Skip to content
Home > Your health > Page 17

Your health

Our Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy service in NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (NHSGGC) supports people experiencing bladder and bowel problems, urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, pelvic pain and post-surgical issues.

All appointments are conducted by HCPC-registered specialist pelvic health physiotherapists with advanced training in pelvic floor assessment and treatment. Our approach follows evidence-based guidelines to ensure safe and effective care.

At your appointment, a specialist pelvic health physiotherapist will:

  • Take a detailed history
  • Discuss your symptoms and concerns
  • If appropriate, carry out an examination

Some questions may feel personal. However, your physiotherapist will explain everything clearly at the start of your consultation. In addition, you can ask questions at any time.

This page explains:

  • What the pelvic floor muscles are and how to exercise them
  • The conditions treated by pelvic floor physiotherapy
  • How pelvic floor physiotherapy can help bladder, bowel and prolapse symptoms
  • How to access our pelvic floor physiotherapy service
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Where our pelvic health clinics are located across Glasgow and Clyde

What are your pelvic floor muscles?

The pelvic floor muscles are a hammock of muscles that lie beneath your pelvis. They support the bladder, bowel, and the uterus (in women). These muscles help keep the bladder and bowel openings closed to prevent unwanted leakage (incontinence) and they relax to allow normal bladder and bowel emptying.

How to exercise your pelvic floor muscles

To exercise the pelvic floor muscles, lie, sit or stand with your knees slightly apart. First, tighten your back passage as though you are trying to stop yourself from passing wind. Then, at the same time, tighten the muscles you would use to stop yourself from passing urine. As you do this, focus on the sensation of “squeeze and lift,” gently closing and drawing up both the back and front passages.

There are two ways to exercise your pelvic floor muscles. 

Short squeezes 

  • Quickly tighten up your pelvic floor muscles 
  • Hold for 1 second and relax 
  • Repeat this up to 10 times

Long squeezes 

  • Tighten your pelvic floor muscles for up to 10 seconds 
  • Relax fully for 4 seconds
  • Now tighten again for the same time 
  • Relax fully for 4 seconds
  • Repeat this up to 10 times

Conditions treated by pelvic floor physiotherapy

Bladder problems

Bladder dysfunction affects how urine is stored or passed. It can affect people of all ages and may significantly impact daily life.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy offers non-surgical treatment for many bladder problems. It can improve bladder control, reduce leakage, and restore confidence.

Common bladder issues include:

Stress urinary incontinence 

Stress urinary incontinence is when urine leaks during activities like coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising. It happens when the pelvic floor muscles are weak and cannot fully support the bladder. Although more common in women, it can also affect men.

Urinary urgency

Urinary urgency is a sudden, strong need to urinate that may be hard to control. It can be caused by overactive bladder muscles or nerve signals that trigger the bladder too often and may make you feel anxious about finding a bathroom in time.

Urinary urge incontinence

Urinary urge incontinence occurs when urine leaks due to a sudden, strong urge to empty the bladder. You may not reach the toilet in time. It is often caused by overactive bladder muscles that contract too frequently or without warning.

Overactive bladder

Overactive bladder is a condition that may include:

  • A strong, sudden need to urinate (urinary urgency)
  • Going to the bathroom more than 6 to 8 times during the day (frequency)
  • Waking up more than once at night to urinate (nocturia)
  • Sometimes leaking urine before reaching the toilet (urinary urge incontinence)
Common causes of bladder problems

Bladder problems can develop for many reasons. Understanding the cause helps your specialist pelvic health physiotherapist provide the right treatment. Common causes include:

  • Life stages: Pregnancy, childbirth, ageing, menopause
  • Weight and lifestyle: Obesity, high-impact exercise
  • Medical procedures: Pelvic or prostate surgery
  • Bladder and bowel issues: Overactive bladder muscles, constipation, urinary tract infections
  • Medications and diet: Water tablets, caffeine, alcohol, fizzy drinks, spicy or acidic foods
  • Bladder habits and fluid intake: High fluid intake, frequent “just in case” toilet visits, anxiety
  • Neurological conditions: Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, spinal injury, diabetes
What can help
  • Pelvic floor exercises: Strengthening the muscles that support the bladder can improve bladder control and help reduce leakage. These exercises are a core part of pelvic floor physiotherapy
  • Bladder training: Structured bladder training helps increase the time between toilet visits and reduces urgency, frequency and improves overall bladder function
  • Lifestyle advice: Guidance on fluid intake, diet, and healthy toileting habits can support long-term bladder health and complement pelvic floor exercises
  • Electrical stimulation: A gentle electrical current may be used to activate weak pelvic floor muscles, particularly when they are difficult to contract voluntarily. This can help improve muscle strength over time
  • Biofeedback: Sensors provide visual or audio feedback on how your pelvic floor muscles are working. This helps you learn to contract and relax the muscles correctly, enhancing the effectiveness of your exercises
  • Squeezy app for women: This app guides you through pelvic floor exercises and tracks your progress. Using it regularly supports consistent practice and helps maintain long-term bladder control

Bowel problems

Good bowel function is important for overall health. When things aren’t working properly, it can quickly affect quality of life. Bowel problems affect around 10% of the population, and pelvic floor physiotherapy can help you manage these issues.

