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This webpage provides: 

• Information about dietitians and how to access our clinical service 
• Nutritional information and advice that can help people to manage their health condition
• Useful information for staff and colleagues. 
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Who are we?

We are a team of dietitians, support workers and administrative staff. Our dietitians assess and treat nutritional and dietary issues in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals and health centres, across the health board area. The paediatric service also provide a Scotland wide service for inherited metabolic diseases and shared care to other areas. 

Dietitians are Allied Health Professionals registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) who specialise in the assessment and treatment of a wide range of dietary issues for individual people and the wider population. The term “dietitian” is legally protected; only people that are suitably trained and registered with the HCPC can use this title.

What do we do?

A Dietitian will assess your dietary intake and will work with you to develop and agree a treatment plan to help meet your goals in relation to your health concerns. Examples of the benefits of seeing a Dietitian are:

• To reach or maintain a healthy weight
• To resolve symptoms caused by food allergies and / or intolerances
• To live healthily with a long-term condition, e.g. diabetes, coeliac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, cancer, renal disease and weight management advice from the specialist weight management service.

Our governing body is the British Dietetics Association (BDA). See below for more information on dietetics. The site also provides information on a variety of topics including, “How to become a dietitian” and information on self management of certain conditions – see “Food Facts”.

How do you access our service?

You can ask your General Practitioner (GP) or other health care professional to refer you to a dietitian. 

If you are under the care of a hospital consultant they, or a specialist nurse attached to the multi-disciplinary service, can also refer you to a dietitian.

About your appointment

Your appointment will either be face to face, by telephone or using NHS Near me video consultation. NHS Near me is new video consultation, more information is available on the button below

Further information

Follow NHSGGC Dietitians on Social Media

What is Colposcopy?

Most patients seen in colposcopy clinics do not have cancer. The aim is to spot and treat abnormalities before they become cancerous. Clinics provide care for women with abnormal cervical smears. They diagnose and treat various conditions including abnormal cells and early cancers of the cervix. They also care for women with other conditions affecting the vulva and vagina.

Colposcopy is an examination to look closely at the cervix (neck of the womb) using a special microscope. Similar examination may be performed at the vulva (vulvoscopy) or vagina (vaginoscopy). Small tissue samples (biopsies) may be taken to check for any pre-cancerous or cancerous change. Treatment for pre-cancerous change can also be done at the same time if needed.

Orthoptists specialise in the assessment, diagnosis, management and monitoring of a variety of eye disorders in both adults and children. The disorders can be caused by issues with the muscles around the eyes, or issues with the nerves enabling the brain to communicate with the eyes.

Orthoptists work with a variety of patients of all ages, including those with neurological conditions such as stroke, brain tumours or multiple sclerosis. They provide a range of treatment and management options for conditions causing blurred, double vision and oscillating vision (where objects appear to move even when they are still).

Many of us take our eyesight for granted, having any of these symptoms can make even simple everyday tasks very difficult and unpleasant, and in some cases unsafe. Patients may be provided with eye patches, eye exercises, prisms or glasses which can help to relieve symptoms and drastically improve quality of life.

The majority of Orthoptists are employed by the NHS in hospitals and community services, working with a wider team alongside Optometrists and Ophthalmologists.

If you are concerned about reduced vision, double vision, see a squint in the eye or changes in lid position then you should contact your GP or local optician for a referral to our service.

How to access the Orthoptics Service

The Orthoptic service operates on a referral system via:

Internal referral from other departments in the hospital.

• Local opticians  
• General Practitioners (GP)  
• Pre-school visual screening  
• Health visitors  
• Social workers  
• Paediatricians  

More Information on Orthoptics

 NHSGGC Orthoptic departments  

At around 4-7 months baby’s first tooth should appear. A baby who is attached well at the breast will be unable to bite down when they begin teething. The nipple is positioned far back into his or her mouth and the tongue will cover the lower gum. Ensuring baby is well attached is key.

As babies develop they become more inquisitive:

• Minimize distractions by dimming lights, turning off the TV or playing soothing music
• Try breastfeeding while walking or rocking, or find a quiet place.

