womb, the doctor will deliver the baby’s head, keeping the body inside the womb until the baby starts to cry (for a maximum of 2 minutes). This extra time may help the baby transition to breathing air and reduce the risk of TTN.

As with any caesarean, the mother and baby will be closely monitored. If there are any concerns the baby will be immediately delivered. Everything else about the birth and recovery remain unchanged.

How will the research be carried out?

Methods: 

We will recruit 34 women to have a “Time-to-Transition Caesarean Birth”.

Women can take part if they are:

  • pregnant with one baby
  • planning a Caesarean birth
  • and if baby’s position is “head-down”

We will:

  • video the births, to learn from them.
  • collect information about mother and baby from their medical records
  • ask the views of mothers, birth partners, and clinicians

Future Direction

If this study demonstrates that it’s feasible and is acceptable, we will undertake a large-scale study comparing newborn outcomes after Time-to-Transition” and standardcaesarean births.

Project Details:

Chief Investigator: Dr Joanna Crofts, Consultant Obstetrician

Planned End Date: July 2024

Local Ref: 5238 

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Dementia Research Case study

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More than 55 million people have dementia worldwide with nearly 10 million new cases every year.

Researchers have learned that changes in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease start as many as 20 years before they notice symptoms like memory problems.

Amyloid is a protein that builds up in the brains of people who have AD. This build-up of amyloid protein in the brain is called “amyloid plaque” and may lead to impairment in memory and thinking. Research studies suggest that people with normal memory performance who have elevated levels of brain amyloid are at increased risk for memory problems, but not every person with amyloid build up will develop memory problems or AD dementia.

At NBT we are one of 100 sites world-wide who are asking volunteers between the age of 55 to 80 years of age to take part in the AHEAD A-45 study, to see if a study treatment with BAN2401 (also known as lecanemab)  can help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

The Bristol Brain Centre is one of the only brain health clinical services in the country. It has a strong research ethic offering research opportunities to people with and without dementia.

The research focuses on early diagnosis of dementia, understanding how memory is stored in the brain and how this can be enhanced through clinical trials.

We were privileged to interview Rob, who is taking part in the study and shares with us his experiences and hopes for the future.

 

Video Script

I'm Rob and I'm a retired enjoying my time in retirement so it's given me the chance to do all sorts of new things and get involved in activities I love walking I celebrated my retirement by walking a thousand miles around the coast of Wales with a tent on my back and just to prove that I was fit and I have done various long distance paths in the in the country.

So to take part in the study you you've got to have a degree of Alzheimer's dementia and which indeed they found,  and to take part you've got to be prepared for that discovery to be made and take it from there I believe,  that I ought to be doing everything  I can to help any research into dementia as something that's important to me.

The actual assessment process encompasses various tests and things, that obviously  makes you cause you to wonder what they're going to discover about you.  But, in fact I wasn't  too worried about that or concerned. Everybody was extremely caring and at every stage everything that they were doing was explained clearly and the reassurance at every level was good.  As I have said before at any stage I  was encouraged to withdraw if I had the slightest concern about doing something I wasn't comfortable doing.

Having been accepted onto the trial it was a moment of excitement for me. I was very pleased to do it and pleased that I've been accepted.

I think the major thing about once you are accepted and being able to be accepted is that you've got to be prepared to commit time. It's a four-year study and you are required to go to the brain Centre in Southmead for once a month for several hours and that for me was my major consideration rather than any consideration about my own health.

I attend the Bristol Brain Centre every month for a few hours and I receive an infusion of the drug or a placebo I don't know which. I also have regular cognitive tests health checks and a MRI brain scan every three months.

To not know whether you're having the actual drug or the placebo is rather strange to begin with but you get you get used to the Cloak and Dagger bits of the actual liquid being covered in a black bag so that nobody knows what's happening it's all quite exciting really.

It's made clear at the beginning of the trial that you will never know and you have to accept that as part of the condition of taking part. To anyone thinking of taking part in this study and not necessarily this one, just be open about it I think I'd recommend anybody to put themselves forward for assessment.