Common bowel issues include:

Constipation

Constipation occurs where there are changes to how you move your bowels. This may include not opening your bowels as often as normal and finding it hard to get your stool (poo) out. Often the stool is hard and lumpy and difficult to pass and most people will experience constipation at some point, but this is usually temporary. However, for some people constipation can become a long term issue.

What can help

  • Fluids: Aim for 1.5–2 litres of water-based fluids daily
  • Diet: Eating more fibre can help keep stools soft and easier to pass
  • Toilet positioning: Using the right posture can make bowel movements easier. Your specialist pelvic health physiotherapist can advise on this and watch this video for tips
  • Helpful guides: Resources like POGP good bowel health and POGP improving your bowel function provide additional support
Faecal incontinence

Faecal incontinence is the unwanted leakage of stool or wind from the back passage. This condition can be distressing and diarrhoea can make it worse. It can occur suddenly without any warning and may be linked to an urgent need to have a bowel movement which may lead to accidental leakage.

What can help

  • Pelvic floor muscle exercises: Strengthening the muscles around the back passage can improve control
  • Healthy diet: Eating enough fibre helps keep stools well-formed
  • Toilet positioning: Using the right posture can make bowel movements easier. Your specialist pelvic health physiotherapist can advise on this and watch this video for tips
  • Medication: Some people may benefit from medication. Speak to your healthcare professional
  • ‘Just can’t wait’ card: Gives quicker access to public toilets. Applications are available online here
  • RADAR key: Provides access to locked accessible toilets across the UK for people with mobility or continence needs. You can order one online via Disability Rights UK
Obstructive defecation

Obstructive defecation is a term used to describe having difficulty opening your bowels. It is often associated with frequent toilet visits and a feeling of being unable to fully empty the bowel. This can result in excessive straining, which can increase the risk of vaginal or rectal prolapse. 

In a normal bowel movement, the muscles around the back passage relax to allow stool to pass. In obstructive defecation, these muscles may not relax fully or may even tighten, making bowel movements difficult.

What can help

  • Fluids: Aim for 1.5–2 litres of water-based fluids daily
  • Healthy diet: Eating enough fibre helps keep stools well-formed
  • Stay active: Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity daily to support bowel movement
  • Belly breathing: A relaxation technique that helps release the pelvic floor. Your specialist pelvic health physiotherapist can teach you how to do it correctly
Faecal urgency

Faecal urgency is a sudden, strong urge to empty your bowels. You may reach the toilet in time, but it can also lead to accidental leakage.

What can help

  • Healthy diet: Eating enough fibre helps keep stools well-formed
  • Holding on programme: This programme trains your bowel to delay the urge to go. A specialist pelvic health physiotherapist can guide you through it
  • Pelvic floor muscle exercises: Strengthening the muscles around the back passage improves control and confidence, helping you reach the toilet on time
  • ‘Just can’t wait’ card: Gives quicker access to public toilets. Applications are available online here
  • RADAR key: Provides access to locked accessible toilets across the UK for people with mobility or continence needs. You can order one online via Disability Rights UK

Pelvic organ prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) occurs when one or more of the vaginal walls, or the uterus, move downwards, causing a bulge or a feeling of heaviness in the vagina. This can lead to pressure or discomfort, and sometimes you may notice a bulge inside or at the vaginal opening. Prolapse can also affect bladder or bowel function, as well as sexual function.

What can help
  • Pelvic floor exercises: Strengthening the muscles can help support the pelvic organs and reduce prolapse symptoms. These exercises are a core part of pelvic floor physiotherapy
  • Lifestyle changes: Maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding heavy lifting, and practicing safe toileting habits can support pelvic health
  • Supportive devices: In some cases, a vaginal pessary may be recommended by a healthcare professional to provide additional support
  • Helpful guides: Resources like POGP pelvic organ prolapse – a guide for women. This guide provides information and practical advice on managing prolapse

Pelvic pain

Pelvic pain can have many different causes. It is important to have the underlying cause assessed by your GP, advanced nurse practitioner, sexual health clinic or consultant. Depending on the diagnosis, pelvic floor physiotherapy may help to manage and reduce your symptoms.

Common types of pelvic pain issues include:

Bladder pain syndrome

This condition causes pelvic pain and difficulty urinating. As there is no single test to confirm it, diagnosis can take time.

Vaginismus

Repeated difficulty allowing vaginal entry of a penis, finger, or other object. It may lead to involuntary tightening of the pelvic floor muscles, along with fear or pain.

Dyspareunia

Dyspareunia is painful sex. This can be pain or discomfort at the opening to the vagina or felt deeper into the pelvis.

Vulvodynia

Vulvodynia is ongoing pain, burning, or discomfort in the vulva (the external female genital area) that lasts for 3 months or more and does not have a clear cause, such as an infection or skin condition. It can affect daily activities, including sitting, exercise, and sexual activity, but support and treatment are available.

Tight or overactive pelvic floor muscles

Pelvic floor muscles may be tense or overactive. This can contribute to pelvic pain.

