Services A to Z

Live better with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Using self-management strategies when you have COPD can help you with your quality of life. These can include:

• Help with your understanding of COPD
• Improving your breathlessness
• Reducing your anxiety
• Improving your ability to move and exercise
• Provide tips to help with activities of daily living

Some useful resources to support you

Watch the following videos to learn more about COPD

Further reading

Local Support and Contact Details

• Glasgow Asthma + Lung UK Singing for Lung Health
• Singing for Lung Health Glasgow (Platform Singers)
• Movement Matters – Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland

If you need additional support

If you have a diagnosis of COPD and would like more support, please contact and discuss with your GP/Doctor about onward referral to specialist respiratory care.

Quit Your Way

Are you looking to stop smoking? Have you ever thought of stopping or tried to stop before? 

To find out more about what our services can offer call Quit Your Way on 0800 916 8858 or find a Stop Smoking Service in your area via Scotland’s Service Directory on NHS Inform.

Staying active and involved

Would it be helpful to understand how you can help yourself to stay active and involved in the things that are important to you?

Allied Health professionals (AHPs) are experts in prevention and rehabilitation and will hep you focus on your abilities and strengths so you can stay connected to your community and live in your own home for as long as possible. There are five key areas where AHPs can make a positive difference to people living with dementia. The diagram below describes this:

The AHP Approach

• Maximising physical activity
• Supporting families and carers as equal partners
• Enhancing daily living
• Adapting everyday environments
• Maximising psychological wellbeing

Further information

Activities and exercise advice

What’s next?

If you need additional support, there are several ways you can access the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde AHP Services

• GP – you can ask your GP or Doctor to refer you if you live in Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board area.
• Hospital or Clinic – You may be referred by another NHS Service

Managing Osteoarthritis (OA)

We know that OA is a common joint condition which can be managed well with self-care and self-management

Would it be helpful to understand how you can help yourself if you are experiencing pain, stiffness, joint swelling, bony changes or muscle weakness?

The best way of managing to look after your physical body is a combination of movement, exercise and self-care guidance 

Looking after your physical health can: 

• Improve your overall movement and strength
• Improve your day-to-day function and activities
• Improve your mood and emotional well-being 
• Improve aches and pains

Further Information

Please take a look at the following clip which tells you a bit more about osteoarthritis and what to expect:

Things you can do to help yourself

What’s next?

For more advice and support visit What is MSK Physiotherapy? – NHSGGC

To access NHSGGC Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy services please find more information here on How to access the Physiotherapy Service.

Helping with falls and balance

Are you having falls or concerned about your balance?

• Are you happy with how you get out and about?
• Do you think you can improve your walking?
• Do you feel that you are less steady on your feet?
• Are you concerned about falling?
• Have you had a fall?

If you have had a fall there are ways you can help yourself to try and reduce the risk of you falling again. Falls happen for many reasons.

By identifying those reasons, actions can be put in place to help reduce the risk of another fall:

• Improve your mobility
• Improve your strength and balance
• Simple adjustments to your house/equipment which may help to improve/maintain your independence

Watch the following videos to learn more about how your abilities can change as you age

Find out more about simple steps you can take to improve your balance and prevent falls:

Information about things you can do to help yourself

If you are interested in becoming more active or improving your strength and balance, there are several resources to assist you with this.

Self-assessment and action plan

There are several online tools that can provide you with a personalised report to tell you about things that you might find useful in your daily life. By answering a few questions about your needs, they can give you specific advice and allow you to create an action plan.

What’s next?

Many underlying causes of falls can be treated or corrected. There’s a lot you can do yourself, or with your family or carer, to reduce your risk of falls.

Always speak to your GP, physiotherapist or occupational therapist, if you have had two or more falls in the last year – even if you are unhurt. If you have had two or more falls you may be at risk of falling again if you don’t take steps to reduce your risk of falls.

If you do feel dizzy or lightheaded for whatever reason, if you have ever experienced a blackout or lost consciousness or if you had palpitations before your fall, it is important that you speak to your GP. It may be something simple which can easily be addressed.

Speak to your GP, physiotherapist or occupational therapist who can support you with the right next steps.

MSK physiotherapy information

Would it be helpful to understand how you can help yourself with a pain or weakness from an injury or general joint, muscle, spinal pain?

We know that many musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions benefit from good self-care and self-management. The best way of managing to look after your physical body is a combination of movement, exercise and self-care guidance.

Looking after your physical health can:

• Improve your overall movement and strength
• Improve your day to day function and activities
• Improve your mood and emotional well-being
• Improve aches and pains

Some further resources to help you manage your condition

• Let’s get moving first steps
• Let’s-Keep-Moving-Next-Steps
• How to stay motivated to keep active | NHS inform 
• Soft tissue injury | NHS inform 
• Pain and injuries after exercise | NHS inform 
• Exercise – NHS 

There are several ways you can access our service:

• GP- you can ask your GP/Doctor to refer you if you live in Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board area. 
• Hospital/Clinic- You may be referred by another NHS Service 
• Yourself- If you live within the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area, you can refer yourself directly
• MSK Physiotherapy Self-referral form – NHSGGC 
• Printable Self-Referral Form – (paper copies are available from your local physiotherapy department or GP surgery). Please deliver or post your completed form to your  Local Physiotherapy Department.   

Dietetic information and advice

Worried that you may be at risk of Type 2 Diabetes or have pre-diabetes?

Factors that can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes include your age, weight, ethnicity and family history.

Use Diabetes UK’s ‘Know Your Risk’ tool, to check your risk of type 2 diabetes in just a few minutes. All you need are scales and a tape measure.

Already diagnosed with Prediabetes or Type 2 Diabetes? Learn how you can help yourself to manage your symptoms

Changes to your lifestyle, including managing your weight, stopping smoking or getting more active could significantly reduce the chances of developing type 2 diabetes or worsening of the condition if you’ve already got type 2 diabetes.

Watch the following videos to find out more about prediabetes and what type 2 diabetes is.

Control It Plus Programme

If you already have type 2 diabetes, we want to support you to self-manage your condition as best you can. Our main service to help you do this is our diabetes lifestyle programme, Control IT Plus.

The programme is delivered by a team of Diabetes Nurses, Dietitians and Podiatrists. See the information leaflet below on what our programme covers.

Type 2 Diabetes Hub

For further information on making lifestyle changes, accessing available support, or registering for Control It Plus, please visit our Type 2 Diabetes Hub:

Contact the Type 2 Diabetes Hub

• Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday, from 8.00am to 4.00pm and Friday 8.00am to 3.30pm
• Email: ggc.type2diabeteshub@nhs.scot
• Call: 0141 531 8901

Living well with pain

Would it be helpful to understand what changes you could make that may help you live well despite the pain that you experience?

We know that chronic pain is a condition that may not be cured or fixed and affects over one third of adults in the UK. It can affect what you are able to do and how you feel.

Understanding long-term management strategies is key. These strategies could include:

• Understanding more about pain and why it has stayed
• Managing your activities
• Understanding more about chronic pain and your mental health
• Managing your sleep
• Managing your medication

Videos which show more about Chronic Pain

Sources of support

• Flippin’ Pain
• Pain Concern
• Community Pain Education

If you need additional support

If you would like to access the NHSGGC Chronic Pain Service for more support, please ask:

• Your GP/Doctor to refer you if you live in Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board area
• You can be referred by another NHS Service

Helping you live well with pain Information video

Advice to manage your symptoms

Would it be helpful to understand how you can help yourself with fatigue, sleep issues, breathlessness and your mental wellbeing?

We know that some Long COVID symptoms can benefit from good self-care and self-management.

A good way of self-managing some of your Long COVID symptoms can be looking at ways to make your body systems work more efficiently, balancing energy and activity and taking a holistic approach.

Looking after your Long COVID can start with:

• Improving your sleep
• Balancing your energy through rest and adapted activity (please see fatigue section) and your nutritional intake
• Consider your mood and emotional well-being
• Improving the efficiency of your breathing

More information about self-care and self-management for Long COVID

Lived experiences of Long COVID video

Apps that can help you manage anxiety and improve your sleep

Further Resources

Good Breathing Video

What’s next?

How to access the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Long COVID Service:

• GP – you can ask your GP or Doctor to refer you if you live in Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board area.
• Hospital or Clinic – You may be referred by another NHS Service (Including Allied Health Professionals – Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists etc.)

More than tiredness

Are you looking for help managing your fatigue?

Fatigue is more than tiredness – it’s persistent and not relieved by rest. With a fatigue condition, you may also experience Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM) – a worsening of symptoms after even minor activity, stress, or infection. Symptoms can be delayed, and recovery may take days or longer.

Key strategies to manage these issues

• Understand your fatigue and its impact.
• Balance activity with rest
• Identify and avoid PEM triggers.
• Avoid boom and bust cycles- periods of increased energy (booms) followed by periods of fatigue (busts)
• Improve your sleep
• Reduce your stress levels
• Try gentle movement

To improve your understanding and management of fatigue please explore:

• Managing Fatigue – NHSGGC
• Lift up your everyday – managing energy | RCOT

Consider trying the additional advice below:

• Complete an activity diary to assess for triggers (post exertional malaise), unhelpful energy patterns (boom and bust) and your routines – Energy and symptom diary – NHSGGC
• Consider your mood and how this affects your sleep patterns.
• Introduce gentle movements, like mindful movement or tai chi (start at a level you feel comfortable). E.g- Tai Chi – Friends of NHS Centre for Integrative Care

More information and other Resources

• Onboarding Sleep Test – Sleepio
• Self-help tips to fight tiredness
• Here are the 7 types of rest that can help you to feel fully renewed — Calm Blog
• Fatigue – Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland
• The Sleep Charity
• Audio Practices – Mindfulness Scotland

Overweight

Would you like support to work towards a healthier weight?

Some of the benefits of achieving a healthier weight can include:

• Improved overall physical health and reduced risk of conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some cancers
• Improved mental wellbeing and quality of life
• Better sleep and increased energy levels
• Improved mobility and joint health
  

Eatwell Guide Video

Further Weight Loss Information

What’s next?

If you would like weight management support in your area please visit Manage your weight – NHSGGC

Underweight

Are you malnourished? Would it be helpful to understand how you can help yourself to gain some weight? 

People who are malnourished are at risk from:

• Low mood
• Reduced energy levels
• Reduced muscle strength
• Reduced quality of life
• Difficulty with carrying out daily activities
• Increased risk of illness and infection
• Slower wound healing
• Increased risk of falls

The easiest way to gain some weight is using food fortification techniques, this means adding calories and protein to your diet.

To understand if you are at risk, you can use the online tool below.

Further information about malnutrition

What’s next?

There are several ways you can access our dietetics service:

• GP – you can ask your GP or Doctor to refer you if you live in Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board area.
• Hospital or Clinic – You may be referred by another NHS Service
• Visit the NHSGGC Dietetics service web pages for more information.

Advice and information

Would it be helpful to know how to improve any incontinence issues?

Learning how to use your pelvic floor muscles properly can help with your incontinence problems. Making appropriate changes to your lifestyle can help improve your quality of life. This may include:

• Decreasing bladder and bowel leakage
• Improving discomfort caused by pelvic floor prolapse
• Giving you more control over your bladder and bowel

Resources to help you

Watch the following videos to learn the correct technique for strengthening your pelvic floor muscles, and learning how not to strain on the toilet:

Guides and things you can do

• Pelvic Organ Prolapse: – a guide for women
• The Pelvic Floor Muscles – a guide for women
• Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises and Advice for Men

If you need additional support, you can be referred into the Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy service through:

• Your GP or hospital doctor
• Other Healthcare services, such as Nurse and Physiotherapy Specialists
• For further information on pelvic floor issues and how to self-manage them visit the Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy webpages.

Are you looking to become more active?

Keeping physically active is good for your body and mind. Did you know you should be aiming for 150 minutes of moderate activity like walking or cycling or 75 minutes of vigorous activity like running every week or a combination of both moderate and vigorous activity?

Start with walking and get active outdoors

Walking is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve your health. It boosts cardiovascular fitness, strengthens muscles and bones, supports weight management, and can reduce stress and improve mood. Regular walking also helps lower the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

To get started, choose a comfortable pair of shoes, begin with short walks of 10–15 minutes at a pace that feels natural, and gradually increase your time and distance. Aim for consistency, perhaps a daily walk, and consider adding variety by exploring different routes or walking with a friend for motivation.