You lose nothing by being assessed you perhaps gain something by finding something out about yourself as long as you're prepared for that to happen.

The big decision about whether to take part in the trial comes after the assessment, so, yes you could consider it. I would encourage you to do so.

I hope my participation and those of the other people taking part in the trial across the world that at least the quality of life for people who suffer in dementia can be improved. Ends

Take Part in Research

Patient & Doctor viewing an x-ray

Become one of the thousands of people taking part in research every day within the NHS.

About Research & Development

NBT Researcher

Find out more about our research and how we're working to improve patient care.

Contact Research

Research & Development
North Bristol NHS Trust
Level 3, Learning & Research building
Southmead Hospital
Westbury-on-Trym
Bristol, BS10 5NB

Telephone: 0117 4149330
Email: research@nbt.nhs.uk

Dementia
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AAC Assessment (Training for Local Paediatric and Local Adult Learning Disability Teams)

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AAC Assessment (Training for Local Paediatric and Local Adult Learning Disability Teams)

We are pleased to be able to offer this free online training course via Microsoft Teams.  

The course is a full day and consists of both theory and practical exercises outlining models, tools and access considerations for assessing children and adults with learning difficulties. 

We will ask those attending to bring a case study with them to share and relate their learning to. A template for case studies will be sent out to attendees a week before the course date. There will be opportunities to ask any specific questions you have and learn more about the service AAC WEST offers.

Available dates:

Tuesday 15th October 2024 - Book here with Eventbrite

Phlebotomy

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The Pathology Phlebotomy Team based in the Brunel building at Southmead Hospital Bristol managed by Anna Dacey Phlebotomy Manager (mobile 07725605670). She is responsible for the team and the services they provide.

A phlebotomy service is available to all wards (except Maternity and ITU):

  • Monday to Friday, 7:00am and 2.00pm
  • Saturday and Sunday a reduced service is provided between 7.30am and 11.30am
  • Bank Holiday a reduced service is provided between 7.30am and 11.30am

Please note that there is no arrangement in place for urgent “on demand” phlebotomy.

We carry out all phlebotomy requests including cross matching and group and holds.

All ICE requests must be on the system by 6.30am on the day required, or they will automatically go onto the next days round

The phlebotomists cannot accept paper requests (except transfusion requests where paper is required), all requests must be put on ICE.

On weekends and bank holidays there are limited numbers of Phlebotomists working and we would ask that you would try to keep the number of requests down to a minimum.

Dynamic function tests and samples requiring collection at a specific time should be collected by the medical staff. 

Patients can be bled for certain specialised or labile tests (by prior agreement) at agreed times.

Information for patients is available on the following area of our website Having a blood sample taken | North Bristol NHS Trust (nbt.nhs.uk).

Training

The phlebotomy team has qualified trainers within the Brunel building at Southmead Hospital who regularly provide training in venepuncture to clinical staff, following their attendance at the venepuncture study day.

For North Bristol NHS Trust staff there is no charge for this service. Trainees will be accommodated as soon as possible, but this is dependent on staffing levels and a trainer availability.

Please contact the phlebotomy manager if you wish to undertake training in venepuncture with the phlebotomy team.

Contact Phlebotomy

Any queries regarding the phlebotomy service should be directed to:

Anna Dacey
Phlebotomy Manager
Telephone: 07725605670 or 0117 4143204

Lorraine Mallinson
Lead phlebotomist
Telephone: 0117 4143203

Test Information

Sample vials for testing

Includes details of sample types, volumes, special precautions, turnaround times & reference ranges.

Phlebotomy

Colorectal Current Research

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Colorectal Current Research

The Colorectal Research team at North Bristol NHS Trust offer patients and people at risk of developing Colon cancer excellent patient-centred care and the opportunity to participate in research.

Delivering complex interventional and observational studies, the team is comprised of  a multidisciplinary clinical team, supported by our research nurses and a Research Administrator. 

Please speak to the person treating you to see if there is a research study that may be able to help you.