What can help

Gynaecology surgery

After your gynaecology surgery, you will be seen by a specialist pelvic health physiotherapist on the ward. They will advise you on:

  • How to stay comfortable during your hospital stay.
  • How to get up and move safely after surgery.
  • Ways to support your recovery and gradually return to your usual activities.

If you need ongoing physiotherapy after your surgery, your consultant or GP can refer you to the NHSGGC pelvic health team.

What can help

Prostate surgery

After your prostate cancer diagnosis and the decision to have Robotic Assisted Removal of Prostate (RARP) surgery, your consultant or clinical nurse specialist will inform the NHSGGC pelvic health team.

You will be invited to attend a pre-surgery appointment at one of the NHSGGC hospitals. This may be offered individually or as part of a group session. The appointment aims to provide information on:

  • How to stay comfortable during your hospital stay.
  • How to get up and move safely after surgery.
  • Education on pelvic floor muscle exercises to help manage any urinary incontinence after surgery.
  • Ways to support your recovery and gradually return to your usual activities.

Post-surgery follow-up

A follow-up appointment will be arranged from six weeks after surgery to monitor your progress. Any additional appointments will depend on your recovery and symptoms.

What can help

How to access our pelvic floor physiotherapy service

A referral letter is required from:

  • Your GP
  • A hospital consultant

FAQs

What is pelvic floor physiotherapy?

Pelvic floor physiotherapy is a specialist NHS service. It helps people with problems affecting the pelvic floor muscles.
These muscles support the bladder, bowel and womb. They help with bladder and bowel control, pelvic organ support and sexual function.

Treatment aims to:

  • Reduce symptoms
  • Improve daily function
  • Help you manage your condition long term
What problems can pelvic floor physiotherapy help with?

Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help people with:

  • Leaking urine
  • Feeling a sudden, urgent need to use the toilet
  • Difficulty controlling your bowels
  • Difficulty emptying your bowels (constipation)
  • A feeling of heaviness, bulging or pressure in the vagina or pelvic area
  • Pain during sexual activity
  • Ongoing problems after pelvic or gynaecological surgery
How do I access pelvic floor physiotherapy?

You usually need a referral. This can be made by:

  • Your GP
  • A hospital consultant
  • Another healthcare professional
Is pelvic floor physiotherapy available on the NHS?

Yes. Pelvic health physiotherapy is an NHS service. Appointments are offered to people who meet the referral criteria.

What happens at my appointment?

Your physiotherapist will:

  • Ask about your symptoms.
  • Ask how your condition affects daily life.
  • Review any relevant medical history.

Your physiotherapist will explain everything clearly. You can ask questions at any time.

Will I need an internal examination?

An internal vaginal or rectal examination may be offered, but it is not required.

  • It only happens with your full consent
  • You can say no
  • You can ask to stop at any time

Your comfort, dignity and privacy will always be respected.

Is pelvic floor physiotherapy painful?

Treatment should not be painful. Some assessments or exercises may feel unfamiliar. Your physiotherapist will work at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

Will I be given exercises?

Many people are given personalised exercises or advice. This may include:

  • Pelvic floor exercises
  • Breathing exercises
  • Bladder or bowel management advice
  • Movement or posture guidance

Your physiotherapist will explain what to do and why it may help.

How many appointments will I need?

This depends on your symptoms and progress. Your physiotherapist will discuss a plan with you and review it regularly.

What should I wear to my appointment?

Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move easily. You do not usually need a full bladder.

Is pelvic floor physiotherapy confidential?

Yes. All appointments are confidential. Your information is handled in line with NHS confidentiality policies.

I feel embarrassed talking about pelvic floor problems

Many people feel like this. Pelvic floor problems are very common. Physiotherapists are trained to talk about sensitive issues in a respectful and supportive way.

How long will it take for my symptoms to improve?

This is different for everyone. Many people notice some improvement within a few weeks, especially if they practise their exercises regularly. For some people, symptoms may take longer to improve, particularly if they have been present for a long time. Your physiotherapist will support you and review your progress throughout your treatment.

Do pelvic floor physiotherapists fit pessaries?

Although some pelvic floor physiotherapists in other health boards fit pessaries, the physiotherapists within NHSGGC do not fit pessaries. These are usually fitted by a consultant, GP or specialist nurse. Your physiotherapist can still provide advice, exercises and support, and can discuss referral options with you if appropriate.

Pelvic floor physiotherapy clinic locations and contact details

Inverclyde Royal Hospital – Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy Department
Level C
Inverclyde Royal Hospital 
Larkfield Road
Greenock PA16 0XN

Call: 01475 504 373

New Stobhill Hospital – Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy Department
Ground Floor
The New Stobhill Hospital
Balornock Road
Glasgow G21 3UW

Call: 0141 355 1642

New Victoria Hospital – Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy Department
Ground Floor
New Victoria Hospital
Grange Road
Glasgow G42 9LF

Call: 0141 347 8685

Princess Royal Maternity Hospital – Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy Department
Level 2
Princess Royal Maternity Hospital 
16 Alexandra Parade
Glasgow G31 2ER

Call: 0141 201 3432

At present we can only accept referrals from up to 6 months post-natal patients who have had their deliveries at this hospital.

