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Patient Information

Patient Bedside Folder

We have produced a bedside folder containing helpful information for patients on all aspects of their hospital stay. Patients can download this document here:

Bedside Folder

Patient Information Library

We are currently developing our online patient information library, where GPs and patients can will be able to download department, specialty, condition and treatment-related literature. Browse the library here.

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If you can't find the information you are looking for, please email communications@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk with your requirements and we will do our best to help you.

Translation Services

We can provide translated information on request. Please email communications@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk for more information.

You can also use the Google Translate facility to translate information. Please be aware that this online facility may not accurately translate complex medical information. If you have any concerns, please contact your hospital specialist or GP surgery. Access Google Translate here.

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If you would like to provide feedback or comments about the information you received as a patient or relative of a patient at Bedford Hospital, please email communications@bedfordhospital.nhs.uk

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Patient Information Library Contents

Please note, those leaflets marked as 'only available within the hospital' are provided to the hospital by external supplier EIDO. They can be made available to patients by hospital staff.

A

Accident and Emergency

 
The Emergency Department
Accident and Emergency: Know Your Medication
 

Anaesthetics

Please contact the department for more information or access to copies of the leaflet

Anticoagulation

Advice for Patients
Postal Advice System

Audiology

Deaf and Social Clubs in Bedford
ESMS leaflet (Emergency SMS texting)
Help with Tinnitus
How to help a Hearing Impaired Person Understand You
How to Understand Conversation Better if you have a Hearing Impairment
Introduction to the Adult Hearing Aid Service
Lip Reading Hints & Strategies
POhWER Deaf drop-in sessions
Sudden Hearing Loss
Local Deaf Clubs
Access to Work
What is Lip Reading?

B

Breast

 
Arimidex (anastrozole)
Axillary Clearance
Bone health
Breast cancer family history clinic questionnaire
Breast pain
Breast surgery: your admission to hospital
Breast patients discharged with redivac drains
Discharge instructions for Mr Charfare's patients
Duct clearance or microdochectomy
Excision biopsy breast lump (fibroadenomas)
Hot flushes
Information, help and advice for patients with breast cancer
Localisation and wide local excision and sentinel node biopsy +axillary/clearance
Localisation and wide local excision (B3 lesion)
Localisation and wide local excision (DCIS)
Lymphoedema and arm care
Male mastectomy and axillary clearance
Mastectomy and axillary clearance
Mastectomy and sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy and axillary sampling/clearance
Changing a Redivac bottle- information for district nurses
Re-excision and sentinel node biopsy +/- sample/clearance
Re-excision +/- clearance
Re-excision to clear margins
Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy +/- axillary sample/clearance
Simple mastectomy
Things to bring into hospital
Wide excision of the nipple and areola complex and SLN biopsy axillary sampling +/- clearance
Wide local excision
Wide local excision and axillary clearance
Wide local excision SLN biopsy +/- axillary sample/clearance

C

 

Cardiothoratic

Please contact the department for more information or access to copies of the leaflet

Lung Cancer (Treatment Options) (only available within the hospital)
Thoracoscopy (only available within the hospital)
Pleural Biopsy and Drainage (only available within the hospital)
Lung Cancer Surgery (only available within the hospital)

 

Colorectal Surgery

Please contact the department for more information or access to copies of the leaflet

Surgery for Anal Fistula (only available within the hosptial)
Closure of Loop Ileostomy (only available within the hosptial)
Closure of Loop Colostomy (only available within the hosptial)
Sigmoid Colectomy for Diverticular Disease (only available within the hosptial)
Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy (only available within the hosptial)
Haemorrhoidectomy (only available within the hosptial)

 

Contraception


(Link to the FPA): Emergency Contraception
(Link to the FPA): Your Guide to Contraception
(Link to the FPA): Your Guide to Contraceptive Choices – After you’ve had your Baby
(Link to the FPA): Bodyworks: Your Guide to Understanding Reproduction
(Link to the FPA): The Combined Pill
( Link to the FPA): The Progestogen-only Pill
(Link to the FPA): The Contraceptive Patch
( Link to the FPA): The Contraceptive Vaginal Ring
(Link to the FPA): Male and Female Condoms
(Link to the FPA): Diaphragms and Caps
(Link to the FPA): The Contraceptive Implant
(Link to the FPA): Contraceptive Injections
(Link to the FPA): The IUD
(Link to the FPA): The IUS
( Link to the FPA): Natural Family Planning
(Link to the FPA): Male and Female Sterilisation