Try to ignore other people’s opinions – all that matters is breastfeeding baby for as long as you can to give them the best start.

Reasons to breastfeed for baby

• Immune system – protects against infection and inflammation
• Bladder – protects against urinary infections
• Tummy – protects against serious infections an tummy bugs
• Lungs – less likely to be hospitalised with asthma when they are older
• Teeth – less likely to have tooth decay when they are older
• Ears – protects against ear infections
• Healthy weight – protects against diabetes when they are older.

What to wear when breastfeeding

• You don’t really need to buy anything to breastfeed, however, special nursing bras and ordinary items of clothing can make breastfeeding extra comfortable and easy when on the go.
• A good fitting breastfeeding bra will help to support your breasts and ensure easier access when feeding.
• Getting a new bra.
• Bra should never be so tight that it presses or squeezes breasts
• Under-wired bras are not advised due to the increased chance of blocking ducts and causing pain and inflammation
• Things to look out for in a nursing bra
  • Four hook-and-eye fastenings, rather than the normal one or two
  • Wider shoulder straps with a broad back and sides
  • Cups that you can open and close with one hand
• It’s a good idea to be measured so that you know your bra fits properly

Days out and breastfeeding

Building Confidence

• The more you breastfeed when out and about, the more confident you’ll get

Planning to feed when out and about

• Slings and carriers are a great help for many mums, allowing them to carry their babies close to their bodies.
  • This keeps their hands free and makes breastfeeding almost invisible.
• A loose top can enable feeding to be discreet, or a shawl or muslin draped over mum’s shoulder can ensure privacy.
• Attending a local breastfeeding group can be helpful to start feeding out and about as women are surrounded by like-minded mums and will receive support and advice.

Breastfeeding Friendly Scheme

• Breastfeeding friendly welcome schemes are in place throughout Greater Glasgow and Clyde
  • The scheme sees stickers displayed to welcome women to breastfeed within premises and staff receiving awareness training.
  • Many women report that these schemes helped them cross the threshold from home to out and about and allowed them to see and feel that their community would support their decision to breastfeed their baby.

Legal right to breastfeed

• It is women’s legal right to breastfeed wherever and whenever.
• Protected by the Breastfeeding etc. (Scotland) Act 2005
• It is an offence to stop someone in a public place from feeding their child, if under two, with milk. The legislation allows for fines for preventing breastfeeding in public places.

Why Should I Breastfeed Past 6 Months?

What are the advantages for mum?

• Ongoing breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer
• Breastfeeding can help women lose weight by burning up to 500 calories a day.
• Breast milk is safely available at the right temperature whenever and wherever your baby is ready for a feed, making it really convenient.
• Breast milk is, of course, absolutely free and will save you a fortune because it never runs out. As your baby feeds, your body is busy making more milk.

What are the advantages for baby?

• Breast milk changes to meet your baby’s needs as they develop, and can respond to their surroundings to protect them from germs and bugs.
• Beyond the early years, breast milk also improves brain development and your baby’s future health by reducing their chances of conditions such as asthma, diabetes and obesity.

How Can I Prepare for Going Back to Work?

Some women give up on breastfeeding once they return to work,but this doesn’t have to happen.

Employers have a legal duty to support working, breastfeeding mums.

There are laws in place to protect breastfeeding working mums and many employers have special policies to make breastfeeding and expressing in the workplace as easy and as comfortable as possible.

To make sure your employer is ready to support you, you must write to them and let them know that you want to continue breastfeeding when you return to work -the earlier you let them know the better. Your employer will have to carry out a risk assessment to make sure it’s safe for you to breastfeed or express milk at work. Ideally, you should have access to:

• A clean, warm room with a low, comfortable chair. If you can’t lock the door, you should be able to put a sign on it to make sure nobody interrupts you. The toilet isn’t good enough!
• A plug socket point in case you are using an electric breast pump
• Nearby hand washing facilities
• A hygienic area where you can clean your pump and store your equipment
• A fridge for storing milk.

Preparing to Express Breast Milk at Work

• Speak to your childminder or nursery so they know how to store and use your milk.
• Have a chat with your employer -you may need more flexible working hours and breaks to fit with your baby’s feeding patterns.
• Find out more about the protection the Breastfeeding etc. (Scotland) Act 2005 gives you as an employee by following the link below.