Queen Elizabeth University Maternity Hospital – Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy Department
Room 3, 1st Floor Admin Corridor
Maternity Unit
1345 Govan Road
Glasgow G51 4TF

Call: 0141 201 2324

Royal Alexandra Hospital – Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy Department
Ground Floor
Maternity Unit
Royal Alexandra Hospital
Corsebar Road
Paisley PA2 9PN

Call: 0141 314 6765

Vale of Leven Hospital – Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy Department
Vale of Leven Hospital
Main Street 
Alexandria G83 0UA

Call: 01389 817 531

Further Information

Was this helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!

The Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy service is based in hospitals and health-centres across Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

About Us

We’re a team of highly specialised, dedicated staff who provide a comprehensive physiotherapy service for:

  • People during and after pregnancy.
  • People with pelvic floor dysfunction.

Access further information on…

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Did Not Attend and Cancellation Policy

If you fail to answer a telephone or video appointment or fail to attend any face-to-face appointment and don’t contact us within 24 hours, we will discharge you.

If you cancel an appointment on more than 2 occasions, we will discharge you.

To cancel or change your appointment please contact your Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Department with as much notice as possible.

Was this helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!
What is Sex

In the Equality Act 2010 ‘sex’ means a woman or a man or a group of women or men. Sometimes it is hard to understand exactly what is meant by the term ‘sex’ , and how it differs from the closely related term ‘gender’.

Our sex is determined by the sexual organs we are born with – men are born with a penis, women a vagina.

Gender relates to the types of behaviours society expects of men and women. We learn these behaviours as we grow through a range of images and messages given to us by parents, schools, friends and the media. For example, young girls might be given dolls to play with and princess outfits to play in, while boys may be given guns and soldier uniforms.

Society has a set of gender expectations of women and men that differ for each sex. Currently, masculine characteristics are more highly valued than feminine characteristics and world-wide, this ascribes more power and wealth to men than to women. This in turn reinforces sets of behaviour, which have significant implications for the pathways into poor health.

In terms of gender, some people describe themselves as gender fluid or non- binary The difference between gender fluidity and non-binary people is the fact that gender fluidity is one aspect of the non-binary spectrum. A range of people on the gender identity spectrum do not see themselves as male or female. They could be agendered, trans or simply identify as non-binary

Sex and Discrimination

Sex discrimination exists when a person (man or woman) or group of people (men or women) are treated unfairly solely on the basis of their sex. An understanding of gender is important to understanding inequality between women and men. Discrimination on the basis of gender is both subtle and persistent.

Women are expected to be ‘natural carers’ which has led to a huge imbalance in the types of jobs women do, how much they earn, how much housework/ caring they do and disapproval of society if they do not conform to this stereotype.

Men are expected to be ‘strong’ and unemotional, and they can often experience barriers when seeking jobs that require a degree of caring or empathy. Their masculinity can single them out for additional duties that rely on physical capacity rather than capacity to care.

There is a very serious side to this imposed difference. It means that women consistently earn less than men throughout their lives and often live in poverty when they are older. This lack of economic power has also meant that women have less power in society and less access to positions of power in politics.

In most cases we grow up feeling a sense of comfort or acceptance with our gender (as prescribed by biological sex at birth). However, a small number of us (around 1 in 11,500) find as we grow our prescribed gender is so different from our internal sense of where we exist in relation to being a boy/girl, man/women that we express a wish to live in the opposite, more appropriate gender. In Scotland, those of us experiencing this are referred to as ‘transgender people’ also covered by the Equality Act 2010.

Some people describe themselves as non-binary – not seeing themselves as male or female. In recognition that non-binary people experience extreme levels of discrimination in Scotland, the Scottish Government set up a working grouo in 2021

What is sex discrimination? – a short film by the Equality & Human Rights Commission

Sex and Other Protected Characteristics

Sex differences cut across all the other protected characteristics such as age, race and social class.

For example:

  • Male life expectancy is six years lower than for females across NHSGGC
  • In NHSGGC, there is a nine-year gap in male life expectancy between East Dunbartonshire (77.7 years) and North Glasgow (68.6 years)
  • Asian women aged between 15-35 are two to three times more vulnerable to suicide and self harm than their non-Asian counterparts
  • Retired women and lone parents are most at risk of poverty and average incomes of women in work are lower

Other inequality issues can prevent people from receiving health services and treatment appropriate to their sex. For example, some disabled women have been told that they do not need cervical smear tests because of assumptions about their sexual behaviour.

Why sex matters to health

NHS evidence has shown that treating women and men the same, without considering the differences between them, means that underlying sex-related links to health problems are ignored and patients’ health needs are not met. 