Current Studies:

EXTEND

Bacteria live in the intestine to help digest food. If the intestine is damaged by an operation, injury or a disease such as cancer, bacteria can leak into the space surrounding the intestine (called the abdominal cavity) and cause a serious “intra-abdominal infection.” The usual treatment for this is a course of antibiotics (usually for 7 – 18days) and sometimes surgery too. But unfortunately, these infections are complicated and the treatment doesn’t always work. In 50% of patients the infection will return, or they will develop a new one further down the line. This is called “treatment failure” and requires another course of antibiotics, and possibly more surgery.

However, current research suggests that a longer course of antibiotics may benefit these patients by preventing treatment failure and further hospital admissions. So, the EXTEND trial will be comparing an extended course of antibiotics (28 days) against the normal duration of antibiotics (7 – 18 days). Each participant will be allocated by chance into one of these two groups and will be closely monitored for the next 6 months to see if the extended course of antibiotics offers a benefit to patients by reducing the rate of treatment failure.

Principal Investigator: Anne Pullybank

Planned End Date: 30/06/2025

Local Ref (R&D no): 5187

MELMART-II

The study aims to further medical knowledge and may improve future treatment of melanoma. The study will investigate how much skin should be removed from around the melanoma during wider excision surgery. Currently, doctors do not know how much skin to remove from around a melanoma to reduce the chances of it coming back. Guidelines in different countries vary in their recommendations on this. This study will investigate if reducing the excision margin to 1cm is as good at reducing the risk of melanoma returning as a 2cm excision margin.

 

Principal Investigator: Mr Ewan Wilson

Planned End Date: 01/07/2029

Recruitment to end 01/07/2025

Local Ref (R&D no): 4755

CVLP

The NHS Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad (CVLP) is looking to find people who may be able to take part in research trials for personalised vaccines to treat cancer. By supporting these trials, NHS England (NHSE) aims to speed up the development of personalised treatments for cancer patients. 

We are offering patients having their cancer removed or biopsied the opportunity to have their cancer DNA analysed for changes that could be targeted for personalised treatment. The CVLP is looking for people who may be suitable for cancer vaccine research trials. Vaccines are usually used to stop people from getting a disease, such as polio or measles. Researchers are now looking at using vaccines to stop cancer coming back after it has already been treated. Cancer vaccines stimulate the body’s immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells.  

Cancer vaccines are designed using genetic (DNA) changes found in a person’s cancer. They are individually made for each person. Cancer vaccines are being tested in research trials to understand how well they work. 

Project Details

PI: Ann Lyons

Planned End date: 31/12/2030

Local Ref: 5497

GRACE

Hospital acquired thrombosis describes blood clots that form in the legs and lungs after someone is treated in hospital. A clot in the leg can cause swelling, pain and other problems. If a clot in the leg breaks off and travels to the lungs, it may be life threatening. Having surgery increases the risk of developing blood clots. Blood clots in the legs and/or lungs are collectively known as venous thromboembolism (VTE).  

Doctors have known about the risks of patients developing blood clots after operations for many years and use two main ways to prevent this: 

  • Thinning the blood with injections / tablets, and 

  • Wearing elastic stockings to help stop blood sitting in the leg veins where it can clot. 

All participants who undergo surgery that puts them at higher risk of developing VTE require the blood thinners to be taken post discharge from hospital. Currently, some hospitals provide elastic stockings in addition to blood thinners but other hospital do not. There are no good quality research studies to show if the addition of elastic stockings reduces the risk of VTEs in patients taking blood thinners after discharge from hospital. This study is being done to find out if this is true.  

Project Details

PI: Anne Pullyblank

Planned End date: 31/07/2027

Local Ref: 5522

Gondomar

Perianal fistulising Crohn’s disease affects around one third of patients with Crohn’s disease during their course.  It is one of the most debilitating complications in Crohn’s disease.  Treatment methods are still evolving and approaches involving a combination of medical treatments and a number of surgical techniques are proposed.  However, the efficacy of these approaches to achieve clinically relevant outcomes is uncertain.  The majority of the recommendations are based upon expert opinion and there is relatively little scientific evidence to guide Crohn’s Disease perianal fistula (CD-pAF) management.