Breast Milk Storage and Bottle Hygiene

Just like normal milk, breast milk must be stored carefully to stop it going sour.

Follow these tips to make sure none of your milk goes to waste.

Getting ready to express

• Wash your hands
• Make sure whatever you’re collecting your milk in is very clean and dry (you don’t need to sterilise it though -this is new advice in Scotland)
• Use a different container with a lid to store your milk. Again, check it’s clean and dry

Storage

• Label storage containers with the time and date to make sure you don’t use any spoiled milk
• Store your milk in the fridge or freezer as soon as possible
• Store at the back of the fridge and not in the door, away from meat products, eggs and uncooked food

Breast Milk Storage and Bottle Hygiene

Storage Times and Temperatures

• You can store your breast milk for up to 3 days in a fridge running below 10ºC
• Breast milk stored in a fridge running under 4ºC can be stored between 4 and 8 days
• Freeze your milk if you won’t be using it in time
• Keep an eye on the temperature of your fridge -opening the door frequently can make it rise. If there’s no built in thermometer, borrow or buy a fridge thermometer available from kitchenware stores
• Use a cool bag or box with frozen ice packs to transport milk.

Using Stored Breast Milk

• Defrost frozen milk in the fridge, but if you need it quickly it is safe to defrost under cool, then warm (not hot) running water.
• Dry the outside of the container with a clean towel or kitchen roll before use
• Use stored breast milk straight from the fridge
• To avoid overheating never use a microwave, always heat in warm water
• Use defrosted breast milk immediately -throw away anything unused
• If it smells sour, it has spoiled. Don’t use it!
• When stored the cream and milk may separate out. This doesn’t mean it’s spoiled -just gently mix it before use
• Use a very clean bottle, cup or syringe to feed your baby. There’s no need to sterilise. Just clean everything thoroughly in hot, soapy water and completely air dry, checking there’s no dried in milk or soap left behind.

Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood glucose (sugar) level to become too high.

There are two main types of diabetes – type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1. In the UK, around 90% of all adults with diabetes have type 2.

Diabetic Retinopathy Screening

Everyone with diabetes runs the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, a condition that may cause blindness or serious damage to eyesight.

As part of a national screening programme, anyone with diabetes over the age of 12 years is invited to have their eyes checked.

Visit NHSinform Website for more information about the screening programme.

To change your appointment, please phone 0141 277 7417 and one of our staff will be on hand to offer you a more convenient appointment time.

The day surgery unit provides a variety of procedures that can be accommodated as a day case (the patient does not have to be admitted to the hospital overnight).

These procedures may involve local anaesthetic, general anaesthetic or sedation.

A bone marrow transplant involves taking healthy stem cells from the bone marrow of one person and transferring them to the bone marrow of another person.

A bone marrow transplant has five stages:

• Physical examination: This is to assess your general level of health
• Harvesting: The process of obtaining stem cells to be used in the transplant
• Conditioning: Preparing your body for the transplant
• Transplanting the stem cells
• Recovery period: During which you’ll be monitored for any complications or side effects.

Patients can be in the hospital for approximately 6-8 weeks, on occasions longer. Patients are kept in isolation during this period to minimise risk of infection. This is a national service for all donor transplants (siblings and volunteer unrelated donors).

More information is available at:

This is the room in which a woman gives birth. It is specifically equipped to allow midwives to support the mother through the birthing process and differs from standard examination rooms.

The Community Maternity Unit has a birthing suite that is equipped with a birthing pool and partners/family can join the woman in the suite.

The information provided here is intended to help you find out what to expect during this difficult time, as well as providing information about some of the practical arrangements you will need to consider.

Due to the pandemic, some of the usual arrangements may have changed, however, support is still available.

Bereavement Support

Other Local and National Services and Resources

Quit Your Way stop smoking services offer free information, advice and support, including nicotine replacement therapy, to those who want to stop smoking.

To find out more about what our services can offer call the Quit Your Way service on 0800 916 8858 or visit: