TIA is a medical emergency - anyone suffering a suspected TIA should see a doctor immediately.

You may be referred to the TIA clinic because you had symptoms suggesting you’ve had a transient ischaemic attack (TIA), or a minor stroke. A TIA is sometimes called a mini stroke.

Why is an urgent appointment with a stroke specialist so important?

About one in ten people who have a TIA develop a stroke within the next week, but we can greatly reduce this with the right treatment.

The right medication can reduce your chance of a stroke, as can changes to your diet and exercise. Rarely an operation may be useful. We will discuss all this when you see us in clinic.

What happens now?

The clinician who initially diagnosed you may give you medication to take. You need to take this each day until you are seen in our clinic. They will also make a referral to the TIA Service.

TIA clinics run daily, including weekends. Every day, the stroke specialist on duty will review all new referrals. If we decide that we need to see you urgently over the weekend or at a bank holiday, the co-ordinator of the TIA Service will phone you on the day tell you what time to come to the unit.

Otherwise, the TIA co-ordinator will be in touch on the next working day to arrange an appointment for you to come in. In some cases, the appointment will be a telephone consultation only. The appointment will usually be on the same day. If you have not heard from us within two working days, please ring the TIA co-ordinator on 0117 342 4800.

Where are the TIA clinics?

Across the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) region, TIA clinics are operated centrally by University Hospitals Bristol and Weston (UHBW) NHS Trust.

There are clinics at Bristol Royal Infirmary and Weston General Hospital and weekend clinics at Southmead Hospital. If you are told to attend a TIA clinic, the TIA co-ordinator will tell you which clinic to attend.

Bristol Royal Infirmary

On week days days, the TIA clinic co-ordinator will tell you where you need to go. This will generally be the TIA Outpatient clinic A403 (Zone A, Level 4). Sometimes they will ask you to go straight to the radiology department to have a brain scan (Location A217, Zone A, Level 2) or to the vascular sciences department for a carotid doppler scan (Location A225, Zone A, Level 2).

Weston General Hospital

On week days, the TIA clinic co-ordinator will tell you where you need to go. This will generally be the TIA Outpatient Clinic within The Main Outpatients area of Weston General Hospital. The Main Outpatients is located at the front of the hospital.

Southmead Hospital

At weekends, clinics will be delivered at Southmead Hospital by the stroke/neurology service (Location Gate 12).

What can I expect to happen at my appointment?

A stroke specialist clinician will ask you to tell them about the symptoms, your past medical history, and what medicines you are currently taking. This will be followed by a physical examination. The clinician will discuss your diagnosis with you. You may be given new medications or a prescription. If you currently pay for your prescriptions, please ensure that you have a means of payment with you

What may we need to do? (Each case is different – you may not need all these investigations)

• • A blood pressure check
  • A heart recording (ECG)
  • A scan of the arteries in your neck
  • A brain scan
  • A blood test
  • A consultation with a stroke specialist - this may be a consultant, registrar or an advanced nurse practitioner for stroke

You can expect to be at the clinic for at least 3-4 hours and the appointment may take most of the day

What do I need to bring?

Please bring a list of all the prescribed tablets you take – this is very important. If there are other tablets you buy over the counter, please tell us about these. Please also bring any medications you will require throughout the day. If possible, it will be helpful for the person who witnessed you having your symptoms to come to the appointment as well.

There are cafes and shops all locations where you can purchase refreshments. Alternatively, you may want to bring your own provisions.

What about driving?

It is not safe or legal for you to drive until you have been seen in clinic. We will discuss any possible further driving restrictions related to your diagnosis with you in the clinic.

What if I have further symptoms before the specialist appointment?

If you think you are having a stroke, don’t wait – call 999!

What do I need to do?

Please bear these points in mind: 

• • DO NOT DRIVE until you are assessed at the clinic
  • it would be helpful if anyone who witnessed your symptoms could accompany you to the appointment
  • bring any medications that you are taking, or your repeat prescription order form
  • eat and drink as normal
  • your appointment may take several hours.
  • If you have any recurrence of symptoms before your clinic appointment and they resolve within 5 minutes please call NHS 111, if they do not resolve within 5 minutes call 999.

With ongoing support from Southmead Hospital Charity, the DISCOVER study aims to collect blood samples and other routinely collected microbiological samples as well as medical information from patients with suspected coronavirus.

These blood samples will be analysed for both routine and new tests. Patients will be followed up with after one month to see how coronavirus affected them, and to see how useful the blood tests were at predicting their condition.