Our research is vital to understand the causes and consequences of problems in Crohn’s disease and improve the lives of those affected.  We aim to convert our research findings into clear improvements in health and services for people with Crohn’s disease with perianal fistula.  You could help by taking part in research that is relevant to you.  This might be to do with symptoms that you have now, or that you’ve had in the past, or even symptoms that you have never had (for comparison to other people who have).

Project Details

PI: Caroline Burt

Planned End date: 31/12/2030

Local Ref: 5495

Take Part in Research

Patient & Doctor viewing an x-ray

Become one of the thousands of people taking part in research every day within the NHS.

About Research & Development

NBT Researcher

Find out more about our research and how we're working to improve patient care.

Contact Research

Research & Development
North Bristol NHS Trust
Level 3, Learning & Research building
Southmead Hospital
Westbury-on-Trym
Bristol, BS10 5NB

Telephone: 0117 4149330
Email: research@nbt.nhs.uk

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Smoking in Pregnancy

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Smoking during pregnancy is linked to numerous health complications for both mother and baby.

There are thousands of harmful chemicals in cigarettes that enter the bloodstream and are passed to the developing baby.

Stopping smoking by 15-weeks reduces your chance of having a small baby or delivering prematurely.

Stopping smoking at any point in pregnancy immediately benefits you and your and baby. 

Benefits of stopping smoking

Quitting smoking at any time during pregnancy is the best thing you can do to improve your baby’s health, growth and development. It is also the single most important thing you can do to improve your long-term health. Some of the benefits include:

  • Fewer complications during and after pregnancy
  • Reduced risk of miscarriage
  • Reduced risk of stillbirth
  • Reduced risk of premature birth – this can cause additional breathing, feeding and health complications
  • Reduced risk of sudden infant death (also known as cot death)
  • The baby is more likely to be born a healthy weight – this means it is better-equipped to cope with labour and is less prone to infections in the first few months

What support can we offer?

We know that stopping smoking is difficult, so we offer dedicated support for at least 12 weeks.

Our friendly Treating Tobacco Dependency (TTD) advisors can help to identify strategies and tools to manage nicotine cravings. There are various nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) which are safe to take while pregnant – the hospital can supply these for free.

The combination of counselling and NRT is 3 times more likely to result in a successful quit attempt.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

  • Carbon monoxide is an odourless, colourless, poisonous gas that can have a devastating effect on pregnancy. When it is breathed in, it enters the bloodstream and passes to the baby through the placenta.
  • High levels of CO in the body during pregnancy prevent the baby from receiving the oxygen it needs to develop. This can cause miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth. It also increases the risk of the child developing certain complications later in life.
  • The most common cause of high CO levels is cigarettes – this can be through smoking or breathing in second-hand smoke from someone else at home.
  • Other reasons for a high CO reading can include incorrectly installed or faulty cookers or boilers, faulty car exhausts, blocked chimneys or high levels of pollution. Barbeques and wood-burning stoves can also raise CO levels.
  • We check carbon monoxide levels at every appointment using a CO monitor. This helps us to provide the right advice and support.
  • We can help identify the cause of high CO levels and offer support to reduce the resulting risks.

Get in touch

Our Treating Tobacco Dependency advisors are happy to talk, even if you have not yet decided whether you would like to stop smoking. Please get in touch to find out more.

Email: TTDMaternity@NBT.nhs.uk

Text ‘Quit’ to 07407 817 470

Better Health

Check out more information on the Better Health website.

Useful resources

NHS Inform: Calculate My Savings

NHS Stop Smoking Website

Tommy’s - 7 Common Myths about Smoking

Tommy’s - 10 Great Reasons to Quit Smoking

App

NHS Quit Smoking App

A 28 day programme that puts practical support, encouragement, and tailored clinical advice in the palm of your hand. Available from the App Store or Google Play.

How to contact us

Brunel building
Southmead Hospital
Westbury-on-Trym
Bristol
BS10 5NB

07407 817 470

If you or the individual you are caring for need support reading this information please ask a member of staff for advice.