Strength and Balance

Walking Scotland provide useful advice on strength and balance exercises to help you stay active.

Get Active at home – online fitness videos are a great way to start exercising

Get Active – there’s an app for that! Some tools to help you.

Need additional support?

If you’re currently not active and need support to become more active then please go to your health professional and ask for a Live Active referral or call us on 0141 232 1860 and select the Live Active option to discuss with the Live Active team. 

Are you looking to lose weight?

We have the information, resources and tools to help you start your weight loss journey.

Calculate your body mass index (BMI)

Body mass index (BMI) is the most commonly used way to assess whether you have a healthy weight. It uses your height and weight to give you a number.

Start your journey

Download our free, practical guide designed to help get you get started and build the foundations for real and lasting weight loss that you can maintain with simple lifestyle changes.

Stay on track

Reaching and staying a healthy weight isn’t always easy. But small, realistic changes can make a big difference to your health and wellbeing. The NHS Inform Weight Loss site gives you trusted information and practical tips to help you:

• understand your weight
• lose weight safely and keep it off

Need additional support?

If you are overweight have diabetes, heart disease or you have had a stroke, you can self-refer to our Weight Management Service by and filling out the form.

If you are overweight and have other medical conditions, you can speak to your health professional (Nurse, GP, Dietician, or Physiotherapist) about a self-management or referral to the Weight Management Service.

You call the Weight Management Hub on 0141 211 3379 (Monday to Friday, 8.00am – 4.00pm).

Interpreters can be provided.

Are you looking to stop smoking? Have you ever thought of stopping or tried to stop before?

The most effective way to quit smoking is with specialist support and the use of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products or stop smoking medication; whether it is your first attempt or you have tried before, we are here to make your quitting journey as successful as possible.

• Studies show you are four times more likely to quit smoking if you do it through a specialist support service such as NHS Quit Your Way
• Local NHS stop smoking services are free and provide one to one support from expert advisers
• Services offer a range of proven methods and medications to help you quit

Your go to for Stop Smoking support

To find out more about what our services can offer call Quit Your Way on 0800 916 8858 or Click to Quit: Find a Stop Smoking Service in your area via Scotland’s Service Directory on NHS Inform:

Support to stop vaping

If you are thinking of stopping vaping, our stop vaping tips for adults leaflet can help you to get started.

What’s next?

To find out more about personalised appointments for face-to-face, telephone or online support, call our team on 0800 916 8858 to get started.

Do you have planned hospital admission?

Stopping smoking before a hospital procedure such as an operation greatly reduces the risks of complications and speeds up recovery. If you would like to stop smoking ahead of a planned admission you can use the postcode search on Scotland’s Service Directory to find our local stop smoking services near you, or simply call our team on 0800 916 8858.

Have you unexpectedly been admitted to hospital?

Please take a look at the following clip which shows you what to expect.

Are you worried about alcohol and/or drugs?

Often alcohol and drugs are used as a way of coping with difficult situations and feelings. You can take steps to improve your health and wellbeing by stopping or reducing your alcohol or drug use.

Alcohol

NHS inform has information on drinking sensibly, knowing your limits and getting support for alcohol abuse.

Watch this video and find out if you are drinking too much alcohol.

Some tools and resources to help you

It’s recommended that you don’t drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week. How does your drinking add up? Use this interactive website to find out.

Want to cut down your alcohol consumption? – try the NHS Drink Free Days App

Drugs and drug use

NHS Inform provides important information about the substances you may be taking and how to get support.

Need additional support?

For alcohol and drug addiction problems you can either self-refer directly to the local specialist teams or contact your GP. Crisis services are also available at the Glasgow Alcohol and Drug Crisis Service.

Contact your healthcare professional or use the link below to:

• Find your local service
• Access more information
• Make a self-referral

Looking for ways to improve your mental wellbeing?

Mental wellbeing describes your mental state – how you are feeling and how well you can cope with day-to-day life. Our mental wellbeing is dynamic. It can change from moment to moment, day to day, month to month or year to year.

NHS Inform provides information and resources to support your everyday mental wellbeing.

Your go to guide to boosting your mental wellbeing – 5 simple tips to help you

Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life.