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D


Dermatology

 
Allergy to Balsam of Peru
Allergy to Benzocaine
Allergy to Bronopol
Allergy to Budesonide
Allergy to Chlorocresol
Allergy to Cobalt
Allergy to Colophony
Allergy to Epoxy Resin
Allergy to Ethylenediamine
Allergy to Euxyl K400
Allergy to Formaldehyde
Allergy to Fragrance Mix
Allergy to IPPD
Allergy to Isothiazoline
Allergy to Lanolin
Allergy to Mercapto Mix
Allergy to Methylmethacrylate
Allergy to Neomycin Allergy
Allergy to Nickel Sulfate
Allergy to Octyl Gallate
Allergy to Parabens
Allergy to Paratertiarybutylphenolformaldehyde Resin
Allergy to Potassium Dichromate or Dichromate
Allergy to Primula
Allergy to Quaternium 15
Allergy to Quinolines
Allergy to Sorbitan Sesquioleate
Allergy to Thiuram
Allergy to Tixocortyl Pivalate
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Contact Dermitis
House Dust Mite Reduction
Information for patients undergoing surgery for skin cancer
Information for Patients with Negative Patch Tests
List of Patch Test Ingredients
Pigmanorm Cream
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Treatment with Efudix Cream
Urticaria
 

E

Ear Nose and Throat

 
A Lump in your Thyroid Gland
Allergic Rhinitis
Broken Nose
Caring for your Voice
Cautery & Nasal Packing
Epistaxis (nosebleeds)
Keeping the Ear Dry
Myringoplasty
Nasal Polypectomy
Otitis Externa
Quinsy
Severe One-Sided Hearing Loss
Sub Mucosal Resection of Septum of Nose (SMR)
Vertigo
 

Endoscopy

 
Discharge advice: Bronchoscopy
Discharge advice: Colonoscopy
Discharge advice: Gastroscopy and Dilatation
Discharge advice: Gastroscopy Banding of Varices
Discharge advice:Gastroscopy with Sedation
Discharge advice: Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy
Discharge advice:Sigmoidoscopy without Sedation
Discharge advice:Sigmoidoscopy with Sedation
Discharge advice:Naso-endoscopy with Sedation
Discharge advice:Naso-endoscopy with Nasal Spray
Discharge advice:Gastroscopy with Throat Spray
Having a Colonoscopy
Having a Flexible Cystoscopy
Having a Flexible Sigmiodoscopy
Having a Gastroscopy
Having an ERCP
Having Your PEG Removed
 

F

G

Gynaecology

 

 Advice on Discharge
Advice on Discharge - Laparoscopy
Advice on Discharge following Major Adominal Vaginal Surgery
Basic Tips for Bladder Training
Cervical Cautery
Chlamydia
Colposcopy
Colposcopy Clinic
Colposuspension
Detrusor Instability
Dilatation and Curettage
Drainage of Bartholins Cyst
Ectopic Pregnancy
Following a cervical biopsy
Going Home with a Catheter
Gynaecology Nurse Specialist
Gynaecology: Preparing for your Operation
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
Hydatidiform Mole
Hysterosalpingogram
Incomplete Miscarriage Advice
Information Following Treatment with Cryocautery
Information following Treatment with Silver Nitrate
L aparoscopy
Laparoscopy and Dye Test
Laparoscopic Sterilisation
Laparoscopic Surgery for Ectopic Pregnancy (key hole surgery)
Laparoscopic (key-hole) Surgery for Ovaries and Fallopian Tubes
Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy and Bilateral Salpingo Oophorectomy
Lichen Sclerosus
Loop diathermy aftercare
Medical Evacuation of Uterus (Incomplete)
Medical Evacuation of Uterus Aftercare
Medical Management of Miscarriage (First Trimester)
MIRENA and Heavy Periods
MIRENA Intrauterine System (IUS)
Miscarriage-what happens next?
Orchard Gynaecology Leaflet - Your operation
Outpatient Hysteroscopy
Patient information following biopsy
Post treatment advice following large loop excision of the transformation zone (lletz)
Pelvic Floor Muscles (exercises)
Pregnancy of Uncertain Viability
Pregnancy of Unknown Location
Rhesus Babies
Sacrocolpopexy
Short Stay Medical Management of Miscarriage
Sterilisation
Surgical Treatment Following Miscarriage
Taking your Clomifene or Tamoxifen Tablets
Tension Free Vaginal Tape Procedure
Termination of Pregnancy: Surgical
Termination of Pregnancy: Medical, short stay
Termination of Pregnancy: First trimester Mifegyne treatment
Termination of Pregnancy: Mid-trimester Mifegyne treatment
Threatened Miscarriage
Total Abdominal Hysterectomy
Vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy
Vaginal Hysterectomy
Vaginal Infections, Trust and Bacterial Vaginosis
Vaginal Repair Operation
Vulval Biopsy

H

I

Infection Contol

 

MRSA
Clostridium difficile
ESBL
 Norovirus
MRSA Screening; What to Expect
MRSA Screening; MRSA Positive

J

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K

L

 

M

Maternity

A Guide to Antenatal Tests
Anti D
Carrying Beta Thalassemia
Carrying Haemoglobin C
Carrying Haemoglobin D
Carrying Haemoglobin E
Carrying Haemoglobin Lepore
Carrying Haemoglobin O Arab
Carrying Haemoglobin S (Sickle Cell)
Dilated Fetal Renal Pelves
Going Home from the Neonatal Unit
Healthy Weight in Pregnancy
Homebirth
Induction of Labour
Monitoring Congenital Anomalies
Patient Information Amniocentesis
Pelvic Floor
The Acorn Suite
The Latent Phase of Labour
Vaginal Birth After Caesarean Section
Vitamin K
Where to have your baby?
Your 18 - 21 week ultrasound scan
Your Baby’s Eye Test
Your Guide to Casarean Section
 

