The laser beam from a CO2 laser is divided up (fractionated) into thousands of very narrow shafts of light which make tiny holes in the surface of the skin.

As the skin heals, new healthy collagen forms which tightens the skin and smooths the acne scars.

Studies have show 30-50% improvement in acne scarring from a single treatment, but results vary between individuals.

This treatment is not suitable for thick keloid scars and may not make much difference to deep ice-pick scars.

One to three treatment sessions may be required, with six months between sessions.

In the first session a small area will be treated to make sure it is safe and effective for you.

You will be asked to attend an hour before your treatment. 

The laser nurse will put a numbing cream on which will take about an hour to work. 

During treatment the laser feels uncomfortable, and some people describe it as painful. The numbing cream will help reduce the discomfort and a stream of cold air may be blown across the skin which also helps.

You may find it helpful to take paracetamol or ibuprofen before you leave home.

The procedure itself will take about half an hour.

You will be provided with laser proof goggles or patches to protect your eyes.

Your skin will look and feel like moderate sunburn. It may be swollen and slightly oozy for 24 hours. After this the skin surface will peel for three to seven days.

The skin will heal in about seven days and may look pink for another three to six weeks. You can use makeup to cover it as soon as the skin has healed.

You should be prepared to take a week off work, contact sports, and swimming.

You will be given a detailed leaflet about how to look after your skin after the laser treatment.

Improvement in scars can be seen from a week after treatment, but the skin texture can continue to improve for three to six months. 

Lightening or darkening of skin pigmentation can happen after CO2 laser treatment. This is usually temporary but can be permanent. Darkening of the skin is more common in darker skin types and can sometimes be treated with topical bleaching creams.

Scarring can happen after CO2 laser treatment but this is uncommon.

A flare-up of acne spots or white bumps (milia) can happen on the skin surface.

Infection after CO2 laser treatment is possible but uncommon. If you have a history of cold sores you may be prescribed anti-viral medication to take before treatment to prevent a flare-up of the cold sore virus.

You may not be suitable for this treatment if:

• You are on warfarin.
• You are on Roaccutane (isotretinon) or have taken it within the past 12 months.
• You are on oral steroids.
• You have an active facial or skin infection, including cold sores.
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• You are sun-tanned or have a fake tan.
• You have very dark skin.
• You have active acne spots.

Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) is a home visiting programme for first-time young mums and families. It will help you to:

• Have a healthy pregnancy
• Improve your child's health and development
• Plan your own futures & achieve your aspirations

For more information visit:

fnp.nhs.uk

www.swift.nhs.uk

vimeo.com

Feeling unwell yourself and/or supporting a partner who is unwell can be really challenging. Becoming a parent is a time of huge adjustment and can be very stressful for all concerned.

For more information visit mwww.mothersformothers.co.uk

Mothers for Mothers is a registered charity who offer support to mothers and families affected by perinatal mental illness (PMI) across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.

They offer support to women during pregnancy and until their youngest child attends school. Their services are delivered by women with lived experience of PNI. Their helpline 0117 9359366 offers phone, text and online support seven days a week, including weekly support calls at a pre-arranged time. They offer Home Visits for women who are too unwell to access services and activities outside of their home. Their Counselling Service offers mothers and fathers a safe place to talk about their feelings with a non-judgemental and empathic listener and find ways to cope with difficulties. They also run four weekly Support Groups in Staple Hill, Barton Hill, Hartcliffe and Bedminster.

For more information visit www.mothersformothers.co.uk

Please explore the below information for an overview of the career opportunities available at North Bristol NHS Trust.

Our Careers and Opportunities leaflet

Explore how our trust, our city, our clinical teams and our support and benefits can help you to acheive your career goals.

Medicine Division

All our Medicine Division's gate profiles in one document.

Anaesthesia, Surgery, Critical Care and Renal Division

All our ASCR division's gate profiles in one document.

Neurosciences and Musculoskeletal Division

All our NMSK division's gate profiles in one document.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Our NICU gate profile in one document.