The National Advisory Council on Women and Girls recognises that gender discrimination affects women and their health and actions are outlined in government policy. The health and societal differences for women and men are shown in the examples below-

  • Women are more likely to live in poverty, be lone parents, experience abuse and  have less access to citizenship opportunities than men, due to historical gender stereotyping in society. This affect health differently during the life course.
  • One in four women are likely to experience domestic abuse over their life course and that prevalence rates for child sexual abuse are estimated at around 21% of girls and 7% of boys.
  • Men are more likely to participate in risk-taking behaviour which leads to premature mortality and to use their power to commit acts of violence and abuse which affect themselves and women and children of both sexes.
  • Men are also less likely than women to participate in health improvement activity or to present to primary care in the early stages of illness.
  • Where men have experienced abuse in childhood, this experience can manifest itself in a range of health and social problems in both childhood and adulthood but is often not identified as part of medical presentations.
  • Women still tend to have multiple social roles as employees, as carers and as the primary managers of households. This imposes stresses that can have physical and psychological impacts on their health.
  • Some diseases have been seen solely as ‘women’s’ or ‘men’s’ diseases due to gendered biases in medical research, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment (e.g. heart disease – leading cause of mortality in UK women but still seen as a ‘male disease’)

Other examples of where gender expectations affect health are:

  • In NHSGGC, like the whole of Scotland, women are between two and two and a half times more likely to report experiencing depression and anxiety than men.
  • Suicide rates are almost three times higher in men than in women.
  • Men are more likely than women to die of injuries outside the home.
  • The gap between women’s and men’s smoking rates is changing, with more young girls taking up the habit than boys.
  • Young men aged 16-24 are most at risk of becoming a victim of violent crime
How we are addressing sex issues

‘A Fairer NHSGGC 2025-29 – Meeting the requirements of Equality Legislation’ sets out what the organisation is doing to ensure it meets its responsibilities to promote gender equality and remove sex discrimination across all its services and functions. Most actions in this document involve addressing issues around sex. In addition, actions on closing the health gap between affluent and deprived communities in NHSGGC take into account the different needs of women and men.

Some examples of actions include:

  • Equality Impact Assessments undertaken throughout NHSGGC has a strong gender element
  • An NHSGGC Gender-based Violence Action Plan has been in place for a number of years
  • Sex issues are key within Human Resources workforce equality actions (e.g. Equal Pay Audit, Audit of family friendly policies)
People’s Experiences

John’s Story

John is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. Now in his 40s, he has struggled to cope throughout adulthood with the experience and knowledge of being abused and has felt that many areas of his life have been negatively affected.

“I’d lost family, friends and jobs – that one major incident was affecting my whole life. I knew I needed help to stop the slide, so I spoke to my GP.

“I was referred to nine different counsellors. None of them specialised in childhood sexual abuse issues. After listening to me talking about my abuse experience, they would pass me on to another counsellor.”

The whole experience left John extremely depressed and contributed to a major breakdown.

John finally contacted Thrive, a counselling service for adult male survivors of childhood sexual abuse which is part of the Sandyford Initiative – NHSGGC’s sexual, reproductive and emotional health service.

“The initial telephone contact was really helpful – the person I spoke to was very supportive and put me at my ease. At my appointment, they explained how the counselling service would be run. They told me that counselling could take a long time and I appreciated that, I didn’t want to be kidded on.

“Hearing those words (‘we can help you’) made such a difference.   When I left I cried all the way to the Underground, I was just so full of relief and happiness.”

Dr Rosie Ilett, Head of Planning and Partnerships at Sandyford, developed the original funding application for Thrive and appreciates the importance of gender sensitivity in services. “Thrive has been developed because we know that many men have real difficulties seeking professional help about sensitive issues – it’s just not considered ‘manly’.   Experience of abuse can test men to breaking point.   Understanding what makes men tick and the barriers that living up to a stereotype of masculinity can impose on them helps our counsellors work effectively with the most challenging cases and start the healing process”.

Thrive is based at the Sandyford Initiative in Glasgow. Men can access the service by calling the direct line on 0141 211 8133 or visit the Sandyford Initiative website at: www.sandyford.scot

Add info here…

Support and Resources

Was this helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!
What is Race & Ethnicity?

Ethnicity refers to a common group identity based on language, culture, religion or other social characteristics. This means that people define their own ethnicity, that everyone (and not just those in minorities) has ethnicity and that a person’s ethnic identity may change over time. For example some people might describe themselves as Scottish Chinese.

Race is the group you belong to, or are perceived to belong to, in the light of a limited range of physical factors. The term ‘race’ should be used in relation to legislation only and not to describe people who belong to an ethnic group.

The term BME is often used within the public sector. It’s an abbreviated term for Black and Minority Ethnic and is often used to describe people from minority ethnic groups, particular those who have suffered racism or are in the minority because of their skin colour and/or ethnicity.

Race and Ethnicity and Discrimination

Racism refers to the combined use of power with racial prejudice (the belief that some races are inferior to others) which leads to the oppression or discrimination of specific racial or ethnic groups.

Racism can be detected through attitudes, processes, behaviours and actions which impact on any ethnic group/s and can lead to differences in education and employment opportunities, living conditions and health. We all have an ethnicity.

The Equality Act is designed to ensure that large public organisations like NHSGGC promote race equality and challenge discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, nationality (including citizenship), ethnic or national origins. We are required to;

  1. eliminate unlawful racial discrimination;
  2. promote equality of opportunity; and
  3. promote good relations between people of different racial groups.

Following is a short film by the Equality & Human Rights Commission titled ‘What is race discrimination?’.

Race and Ethnicity and Other Protected Characteristics

Racism can be intensified by other forms of discrimination, for example on the basis of sex, disability, age and social class.