N

Nutrition and Dietetics

 
100 Calorie boosters
Increasing calorie intake by 500-100kcal
Constipation
Dementia: Making mealtimes manageable
Diarhoea
Finger foods
Fortified diet
Long-term fortified diet; getting the balance right
Mouth problems
Nourishing drinks
Overcoming barriers to eating
Poor appetite
Pressure ulcers
Puree diet
Supplement drinks
Snacks and recipes
Soft diet
Vitamin D & Your Health 
Healthy eating; getting the balance right
Getting the most from nutritional supplements
Keeping hydrated
Healthy Eating at Christmas
Poor Appetite, Losing Weight?
Suitable Milks for Infants and Children with Cow’s Milk Allergy
 

O
 

Oncology

 
 

Oral and Maxillio Facial

 
Removing Wisdom Teeth (only available within the hospital)
 

Orthopaedics

 
Arthroscopy of the Knee (only available within the hospital)
ACL Reconstruction (only available within the hospital)
Carpal Tunnel Release (under Local Anaesthetic) (only available within the hospital)
Dupuytrens Fasciectomy (only available within the hospital)
Bunion Surgery (only available within the hospital)
 

Orthotics

 
 

Ophthalmology (eye clinic)

 

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P

Paediatrics

Domperidone to increase Breast Milk Production

Patient Information (General)

Pre Operative Assessment

 

Physiotherapy

 Crutches Information Sheet
Fischer Sticks Information Sheet
Walking Frame Information Sheet
Walking Sticks Information Sheet

Q

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R

Respiatory Medicine

 
BCG and Tuberculosis (English) (leaflet supplied by TB Alert)
 BCG and Tuberculosis (Gujarati) (leaflet supplied by TB Alert)

S

Same Sex Accommodation ( Privacy and Dignity)

Sexual Health

The GUM Clinic
(Link to FPA): Chlamydia
(Link to FPA): Genital herpes
(Link to FPA) Genital warts
(Link to FPA): Gonorrhoea
(Link to FPA): HIV
(Link to FPA): Non-specific urethritis
(Link to FPA): Pubic lice and scabies
(Link to FPA): Syphilis
(Link to FPA): Trichomonas vaginalis
( Link to FPA): Thrush and Bacterial vaginosis
 

Surgery

 
Open Inguinal Hernia Repair (male) (only available within the hospital)
Paraumbilical and Umbilical Hernia Repair (only available within the hospital)
Femoral Hernia Repair (only available within the hospital)
Open Incisional Hernia Repair (only available within the hospital)
Removing Benign Skin Lesions (under Local Anaesthetic) (only available within the hospital)
Abscess Incision and Drainage (only available within the hospital)
Thyroidectomy (for Nodule) (only available within the hospital)
Thyroidectomy (for Goitre) (only available within the hospital)
Sub-Total Thyroidectomy (for Thyrotoxicosis) (only available within the hospital)
Open Inguinal Hernia Repair (female) (only available within the hospital)
Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair (TAPP) (only available within the hospital)
Parathyroidectomy (only available within the hospital)
Surgery for Pilonidal Sinus (only available within the hospital)
Total Thyroidectomy (for Thyrotoxicosis) (only available within the hospital)

T

U

Upper Gastrointestinal

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (only available within the hospital)
GI: Open Cholecystectomy (only available within the hospital)

Urology


Day Case Prostrate Surgery
Going Home after Gyrus Prostate Surgery
TURP (only available within the hospital)
Surgery for Benign Scrotal Lumps (only available within the hospital)
Circumcision (adult) (only available within the hospital)
Rigid Cystoscopy (male) (only available within the hospital)
Flexible Cystoscopy (male) (only available within the hospital)
Transrectal Ultrasound & Prostate Biopsy
TURBT (only available within the hospital)
Undergoing a Trial Without Catheter (TWOC)
Urethrotomy (only available within the hospital)
Rigid Cystoscopy (female) (only available within the hospital)
Flexible Cystoscopy (female) (only available within the hospital)
Exercising the Pelvic Floor Muscles
What is Detrusor Instability?

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V

Vascular

 
Femoro-Popliteal Bypass Surgery (only available within the hospital)
Varicose Veins Surgery (only available within the hospital)
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair (only available within the hospital)
Above-Knee Amputation (only available within the hospital)
Below-Knee Amputation (only available within the hospital)
Aortic Aneurysm Leaflet
Arteriogram Leaflet
Carotid Leaflet
Claudication Leaflet
EVAR
False Aneurysm Leaflet
Foam Leaflet
Inguinal Hernia Leaflet
Lower Limb Bypass Leaflet
NICE Patient Info Foam Sclerotherapy
V05 Above-Knee Amputation
V06 Below-Knee Amputation
Varicose Veins Leaflet

W

X

Y

Z

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