• Connect – connect with the people around you: your family, friends, colleagues, and neighbours. Spend time developing these relationships.
• Be active – you don’t have to go to the gym. Take a walk, go cycling or play a game of football. Find the activity that you enjoy and make it a part of your life.
• Keep learning – learning new skills can give you a sense of achievement and new confidence.
• Give to others – even the smallest act can count, whether it’s a smile, a thank you, or a kind word. Larger acts, such as volunteering at your local community centre, can improve your mental wellbeing and help you build new relationships.
• Be mindful – be more aware of the present moment, including your feelings and thoughts, your body, and the world around you. Some people call this awareness “mindfulness”, and it can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.

You can get further ideas here, with tips from Mind’s Five Ways to Wellbeing resource.
Also, the Mental Health Foundation has produced a guide: “How to Look After Your Mental Health” which you can download for free. This contains 10 practical areas that you can take action on.

8 relaxation tips for your mental health

Watch this animation from Mind for eight relaxation tips to help you look after your mental wellbeing.

Get our app – go digital to support you mental wellbeing

My App: My Mental Health, created by NHSGGC, offers resources to support you to manage your mental health and wellbeing.

Local Support and Contact Details

Heads Up provides advice and information on mental health conditions, including how to support yourself or the people you care for, the services available for you and the range of interventions you may participate in.

Do you have a planned hospital admission or medical appointment?

If you are feeling worried or down while you are waiting for a hospital appointment or treatment, you are not alone. Find information and support below to help you look after your mental health.

If you need urgent help

Urgent help

If you, or someone you know, need an immediate response call the emergency services on 999 or visit Mental health services at NHS 24

Confused or distressed

If you are experiencing confusing or distressing thoughts, or if people around you have expressed concern about your wellbeing, arrange an appointment with your GP or call NHS 24 on 111.
If you, or someone you know, are currently being seen by someone from a community mental health team and require urgent attention, please contact the Out of Hours Team on the number you will have been provided with.

Support

If you just need to talk with someone, there is help available.

The Samaritans are there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call them on 116 123 (freephone).

Breathing Space offers a confidential phone line for anyone in Scotland feeling low, anxious or depressed. You can call free on 0800 83 85 87

You can find lots of useful information on the NHS inform website and Mind to Mind Hub. You can also visit the NHSGGC Heads Up Mental Health Support website for advice, videos and support which also has mental health information described in British Sign Language (BSL).

Mind Infoline

Mind provides information on a range of mental health topics to support people in their own area from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday. Call 0300 123 3393 or email info@mind.org.uk .

Advice and support to help you eat well

The Eatwell Guide provides information and resources to help you eat a healthy balanced diet.

Eat well everyday – use the meal plan for a healthy balanced diet

Food and nutrition support

Access food and nutrition support in your area along with some helpful resources, hints and tips to help you make healthier choices.

Help yourself to a good night’s sleep

A good night’s sleep is important for your general heath and wellbeing. There are lots of things that you can do to improve your sleep and tackle some of the most common sleep problems.

Watch this video where GP Peter Chrun offers some tips to improve your sleep.

If you are experiencing insomnia or other sleep problems NHS Inform has a useful self-help resource.

Online tools and apps for better sleep

Support and information if you’re worried about money

A change in personal circumstances such as a change in health status, bereavement, birth of a new child, relationship breakdown or loss of employment can lead to money worries for a person or a household.

Any patients accessing our hospitals can access impartial and confidential help and support from one of our dedicated money advice partnership services.

Watch this video to find out more about our hospital-based money advice services.

Help with hospital travel costs

You may also be entitled to help with the cost of travelling to and from hospital if you receive NHS treatment under the care of a consultant and have a low income or receive certain benefits or credits.

Other sources of support with money worries

Money Advice Scotland believes everyone in debt deserves to be treated fairly. They provide a range of resources for people going through the debt advice process including debt terms explained, help accessing your income and expenditure report, and benefits calculator.

Debt Navigator provides information and advice on how to deal with debts including energy debts; mortgage, rent and council tax arrears; loans, credit cards and overdrafts; car finance and care costs. The website includes a web chat function.

Would you like to get creative?