  1. Maternal mortality for Black women is currently almost four times higher than for white women. Significant disparities also exist for women of Asian and mixed ethnicity.
  2. Women from the South Asian community are less likely to attend breast cancer screening.
  3. Reports have shown that a disproportionate number of people from minority ethnic groups in Scotland experience poverty after housing costs, with figures often exceeding one-third, compared to the ‘White – British’ group
Why Race and Ethnicity matters to Health

Race and ethnicity affect people’s health in a number of ways. Our ethnic background can affect our susceptibility to certain diseases and conditions. There is also a clear link between discrimination and health and implications for the way in which health services should be provided.

For example:

  1. Black and Minority Ethnic Scots are significantly more likely to live in poverty compared to white British people in Scotland, with rates differing substantially. Research consistently shows higher rates of poverty for BME groups, with figures around 34-39% for Asian and Mixed/Black/Black British individuals compared to 18% for White British people. This is linked to socio-economic disadvantage and creates barriers to health and social care
  2. One third of black and minority ethnic people in Scotland report experiencing racial discrimination. Racially motivated hate crimes are the most reported type of hate crime.
  3. Gypsy/Travellers are more likely to report long-term health conditions than the general population. They are also twice as likely to report three or more categories of health conditions. 

How we are addressing Race and Ethnicity issues

How we are addressing race issues

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is committed to becoming a leading anti-racism organisation.

The delivery of an Anti-Racism Plan is a key outcome in the ‘Fairer NHSGGC 2025-29’ report – which explains how the organisation is meeting the requirements of equality legislation. It brings together our existing anti-racism work and our planned new activities in a single document.

Our current areas of work include:

Access to Services

National evidence shows the BME community experience additional barriers in accessing health and social care services.

We have been working intensively with two services – diabetes and pain management/physiotherapy – to improve access for BME patients. The learning from this has helped develop a Equality Sensitive Patient Pathway for NHSGGC as a whole.

Following consultation with staff and patients current actions include –

Review all patient information for readability and accessibility
Develop information routes for those with lower health literacy around pain
Explore how the opt-in service accommodates the needs of those from BME communities specifically
Develop a route for non-English speakers to ask for advice outwith appointment times via direct patient access to telephone interpreting
Understand how therapeutic group work can work best whilst utilising spoken language interpreters.

Perinatal Care

National evidence indicates marginalised groups, in particular, BME pregnant women; women living in poverty and those experiencing gender based violence, fair worse in accessing and using maternity services.

A local baseline research was conducted with patients, maternity and third sector staff to assess current issues for marginalised groups using NHSGGC maternity services. A review of best practice interventions was also carried out. The focus of the work has been to look at the patient journey through maternity and identify any barriers for BME women.

Actions identified so far to address these issues include –

Develop a leaflet in multiple languages to describe each stage of the maternity pathway, how to access support and highlight emergency routes
Explore how to maximise the value of ante natal classes for non-English speakers
Develop training for Maternity Staff on meeting the needs of BME women throughout our pathway
Develop a route for non-English speakers to ask for advice outwith appointment times through direct patient access to telephone interpreting.

Interpreting service

Interpreting services address a number of risks for both service users and staff. For example, patients who have a limited understanding of English:

  • may not be able to give informed consent
  • may not be able to ask questions or seek assistance
  • may not be aware of what services are available to them
  • may not be able to use medication properly or follow care plans
  • may come from cultures with different understandings of health and illness
  • may not understand how to use NHS services
  • may not understand their rights and responsibilities within the healthcare system

Ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to engage in the health care process benefits all concerned.In addition, equalities legislation stipulates that the organisation must be pro-active in ensuring that this is the case.

NHSGGC’s in-house interpreting service provides interpreters to NHS patients on request. The service is available to a wide range of service areas and departments, including hospital wards, outpatient clinics, medical practices, dental surgeries,pharmacies and opticians located throughout the NHSGGC area.

‘Clear to All’ Accessible Information Policy

Effective information and communication are vital for the provision of high-quality services and care. Many of those who access services have difficulty understanding the information provided. An Accessible Information Policy has been produced to ensure that all information can be made available in various languages and formats to meet the needs of our diverse community.

A toolkit for staff has been developed which helps to provide information and support in the development of accessible information for NHS patients, their carers and the public. The toolkit aims to ensure that the material we develop is clear, consistent with NHSGGC guidance, accurate and in everyday language.

Details are available on the ‘Clear to All’ Accessible Information Policy web page.

Stand Against Racism Campaign

Our workplace should be a place where discrimination is unacceptable and where everyone has the chance to thrive, regardless of their background or identity.

Our anti-racism campaign is based on the words of our own staff from their experiences at work. NHSGGC is an inclusive employer and there is no place for racism in our services.

People’s Experiences

Briony’s Story

Briony is part of the travelling people’s community and has lived in Scotland all her life.

Briony and her family have lived on the caravan site for 8 of the last 10 years. They were there for three years, moved into a flat for two years, and then have been back at the site for the last five years. When they moved into the flat it was mostly due to her health problems, but they also felt like maybe they would want a change and settle in for a little while. But after a couple of years, they wanted to move back to the caravan site because that is who they are and it was where they wanted to be.