Biological samples will also be stored (anonymously) for future research on how COVID-19 makes people ill. In the future, this information could help doctors decide which tests are useful in managing coronavirus.

Dr David Arnold, a Respiratory Doctor at NBT, shares more about the importance of the DISCOVER study:

Video Transcript

Study Results:

Patient outcomes after hospitalisation with COVID-19 and implications for follow-up; results from a prospective UK cohort

Are vaccines safe in patients with Long COVID? A prospective observational study?

Thank you to all of our research teams who are making such a different to people’s lives, and also to Southmead Hospital Charity which is raising much-needed funds for COVID-19 research.

 

Point of care testing (POCT), also known as extra-laboratory testing or Near Patient Testing (NPT), refers to any analytical test performed for or by a patient outside the conventional laboratory setting.

The Point of Care Testing Team provides support for many POCT applications to North Bristol NHS Trust.

The service encompasses:

• Advice on the selection and procurement of POCT equipment.
• Maintenance and servicing of blood gas analysers across the Trust.
• Replacement and servicing of blood glucose/ketone meters.
• Supply of consumables for blood glucose meters including quality control solutions, batteries and user manuals.
• Supply of Pregnancy testing kits (via Pharmacy).
• Training in blood gas analysis, blood glucose analysis, capillary blood collection, urinalysis, haemoglobin testing and pregnancy testing.
• Training materials for urinalysis and pregnancy testing.
• External Quality Assurance schemes for blood glucose and some other POCT tests.
• Support for Haematology analysers situated in Out Patients departments and Operating Theatres.
• Covid-19 testing using Abbott ID Now devices.

Please also see the results of our latest POCT User Survey.

 

 

Updated 26/10/2021

Currently, there is extremely limited information regarding the risks posed by SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for COVID-19 to patients with cancer.

This study aims to understand the presentation, management and outcomes of cancer patients with COVID19. The influence of cancer type and treatment will be explored as well as comparing cancer patients with non-cancer patients.

This study will provide valuable information that would educate as well as help inform practice for future possible outbreaks. The information may also inform the development of guidelines with regard to the care and management of cancer patients with viruses such as COVID19 and similar infectious diseases.

Cancer is immunosuppressive, the nature of the immunosuppression seems to be influenced by the microbiota, in addition pulmonary infections are also influenced by the host microbiota, therefore it is important to understand this impact in cancer patients. Analysis of samples from cancer patients with COVID19 offer the opportunity to learn more of these interactions.

The purpose of CCP-CANCER UK study is to obtain additional data from patients with cancer who were/are recruited into the Principal CCP-UK study which is the key national protocol for characterising COVID19 in the UK population. This study is designed to supplement, not replace, the Principal CCP-UK protocol.

This study will be open to research sites who are currently participating in the Principal CCP-UK study.

The CCP-Cancer UK study will run for two years. An additional specific cancer data set will be collected from participant's existing medical records. This cancer specific information when combined with the rich data set related to the COVID-19 episode (derived from CCP-UK) will enable a full understanding of COVID-19 in patients with cancer as well as enable a comparison with non-cancer patients.

The Urology Research Team at NBT is a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, academics and members of the public working across both functional urology and oncology.

Our research is supported by the Department of Health and the Bristol Urological Institute. We conduct research across a variety of settings, including laboratory based work and clinical work.

We work on a range of commercial and non-commercial, qualitative and quantitative research and collaborate with colleagues locally, nationally and internationally in order to improve outcomes for patients suffering from various urological conditions, including but not limited to:

• Cancers such as prostate, bladder, kidney, penile and testicular
• Male and female incontinence
• Kidney disease including stone problems
• Uretic disease
• Benign prostate disease

We have close links with the University of Bristol and University of the West of England (UWE). We also work with patient groups such as Prospect.

Meet the team:

Becky Cousins - Lead Research Nurse

Marta Cobos-Arrivabene - Research Nurse

Victoria Garner - Research Nurse

Liz Goff - Research Administrator

Malnutrition is a serious condition that happens when your diet does not contain the right amount of nutrients. Signs of malnutrition include weight loss, increased tiredness and poor wound healing.

If you or someone you know is at risk of malnutrition it is important to recognise and treat early.

Calculate the risk of malnutrition for you or someone you know.

There are many causes of malnutrition including loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing and changes to taste and smell. If left untreated, malnutrition can cause loss of muscle strength, increased risk of infection and low mood.