Getting creative and engaging with the arts, whether it’s painting, photography, writing, music, dance, or drama, can have a powerful impact on your health and wellbeing. Here are some of the key benefits:

• Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing – reduce stress and anxiety
• Social Connection – meet people, reduce isolation and build communities
• Cognitive Benefits – enhanced memory and focus
• Physical Health – improved motor skills and coordination
• Builds confidence – sense of achievement and purpose

Would you like ideas for how to get involved in the arts locally?

Your local authority can provide access to a wide range of arts opportunities via their libraries, museums and community centres

Find out about creative opportunities online

Local and regional activities can be found via simple web searches such as ‘Where’s my nearest community art, dance or singing class”

There are many other organisations that can help you explore creative activities. Here are some ideas:

• Community centres: These often have a variety of classes and are more likely to be local.
• Colleges and universities: They may have continuing education programs or student-led activities that fit your needs.
• Local theatres and arts organisations: Check if there are any local theatres, dance or community groups in your area that offer workshops or lessons

ALISS – A Local Information System for Scotland

You can use ALISS to find health and wellbeing services, groups and activities in your area

Find out how to stay connected

Being connected, both digitally in the online world and in real life, can have a profound impact on your health, wellbeing, and sense of purpose. Here are some of the benefits:

Digital Connection Benefits

• Access to Information and Support
• Staying in touch
• Community Building
• Empowerment and voice

In-person and community connection benefits

• Improved mental health
• Sense of belonging
• Physical health boost
• Shared activities and learning

Blending both worlds

The most powerful approach often combines both digital and real-world connection. For example:

• Joining a local support group and staying in touch via a WhatsApp group.
• Attending in-person wellbeing event promoted through NHS or community Facebook pages.
• Participating in hybrid events that offer both online and face-to-face options

More information on some sources of support

Your Local Library Health and Wellbeing Hub

Every library in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area is more than just books – it’s a welcoming space for everyone to get support for their health and wellbeing. Here are some of the services that you can access when you visit:

• Digital Support – Help with online health services and virtual appointments
• Health and Wellbeing Info – Trusted, easy-to-read resources
• Private Space for Near Me – Secure video consultations
• Staff Support – Guidance to the right health services
• Community Connections – Links to charities and local groups

Libraries

Find out your local library using the links below.

What is women’s health?

Women’s health covers things like breast and cervical cancer checks, periods, contraception, and pregnancy. It also means keeping healthy by staying active, eating well, not smoking, and looking after your mental health and wellbeing.

The Women’s Health Platform on NHS Inform sets out information on women’s health at key stages of life, from puberty to later years.

Managing your Menstrual Health

Periods – What is normal?

Managing Menopause

Menopause is a natural part of a woman’s life and there’s a lot that can be done to help manage symptoms, including making healthy lifestyle choices, trying different treatments and seeking support from healthcare professionals.

Symptom questionnaire

You can use this menopause symptom questionnaire (PDF, 168KB) to keep a note of your symptoms and how you’re feeling. You can print it and talk about it with your healthcare professional to help them understand the different symptoms you’re experiencing.

Looking after your Sexual Health

Good sexual health is more than the absence of Sexually Transmitted Infections and contraception, but these are the foundations for good sexual health.

Find out more about STIs and where to get tested in NHSGGC.

Contraception Choices

Details on the types of contraception available and where to find it in NHSGGC, including Emergency Contraception andFree Condoms.

The Right Contraception for you

Contraception Choices Tool

Use this tool to help make decisions about which contraception might be best for you:

Planning a pregnancy?

Information on planning a pregnancy what to expect during pregnancy and childbirth, including common illnesses and conditions and how to access maternity care in NHSGGC.

Planning for Pregnancy Online Tool

The personalised tool will help you work out where to start with planning a pregnancy and how to get any information or support you might need.

Cancer Screening and Vaccination

Women are offered population-based screening at for key life stages for Breast, Cervical and Bowel cancers. It is important to attend for you screening appointments as early detection can save lives.

What to expect at your breast screening appointment

Breast screening aims to find cancer early so more people survive breast cancer each year.

Cervical Screening

Cervical screening is offered to women and anyone with a cervix who:

• lives in Scotland
• is aged between 25 and 64

What to expect at your cervical screening appointment

If you need additional support

Speak to your GP if you have:

• unusual discharge
• bleeding after sex, between periods or after the menopause

These are usually caused by something other than cancer but it’s important to have them checked.