She tells about how it was for her and her family to register with the local surgery when they first moved to the caravan site. There was not just one doctor’s surgery for everyone on the site, so all of the people living there were allocated to different surgeries. Briony herself went around to all of the local surgeries to see if she could register with one, but none would take them on. “They kept telling me ‘you aren’t from this area, so we can’t take you. She had to wait to get a letter from NHS telling her which surgery they had been allocated to and where to go before she could register.

When they moved into the flat, they didn’t have any problem registering with a surgery, and everyone was really nice to her. When asked why she thought there were no problems with getting registered and why they were nice, she says, “Oh, I couldn’t speak for them. But it could because I was in a flat at the time and not from the caravan site. This surgery was one of the ones I went around to when we were first at the caravan site and they said they wouldn’t take us on. But when we were in the flat, they would.

“I‘m still with that surgery now, even though we’ve moved back to the site. And they are still nice”.

Support and Resources

Was this helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!

The Equality Act says you must not be discriminated against in employment because you are married or in a civil partnership.

In the Equality Act marriage and civil partnership means someone who is legally married or in a civil partnership. Marriage can either be between a man and a woman, or between partners of the same sex. Civil partnership is between partners of the same sex.

Following is a short film by the Equality & Human Rights Commission titled ‘What is marriage & civil partnerships discrimination?’.

Was this helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!

Further Education & Partnerships

Was this helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!
Contact Information

Address

The Restart Recovery Project (Main Office) 
Hathaway Business Centre 
21 – 29 Hathaway Street, Maryhill, Glasgow G20 8TD

Steven Krausen – Project Manager 

Sandra Moran – Charge Nurse 

Our Office Locations

Restart Recovery Project 

152 Wellshot Road, Glasgow G20 8TD
Telephone: 0141 551 5047

The Restart Recovery Project (Main Office) 

Hathaway Business Centre 
21 – 29 Hathaway Street, Maryhill, Glasgow G20 8TD

Was this helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!

Articles

Social Media

Check out our Facebook page to see some of the work provided by our trainees.

Was this helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!

About the Restart Recovery Project

Who the project is for?

Restart Recovery is an NHSGGC mental health project that works in conjunction with Community Mental Health Teams, in patient and specialist service in the GCHSCP. The main focus of the project is to offer recovery based support to those living with severe and enduring mental health conditions. Trainees are given the opportunity to take part in various vocational training activities.

Each trainee is assigned a Recovery Skills Facilitator who will work with them to set goals and personal development plans. Trainees will also be able to access support from Psychiatric Nurses and Instructors.

At Restart we can offer individuals the opportunity to:

  • Have a greater sense of hope for the future
  • Increase self belief and build resilience
  • Learn new vocational skills
  • Greater feelings of social inclusion
  • Support on your recovery journey.
How to apply to join the Restart Recovery Project

If you wish to refer somebody to the Restart Recovery project they MUST be a patient in a Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) inpatient, specialist service or attached to secondary mental health services in GCHSCP. Please refer using our projects referral form – click below for download. 

Referral forms can be returned electronically to the projects email address.

Email: restart.project@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Client Testimonial

“I came along to Restart to have some structure and work on an interest that I had in Digital Photography, also to be in the company of others as I was feeling isolated. I was struggling on a daily basis feeling down and not having anything to look forward too. Having spent time attending the project and taking part in photography and picture framing I am feeling better both mentally and physically, I have some focus in my life, feel less isolated and my confidence is growing. I would recommend Restart as it takes your mind of your mental health problems, gives you some routine and a sense of purpose”.

Quote by current Restart trainee

Further Information

Was this helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!

What is Age?

Unlike other equality strands age does not refer to a discrete group. We have all been young and will all hopefully become old. Age equality means people of every age can take part in society with respect for differences related to their age.

Age may refer to actual or perceived age – based on appearance or assumptions.

Age and Discrimination

Ageism can be very subtle but is common throughout society; it can affect wellbeing, damage confidence and create exclusion. Individuals can be subject to assumptions and different treatment based on their age or perceived age, no matter how old or young they are.

Older people in particular, are subject to stigma, prejudice and social isolation. Older people are often also the poorest in society, and some are vulnerable to abuse. 

Children and young people can also be discriminated against and are viewed with suspicion by society. Their lack of power means that their views are often ignored and they are also vulnerable to abuse.

Discrimination arises either because difference is ignored and therefore people’s needs are not met or difference is recognised but forms the basis of unfavourable treatment or stereotyping.

Age equality means that age should not be used to define or presume anything about the role, value or potential of an individual.

The following video is a short film by the Equality & Human Rights Commission titled ‘What is Age Discrimination’.