Bristol has been consistently voted as one of the best places to live in the UK.

• A rich historical past
• A thriving arts and theatre scene
• An international live music venues
• Gastronomic and independent retail scenes
• Excellent transport links to London
• Excellent links to spectacular countryside and coastlines.

North Bristol NHS Trust is also easily commutable from a range of attractive locations in North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and South Wales (e.g. Portishead, Chepstow, Clevedon, Nailsea, Frome, Thornbury, Weston-Super-Mare).

• Visit Bristol (Official Tourist site)
• Official 2018 Visitor Guide
• Visit Bristol- Tourist Guide Film
• Lonely Planet- Bristol
• BBC News- Bristol named best place to live in Britain 2017
• The Independent- Bristol named best place to live in the UK for 2017
• The Winners RISING STAR (CITY/REGION)* 

*By National Geographic Traveller (UK). 

Please note that all links on this page do not constitute endorsement by North Bristol NHS Trust but are for use as a reference point only.

Unsure of where you would live in Bristol? Check out the handy guides below.

• Visit Bristol- Areas in Bristol
• The Complete Guide to Living in Bristol (By a Local)
• The five most family friendly places to live in Bristol
• Best Estate Agents in Bristol

North Bristol NHS Trust can offer relocation support for eligible candidates.

Criteria for eligibility are detailed in the Trust Relocation policy and would need to be confirmed at offer. The maximum authorised for band 5 nurses is £4,000.

Please find our relocation policy below, and get in touch with our talent acquisition team to discuss if you'd be eligible. 

In the United Kingdom, the education is divided into four main parts-

• Primary Education – between age 5 until 11
• Secondary Education- between age 11 to 16
• Further Education- between 16-18 usually, although can be taken later
• High Education- university level

The guides below provide a useful introduction to the different types of school in the UK, along with a detailed guide of the different schools within Bristol and the application process for these.

Primary Education- A guide for parents and carers on applying for a primary school place for the school year 2019-2020

https://www.bristol.gov.uk/documents/20182/33091/Primary+School+Admissions+booklet+2019-20.pdf/535cc2da-7095-45f9-478b-4fdceee8900d

Secondary Education- A guide for parents and carers on applying for a secondary school place for the school year 2019-2020

https://www.bristol.gov.uk/documents/20182/33091/Secondary+School+Admissions+booklet+2019-20.pdf/6b088560-ff91-702b-fab5-85e2008e1bbc

For more information about childcare options in Bristol, please refer to the 1 big database website.

North Bristol NHS Trust can provided a personalised travel plan on your journey to the hospital

Please find below some additional information regarding journeys to work. 

Bristol is seen as the hub of the South West with excellent transport links and journey times to a range of fantastic locations. It is the perfect base for exploration in the UK and beyond.

Airports

Bristol Airport

Where can I fly?    

How do I get to the airport?

London Heathrow

Travel time from Bristol (Averages) 

• Car: 1 hour 45 min
• Bus: 1 hour 55 min
• Train: 2 hours 30 min

Where can I fly?

How do I get to the airport?

London Gatwick

Travel time from Bristol 

• Car: 2 hours 30 mins
• Bus: 3 hours 25 mins
• Train:  2 hours 45 mins

Where can I fly?

How can I get to the airport?

Train Stations

Bristol Temple Meads Station

Bristol Temple Meads railway station runs trains to most of Britain, including Birmingham, Cardiff, Leeds, London, Manchester and Scotland. And the local area doesn’t miss out either, with regional services to Weston-super-Mare, Taunton and Gloucester.

Average Journey Times:

London: 1 hour 55 minutes
Birmingham: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cardiff:  1 hour 15 minutes

Bristol Parkway

Bristol Parkway railway station is located in the northern suburb of Bristol and is the closest train station from North Bristol NHS Trust.

Average Journey Times:

London: 1 hour 25 minutes
Birmingham: 1 hr 15 minutes
Cardiff:  45 minutes