If you’re an overseas visitor, you may need to pay for your treatment or you could face fraud or bribery
charges, so please contact the overseas office:

Information Following Bariatric Surgery

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Introduction

This information aims to increase your knowledge before and after your bariatric surgery. If there is anything you are unsure about, please ask.

Discharge from hospital

You are usually discharged by 10am the next day following your operation (except for gastric band patients who are discharged the same day). The doctor and specialist nurse will see you before discharge to ensure that you are medically fit to go home.

When you leave hospital

Complications should not happen very often, but it is important that you know what to look out for. During the first two weeks after surgery, if you are worried about any of the following, please phone the telephone numbers at the bottom of the page. If you cannot contact anyone you will need to contact your GP, NHS 111 or return to Southmead Hospital.

Abdominal pain

It is not unusual to have abdominal discomfort after having bariatric surgery. Worsening severe pain that lasts for several hours may indicate a leakage of fluid from the areas where the bowel and stomach has been joined together. This is a serious complication, which fortunately happens rarely. Should this occur, it may be accompanied by a fever.

If you experience worsening severe pain that lasts for several hours, you should contact the bariatric team immediately or come straight to Southmead Hospital A & E department.

Vomiting

Occasionally after surgery you can experience some nausea which is not unusual. You will be sent home with anti-sickness medication.

If you have persistent nausea and vomiting the bariatric team should be contacted immediately.

Wounds

There are normally 5-6 laparoscopic wound sites (the areas on your body where the laparoscope was used) that will have dissolvable stitches and glue over the top. You can continue to shower as usual but avoid baths until wounds are fully healed.

It is not unusual for your wounds to be slightly red and tender during the first 1-2 weeks.

You may also notice some bruising, but please let us know or contact GP if your wound:

  • Becomes more red, swollen, or painful.
  • Starts to discharge fluid/pus.
  • Your wound edges separate.

This may indicate an infection, please contact your GP or Practice Nurse.

Bowels

In the initial stages following surgery its quite common to have constipation or diarrhoea, due to eating less. If you have no bowel action for 3 days or more, ask your GP to prescribe you a laxative (Sugar Free Liquid Sodium Docusate), but avoid Fybogel or Movicol.

DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)

If you are having a Gastric Bypass, Sleeve or Band insertion, you will be going home self-administering Enoxaparin and wearing TED stockings for 2 weeks to prevent DVT.

However, a friend or family member can administer the Enoxaparin if preferred.

Enoxaparin contains product derived from pigs. If you have any ethical objections to the use of animal products, please discuss this with the team before using Enoxaparin.

Work

Many people can return to work within 4-6 weeks following their surgery, but your GP can extend this if required and a sick note will be given upon discharge if required.

Driving

It is advised that you do not drive until you are confident that you can drive safely. In general, this will be 2-4 weeks after surgery. It is important that any pain has resolved sufficiently to enable you to perform an emergency stop, check your blindspot and drive safely. You should contact your insurance company to check their terms.

Hobbies and activities

In general, it is advised that you take up your hobbies and activities as soon as possible again after surgery. It enables you to maintain your activity and will benefit your recovery.

We would not advise restricting your hobbies unless they cause significant pain or involve heavy lifting within the first 6 weeks after surgery.

We would also advise not to go swimming until the wounds have completely healed.

Sexual activities

Feeling tired and weak after an operation naturally affects your sex drive. As you gradually start to feel well again and your energy levels return to normal, so should your sex drive. Sexual intercourse can be resumed as soon as you feel comfortable, about 2-4 weeks after surgery.

We would advise you not to get pregnant for 18 months to 2 years after the operation, to protect yourself and the baby from potential malnutrition.

Medications

Your medications would have been discussed before your operation with the pharmacist and a plan created. You will be given painkillers and other medication to take home, including Lansoprazole which helps prevent acid reflux.

All medications need to be crushed or in liquid form (apart from the multivitamins/Calcium which are chewable).

Supplements

You need to take vitamins and minerals for life after your bariatric surgery.

If you have had a gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy you will also need vitamin B12 injections every 3 months.