Age and Other Protected Characteristics

Age and Other Protected Characteristics

Age discrimination links to other forms of discrimination- 

  • Older people, especially older women are often on low incomes. This is caused by a combination of factors including the state pension not being linked to earnings and women being less likely to have occupational pensions of sufficient level.
  • Disability increases with age, especially visual impairment and blindness. Approximately three quarters of those registered blind or partially sighted in Scotland are aged 65 or over.
  • Young people may be discriminated from exploring their sexuality and their gender identity by their family, at school or in hospital. LGBTQ+ young people may be less likely to express their sexuality or their gender identity due to fear of discrimination from family, friends and other young people. This can lead to low self-esteem and serious long-term negative health effects e.g. anxiety, depression and feeling suicidal.
  • Peer pressure can result in young people concealing their religious beliefs or practices, while overt symbols of faith make young people more likely to be victims of race and religious hate crime.
  • Ageing may further reduce the ability to communicate for those for whom English is not their first language.
  • Teenage women living in areas of highest deprivation are four times more likely to become pregnant than those in the least deprived areas. Teenage women from the most deprived areas are more likely to deliver than to terminate their pregnancy. In contrast, those from the least deprived areas are more likely to terminate than to deliver their pregnancy.
  • The health of older people in Scotland varies according to social circumstances. The gap in life expectancy between the most affluent and deprived communities has widened significantly in the last 40 years, particularly among males. Life expectancy has either stopped increasing or has decreased in almost all council areas since 2012-2014.
  • Emergency hospital admissions due to unintentional injuries are significantly higher for children living in the most deprived areas, with rates around 40% or more for some groups.
Why age matters to health

Older People

Long life is a sign of good health, and the ageing of the world’s population is an indicator of improving health worldwide. Although there are no specific conditions or illnesses associated with ‘being old’, the older people get the more likely they may be to experience a range of different conditions such as chronic disease, cancer and disability and to experience more than one of these together.

Increased protection for adults at risk of harm or neglect is in place through the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007. While the Act defines adults at risk as those aged 16 years and over, it provides protection to many older people with cognitive impairments such as dementia.

Young People

Healthcare, lifestyle and experience in childhood and adolescence have a significant impact on physical and mental health in later life. Certain conditions particularly affect young people, such as some inherited problems, accidents and injury and sexual and mental health issues, or they may have different experiences of conditions which affect all ages.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)  sets out the essential rights of all children. The UNCRC Bill became law in Scotland in 2024 and is used as a framework to ensure that we consider children and young people’s rights whenever we make decisions that may impact on them and to help provide every child with a good start in life and a safe, healthy childhood. It forms the basis of our national approach for supporting children, called Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC). Fulfilling children’s rights is also critical to our commitment to #KeepThePromise that all care experienced children and young people will grow up loved, safe and respected.

All Ages

Traditional assumptions about age related conditions are increasingly being challenged. People with conditions previously associated with childhood, e.g. cystic fibrosis, severe physical disability, are increasingly surviving into adulthood. Similarly, younger people may suffer from conditions previously associated with ‘old age’ such as dementia or the need for social care and support.

Age Discrimination and Health

Age discrimination in health can lead to inappropriate treatment, misdiagnosis or reluctance from patients to get involved with health services. It may take some of the following forms:

  • Stereotyping of old age as being automatically linked to ill-health
  • Low expectations of older people’s mental capacity, leading to inappropriate behaviour or symptoms not being believed.
  • Health or social care support or treatments having upper or lower age limits.
  • Lack of support or time for meals, resulting in undernourishment
  • Young people being placed in adult wards
  • Information not produced with age group in mind
  • Judgemental attitudes
  • Confidentiality and anonymity not respected
  • Abuse or neglect of older or young people, in hospitals, care settings or at home
  • Denial of the right to make choices about health and personal affairs
How we are addressing age issues

How we are addressing age issues

NHSGGC is working to ensure no-one using our services is discriminated against on grounds of age or any other protected characteristic.

We are also working to raise awareness of the nature of direct and indirect age discrimination and our responsibilities under equalities legislation. We will do this by improving education and training of healthcare professionals on the effects of ageism in clinical care and care settings and by improving patient and carer experience of discharge planning.

Patients aged 81 and older are less likely than younger patients to feel they have been given adequate information about their discharge and what to do about their health if they are worried after leaving hospital. A Fairer NHSGGC 2025-29 highlights our plans to ensure that all people and carers are routinely involved in discharge planning and decisions as part of person centred care.

This will be supported by the application of the Frontline Equality Assessment Tool (FEAT) which has been designed to assess inequalities sensitive practice within frontline services. This involves checking the patient information collected, how communication support is assessed and knowledge of protected characteristic related issues as well as the impact on discharge planning. Within NHSGGC’s frontline services the use of FEAT will contribute to the recognition and sharing of good practice as well as highlighting where improvements in services can be made.

Overall service planning is increasingly taking account of the changing age profile of the population and the impact this will have on demand for services. Awareness of the need to ensure age equality within our services informs this planning process. However, there are circumstances where a targeted approach to specific age groups is appropriate both when providing services and when consulting and involving individuals. For example, Sandyford sexual health services have been designed to ensure that they are accessible to young people and have the confidence of young people.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)  sets out the essential rights of all children. The UNCRC Bill became law in Scotland in 2024 and is used as a framework to ensure that we consider children and young people’s rights whenever we make decisions that may impact on them.   NHSGGC has incorporated the principles of the new law into our Equality Impact Assessments which are used to ensure our services and policies are meeting the requirements of equality law.

Support and Resources

Was this helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!