If you are in the community and are worried that you or someone you know is at risk of malnutrition, take a look at the following resources. If weight loss continues or you have already lost a lot of weight without meaning to, please speak with your GP and they may refer you to a community dietitian.

For ways to increase energy and protein intake at home, click on the below links:

• High Protein Foods
• The importance of protein
• Increasing Energy and Protein intake
• Malnutrition: Food Fact Sheet

For ways to increase variety in your diet, click on the below links:

• Fruit and vegetables – how to get five-a-day
• Information on Iron
• Information on Vitamin D
• Information on Fibre
• Do I need supplements?
• Eat Well, Spend Less

If you or someone you know is in hospital take a look at the following resources.

For ways to increase energy and protein intake in hospital:

• The importance of eating well in hospital

Additional information

For information on nutrition and COVID 19: Malnutrition Pathway COVID-19 Leaflets

For information on malnutrition and specific conditions: www.malnutritionpathway.co.uk/specific-resources 

For information on diet and specific conditions:

 www.bda.uk.com/food-health/food-facts.html

www.bda.uk.com/resource/pressure-ulcers-pressure-sores-diet.html

 

Information for Patients

Faecal Immunochemical Test (qFIT) for Occult Blood in Faecal Samples

What is being tested?

The faecal immunochemical test (qFIT) checks for blood in your faeces. Normally, only a very small amount of blood is lost in the stomach or intestines. This is less than you can see in your faeces and is not enough to be detected with a FIT test.

A positive FIT test will tell your doctor that you have bleeding occurring somewhere in your gastrointestinal tract. This blood loss could be due to ulcers, bulges, polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, haemorrhoids (piles), swallowed blood from bleeding gums or nosebleeds, or it could be due to early bowel cancer. Anything that sticks out into the intestine, like a polyp or tumour, and is rubbed against by the faeces as it passes through, has the potential to bleed now and again. Often this small amount of blood is the first, and sometimes the only, symptom of early bowel cancer.

Which patients are eligible for FIT?

The main use for the FIT test is as to find early bowel cancer. Blood in the stool may be the only symptom of early cancer. If the cancer is detected before it spreads to other areas, there is a greater chance it will be cured. The signs and symptoms of bowel cancer are not always easy to see. In some patients, with an abdominal or rectal mass, rectal bleeding, anal ulceration or if they are age >60 y with iron deficiency anaemia. Your GP will request you are seen by the hospital urgently as a “two week wait patient” and you will not be offered a FIT test. In other patients where the signs and symptoms are less clear your GP may think you could have bowel cancer but wants to be more certain that this is the case. In these circumstances a FIT test will help them decide.

You also need to meet some other criteria to be offered the test; these criteria have been developed by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and local cancer services after reviewing all the evidence. 

• •    Weight loss, abdominal pain, change in bowel habit (age >40 years)
  •    Iron deficiency anaemia (age <60 years) or a non-iron deficiency anaemia (age >60 years)
  •    Change in bowel habit or other symptoms that could be caused by colorectal cancer but are low risk (age >18 years)

How do you get tested?

Your GP will give you a pack containing all the information and equipment you need to collect your faecal sample and send it directly to the laboratory or return it to the GP practice to forward to the laboratory

 

Inside the pack you will find the 
•    Collection device
•    Request form (for return to GP pack this will be generated by the practice)
•    Instruction sheet
•    Return envelope

 

Your GP should have completed the request form, if this has not been done then please ask the practice to do this for you.

 

Read the instructions carefully

 

Click here to see a full sized version of the instructions:

 

When you have collected your sample

 

 

 

 

 

How soon can I expect the results?

GP’s will receive the results of the analysis within 7 working days from the date the test is sent to the laboratory.  Your GP may then need to decide what is the next best step for you but if you have not heard within 10-14 days please contact the practice.

What do the results mean?

If the Faecal occult blood test is negative:  If your result is negative (Faecal occult blood (FIT) <10 μg Hb/g faeces) it is very unlikely you have bowel cancer. You therefore do not need referral for suspected bowel cancer.  If your GP is concerned that worrying symptoms persist they may do further tests or refer you for specialist advice.  This will be done in line with local arrangements.

If the Faecal occult blood test is positive:  If your result is positive (Faecal occult blood (FIT) >10 μg Hb/g faeces), this does not necessarily 'prove' that you have cancer. There are other possible causes of bleeding and other follow-up procedures will need to be done to find the source of the bleeding.  Your GP is likely to refer you for further investigations and this may be done urgently
 

Where can I access further information and support?

•    For more information about FIT the following website might be of interest: www.faecal-immunochemical-test.co.uk/
•    For more general information about laboratory tests: https://labtestsonline.org.uk/

 

 

To contact the laboratory who are going to process your sample?

Please email the laboratory on nbn-tr.nbtfit@nhs.net

 

Page updated 28/09/21

This page is for patients with an immunodeficiency. It has information about when to contact us and how to get further information about living with an immunodeficiency. 

General information

ID UK (Immunodeficiency UK) is a patient organisation that has produced useful information for patients with primary and secondary immunodeficiency: Immunodeficiency UK | Home 

If you are on immunoglobulin replacement or if your consultant has recommended this then you can find more information about this treatment here: Use of immunoglobulin (IgG) in antibody deficiency | North Bristol NHS Trust (nbt.nhs.uk)

COVID-19

We advise our patients to follow government guidelines in terms of protecting themselves from COVID-19. These are updated regularly and can be found here: COVID-19: guidance and support - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

ID UK also produces expert guidance for patients with immunodeficiency in relation to COVID-19: COVID-19 - Immunodeficiency UK

COVID-19 vaccines

Useful information with regards to COVID-19 vaccines can be found on the government website and the ID UK website. Household contacts of people who have weakened immune systems are also eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations.  

Further support and information

If you are under the care of the Immunology team for an immunodeficiency and are admitted to hospital for an infection:

• Let us know by phoning 0117 414 3456.
• Tell the team looking after you that you have an immunodeficiency.

You should also let us know if:

• You have regular immunoglobulin infusions and develop an infection that is being treated in hospital.

© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published April 2024. Review due April 2027. NBT003618.

The Breast Care Research Team

Our team is a dedicated group of nurses, administrators, and surgeons, conducting Breast Care studies.

Our research is supported by the Department of Health with our research projects encompassing a wide breadth of both laboratory-based and clinical work, to improve patient health, wellbeing and care.

We work on a range of commercial and non-commercial, qualitative and quantitative projects and collaborate with colleagues locally, nationally and internationally in order to improve outcomes for patients suffering from various conditions. 

Our work benefits patients not only here in the NHS, but also increases care standards globally.

The team has a wealth of experience conducting research studies and trials, and improving training, guidelines, and patient outcomes.

Our staff work in close collaboration with a number of partners, primarily linked with the University of Bristol and University of the West of England (UWE) as well as a number of other NHS Trusts.

We also work closely with Bristol’s Haematology and Oncology Centre (BHOC) and operate a shared care research pathway between us so patients can receive the highest standard of care whilst taking part in a research study

Meet the Team:

Sasirekha Govindarajulu

Anjum Mahatma

Alexandra Valencia

Michelle Mullan

Emily Allam

Linda Bourton

Shinu Jackson

Alison Markham

Alexander Rose

We value Public Involvement to help us to improve the care we provide

Our team does not just involve patients as Research/Trial participants. We are also committed to involving the public in every stage of a research project’s journey. From the development of an idea, through to the sharing of a project’s findings, we feel strongly that consistent involvement and engagement with our public partners in our research will result in high quality projects that are focussed on patients, and with outcomes that are important to them. We want to address real world healthcare challenges and improve care, but we can only do this by understanding and listening to a wide range of opinions and by ensuring we have a culture that encourages patient driven ideas.

We are always keen to expand our Public Involvement Group and have new members join us!

Who is this opportunity for?

Patients with experience of Obstetrics/Gynaecology/Maternity services or members of the public with an interest in improving Women & Children’s Health and Care through research. We also have project-specific groups whose members may have a particular condition or experience – please contact us and we can keep you up to date with any relevant projects.

How you can be involved.

The Research Unit will host face-to-face meetings, video chats or can discuss projects via phone or email, if you prefer. We like to encourage discussions with researchers about their project ideas and research approaches; we ask for help reviewing research summaries and other research documentation; and also want to hear your  general “lived experience” perspective to advise our research staff and clinicians on how best to deliver our projects. We can provide training to support your involvement in our projects, as required.

When?

The dates and times of all the meetings/activities will be agreed in advance and we will endeavour to give as much notice as we can. Timings will be varied and flexible to accommodate the group.

Where?

Face-to-face meetings are sometimes held in the Learning & Research centre at Southmead Hospital. However, we also like to choose the most suitable venue for the group that is meeting – these can be less formal and, for example, more child-friendly, if required.

If you are interested in being involved in our general and/or or a specific project’s Public Involvement Group, would like to register your interest, or would just like some more information please email us via wchresearch@nbt.nhs.uk.