  • Iron: Liquid Iron (Ferrous fumarate sugar free syrup 140mg/5ml), once daily at lunchtime. To improve absorption, please do not take it the same time as the calcium. Once you are back onto solid foods (normally by 4-6 weeks after surgery) you can switch to a tablet form of iron – please speak to your GP about this.
  • Calcium and Vitamin D: Adcal D3 which is one tablet to be chewed twice a day (morning and evening).
  • A-Z Multivitamin and Mineral: You will need to buy chewable A-Z multivitamins and take one dose two times a day. Once you are back onto solid foods (normally by 4-6 weeks after surgery) you should switch to a tablet A-Z multivitamin with minerals as these are more complete than the chewable ones. Suitable ones are listed in your main/large bariatric leaflet.
  • Vitamin B12 Injections: You will need to arrange this at your GP practice. You will require a 1mg, intramuscular injection 3 months after your operation, then every 3 months for the rest of your life.

All medication can be taken in tablet form 4-6 weeks after the operation.

Contact details

Bariatric Co-ordinators:

Bariatric Clinical Nurse Specialist: 0117 414 7557

If you or the individual you are caring for need support reading this information please ask a member of staff for advice.

If you’re an overseas visitor, you may need to pay for your treatment or you could face fraud or bribery charges, so please contact the overseas office:

Discharge from day surgery

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Discharge home

You will be given verbal information about wound care and pain relief, and there is written information further on in this leaflet.

Day surgery staff will inform the person collecting you when you are ready to go home. It is important that they are available to collect you and stay with you. We expect that you will go home the same day. However, if there are complications such as severe pain or sickness you may have to stay in hospital overnight.

If you do have any problems when you arrive home, contact your district nurse or your own GP or NHS 111 Service.

We advise for 24 hours you should not:

  • Drive your car or any other vehicle.
  • Cook or operate machinery.
  • Drink alcohol or take sleeping tablets.
  • Do not make important decisions or sign legal documents for 24 hours.
  • Take sole charge of children.

Wound care

  • Keep your wound clean and dry until your stitches have dissolved/are removed.
  • If you have had a local anaesthetic, take your own pain medication as necessary.
  • If you experience prolonged bleeding, severe pain or increased amount of swelling contact your GP or the NHS 111 service.

Painkillers

Good pain relief after your operation will boost your recovery. It will help you sleep, keep you active and reduce the chance of complications. You should not suffer from pain after your operation.

You must take your painkillers regularly for the first 48 hours after surgery, even if you have no pain. If your pain is severe and not improving with the painkillers we have provided, you must contact your GP or surgical team.

Your anaesthetist will make a pain relief plan for you and your Mediroom nurse or practitioner will explain it to you before you go home. Some of the medications will be provided and others you will need to purchase from a pharmacy, your local chemist or supermarket.

Paracetamol

This is a good painkiller for the type of surgery you have had.

We recommend you take 2 x 500mg tablets regularly 4 times a day for 1 or 2 days. Please check the label of the paracetamol you’ve bought and follow the instructions. If you have been given paracetamol prescribed by your anaesthetist before your operation, please remember it is perfectly safe to take 2 x 500mg tablets every 6 hours.

Remember not to take any other tablets containing paracetamol, such as co-dydramol or co-codamol.

You should take these tablets even if you have no pain, as they will keep the pain away. Paracetamol works in a unique way and will work with other painkillers.

We will write down when your next dose is due. 

Ibuprofen

This is an anti-inflammatory painkiller.

The dose is normally 1 x 400mg tablet 3 times a day, but check the label of the preparation you have. If you can take ibuprofen, it should be taken regularly with paracetamol. Do not take ibuprofen at the same time as other anti-inflammatories such as aspirin, Nurofen, Brufen, or naproxen.

Ibuprofen has few side effects:

  • It can sometimes cause indigestion, so they should be taken with food. If you develop indigestion or abdominal pain, stop taking them.
  • If they make you wheezy or breathless stop taking them.

If you are not sure if you can have them please read the label or ask your Mediroom nurse or practitioner.

Anti-inflammatory tablets can be taken at the same time as codeine phosphate and will improve your pain relief.

We will write down when your next dose is due. 

Codeine phosphate (30mg tablet)

Some patients will be given codeine to have on top of their paracetamol and/or ibuprofen. If you should already be taking these regularly you should continue to do so, otherwise you do not have to take codeine.

You do not have to take codeine regularly. It is a stronger painkiller which can be helpful if regular paracetamol and/or ibuprofen are not enough on their own to help with your pain.

Codeine may have side effects such as nausea, drowsiness, dizziness or constipation (having plenty of fluids and some fruit helps avoid constipation). If, however, the side effects are unpleasant, stop taking them and consult your GP or pharmacist.

1 or 2 codeine tablets can be taken up to 4 times a day for added pain relief. Do not exceed the prescribed dose.

We will write down when your next dose is due. 

Anti-sickness

Acupressure has been shown to work as well as anti-sickness medications, for treating and preventing nausea. You can do this at home, by pressing on the P6 point: 3 centimetres above the wrist crease in the middle of the palm side of your arm. A video describing this can be found on the following page Using pressure points to relieve nausea | North Bristol NHS Trust.

If you are at risk of feeling sick, you will be given some ondansetron (4mg) tablets. This is an anti-sickness tablet, which can be taken up to 3 times per day and used alongside acupressure. Take as directed: 1 x 4mg tablets every 8 hours. If the nausea persists, please contact us or your GP.

We will write down when your next dose is due. 

If you are already on long term painkillers, you may need to stop taking them while you are taking these tablets. Please check with your Mediroom nurse or practitioner before you leave the hospital.

Other information

If you have any specific questions about your surgery once you are discharged from the Medirooms, you can contact our hotline. This is available for 24 hours after you are discharged.

Mediroom hotline number: 0117 414 5689

After the 24 hours following your discharge, you should contact your GP or NHS 111 if you have any further concerns. In an emergency visit A&E or call 999.

Feedback

If you wish to give us feedback on your experiences as a day case patient please visit Friend & Family Test and Surveys | North Bristol NHS Trust

© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published June 2025. Review due June 2028. NBT002156

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Taking and Sending Pregnancy Loss and Live Patient Samples for Genetic Testing

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Information Sheet 2: Taking and Sending Pregnancy Loss and Live Patient Samples for Genetic Testing

Tel: 0117 414 6150
E-Mail: swglhprenatal@nbt.nhs.uk

Suitable samples:

Suitable samples for genetic testing of pregnancy loss are biopsies of skin, cord or placenta.  Samples may be refrigerated (4oC) overnight.  DO NOT freeze any samples.

NOTE: A sample of fresh placental tissue may be sent in addition to/instead of fetal tissue.

Container:

All samples should be put in a sterile container, such as a plastic universal containing tissue biopsy medium, if available, or sterile normal saline.  
Plastic universals containing skin biopsy medium are available, on request, from the laboratory.  If stored frozen (-20oC) the media has a shelf life of 3 months.  Media is likely to arrive defrosted, this is not an issue so please do not discard it.  Please re-freeze until day of use.  Please ensure tissue biopsy medium is completely defrosted prior to use and that the media is clear when held up to the light.  Non-sterile containers and those contaminated with formalin or formal saline are not suitable.  Please do not send pregnancy loss samples in CVS media, the skin biopsy media has additional reagents that will protect the pregnancy loss samples from a wider range of infections.
 

Transport:

Send by post or hospital transport to the address below, including an appropriately completed referral form which can be downloaded on the Bristol Genetics Laboratory (BGL) page.

Bristol Genetics Laboratory, Severn Pathology, Southmead Hospital, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, BS10 5NB

In the event of anticipated postal delay, (e.g. bank holidays) samples may be sent by courier, as long as arrival is within working hours.  Please inform the laboratory of the expected time of arrival. The majority of samples received by the laboratory within 3 days of being taken produce a result.

Skin biopsy from fetus/stillbirth

  • The biopsy is usually taken from the upper outer thigh within the area normally covered by the nappy
  • Rinse the limbs thoroughly with sterile normal saline
  • Using sterile instruments, cut an ellipse of skin 1-1.5cm in length (Fig. 1) to a depth which includes the full thickness of the skin and a small amount of underlying subcutaneous fat, and place in a sterile container of skin biopsy medium or sterile saline. 
  • For samples requiring fibroblast culture for storage or metabolic testing please send the sample in skin biopsy medium and as soon as possible after death to increase the likelihood of cell growth in culture

The ellipse should leave the fetus with minimal damage which can be easily repaired by clinicians or at post mortem (Fig. 2)

Fig 1 - An ellipse of skin taken at Post Mortem

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fig 1: An ellipse of skin taken at Post Mortem for genetic testing (please do not take smaller biopsies than the size shown.

Fig 2 - Site of biopsy after removal of sample

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fig 2: Site of biopsy after removal of sample sent for genetic testing.

Skin biopsy from live patient: 

  • The biopsy is usually taken from the inside of forearms, the upper thigh or (in babies) the iliac crest.  A local anaesthetic may be used if required.
  • Clean the skin surface with ether/alcohol and allow to dry
  • Hold the piece of skin in fine forceps, placed horizontally to skin surface so a hump of skin 5-10mm long, 1-2mm wide and 1-2mm high projects above the edge of the shafts.
  • Exert gentle pressure for 30 seconds, until the skin becomes pale and translucent.
  • Remove the protruding skin with a sterile scalpel.  Place in skin biopsy medium.
  • These samples should be sent by hospital transport or first class post as delays reduce the chance of culture success
  • Please use skin biopsy medium to increase the chance of culture success.

NOTE:  The biopsy should be deep enough to include at some point the whole thickness of the epidermis and adjacent connective tissue.

Fig 3 - A section of cord sent for genetic testing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fig. 3: A section of cord sent for genetic testing (approximate length 2cm, diameter 1cm)

 Cord biopsy from fetus/stillbirth: 

Cord samples are a good alternative to skin and can be taken without damaging the fetus.  Cord samples can be used for routine genetic testing, although DNA quantity may be low. If possible please send a cross section of the cord (Fig. 3) of at least 2cm length (longer if the cord is from a loss at an early gestation as it is the total amount of material available that is important).  Please send following the instructions outlined in the skin biopsy section.

Placental biopsy from fetus/stillbirth:

Fresh placental tissue is suitable for DNA extraction and testing, or cell culture instead of/in addition to fetal tissue where available (Fig’s 4 & 5).  Please send a sample of chorionic villi as shown in the image below.  Please do not send:


•    large ERPCs
•    Whole fetuses unless from a very early gestation (first trimester only) as we do not have the equipment or resources to handle them

Large ERPCs or whole fetuses from a later gestation will be returned unprocessed for an appropriate sample to be obtained and sent for testing.  If the resources to take an appropriate sample are not available to the referring department, we recommend contacting a pathology laboratory at the referring Hospital for a biopsy to be taken and forwarded to BGL.
 

Fig 4 - Whole placenta with cord attached

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fig. 4: Whole placenta with cord attached. Image shows placental villous biopsy being taken from beneath the fetal surface

Fig 5 - Placental biopsy taken for genetic testing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fig 5: Placental biopsy taken for genetic testing (please do not send smaller biopsies than the one illustrated).

Cultured cell storage and DNA extraction:

DNA extraction and storage is carried out for all samples of an appropriate size.  Cultured cell storage is carried out if specifically requested, for samples from live patients and sudden infant death samples.  Informed consent must be obtained from patient/parents for storage of DNA or cultured cells. 

Please note that the responsibility for gaining informed consent for testing and/or storage of material lies with the referring clinician. Upon receipt of samples the laboratory assumes that this consent has been obtained.

Disposal of samples

Excess skin and foetal tissue will be sent for witnessed disposal.  Placenta, cord and membrane will be sent for routine clinical disposal.

Bristol Genetics Laboratory | Owner: Helena Hennessey | Approver: Catherine Delmege
Title: Information 2 - Procedure for taking solid tissue specimens.
Active Date Of This Version: 14/10/20223 | Version 21