Procedure guides
Procedure, test & treatment guides
Search any procedure, scan, test or treatment — in everyday words or the medical name. Each guide is plain-English, source-linked and clearly marked while in clinical review. No clinic pays to appear, and we publish no pricing.
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24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM))A small cuff and recorder worn for about a day that takes regular blood pressure readings while you go about normal life, to confirm or rule out high blood pressure.24-hour pH / impedance monitoring (Ambulatory 24-hour oesophageal pH and impedance monitoring)A test that records how much acid and fluid comes up from the stomach into the gullet over 24 hours or more, used to confirm reflux and link it to your symptoms.
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Abdominal pain assessment (Rapid assessment of acute abdominal pain)A same-day medical assessment to find out what is causing recent or severe tummy pain in someone who is stable, after an emergency cause has been ruled out.Abdominoperineal resection (removing the rectum and anus) (Abdominoperineal resection (APR))An operation to remove the lower rectum, the anus and the back-passage muscles, usually for a very low cancer, leaving a permanent colostomy (stoma).Ablation of liver tumours (heat treatment) (Radiofrequency / microwave ablation of liver tumours)A scan-guided treatment that uses heat from a fine needle-like probe to destroy small liver tumours without removing them, used when surgery is not the best option.Abscess incision and drainage (Incision and drainage of a skin abscess)A small procedure to cut open a skin abscess so the trapped pus can drain out, relieving pain and helping the infection settle.Achilles tendon repair (Surgical repair of a ruptured Achilles tendon)An operation to sew back together a snapped (ruptured) Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle, used for some people instead of healing the tendon in a boot.ACL reconstruction (Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction)Keyhole surgery that replaces a torn cruciate ligament in the knee with a graft, to restore stability for people whose knee keeps giving way or who want to return to demanding sport.Acne treatment (Management of acne vulgaris)Treatments to control acne, a common long-term skin condition causing spots, and to reduce the chance of permanent scarring.Acoustic neuroma surgery (Surgical removal of a vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma))An operation to remove an acoustic neuroma — a usually non-cancerous tumour on the balance and hearing nerve — when it is large, growing, or causing problems.Acoustic reflex testing (Acoustic (stapedial) reflex testing)A quick, usually not painful test that measures a tiny automatic muscle reflex in the middle ear in response to loud sound, adding information about the middle ear, the hearing nerve and the hearing pathway.Acquired angioedema management (Management of acquired C1-inhibitor deficiency (AAE-C1-INH))Specialist treatment of acquired angioedema due to C1-inhibitor deficiency, a rare bradykinin-driven swelling disorder that needs different management from allergic swelling and is often linked to an underlying condition.Acromegaly treatment (Management of acromegaly)Long-term treatment to lower growth hormone, control a pituitary tumour and ease the symptoms of acromegaly, usually led by a hospital endocrine team.Acute back pain assessment (Clinical assessment of acute low back pain)A clinical check of sudden back pain to confirm it is not serious, rule out red-flag conditions, and guide simple treatment and recovery.Acute headache assessment (Diagnostic assessment of acute (new or sudden) headache)How a doctor works out whether a new or sudden headache is harmless or a sign of something serious, using your story, an examination and sometimes scans or other tests.Acute illness triage and referral (Triage, initial assessment and referral in urgent and emergency care)The process of quickly assessing someone with a sudden illness or injury to judge how urgent it is and decide where and how they should be treated.Acute kidney injury assessment (Diagnostic assessment of acute kidney injury (AKI))How a doctor finds out whether your kidneys have suddenly stopped working as well as they should, why it has happened, and what needs to be done about it.Acute kidney injury treatment (Management of acute kidney injury (AKI))Urgent treatment to support the kidneys, find and reverse the cause of a sudden drop in kidney function, and protect the kidneys while they recover.Acute medical consultation (Acute (internal) medicine consultation)An assessment by an acute physician for a new or recently worsening medical problem that needs prompt attention but is not an immediate emergency.Addiction assessment (Comprehensive substance use (addiction) assessment)A confidential appointment that explores your alcohol or drug use, your health and your circumstances, so the right support and treatment plan can be agreed with you.Addison's disease treatment (Management of Addison's disease (primary adrenal insufficiency))Lifelong steroid hormone replacement and emergency planning to replace the hormones the adrenal glands can no longer make, led by an endocrine team.Adenomyosis treatment (Management of adenomyosis)An explanation of the options for managing adenomyosis, where the womb lining grows into the muscle wall and can cause heavy, painful periods.ADHD assessment in children (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnostic assessment in children and young people)A thorough specialist assessment to find out whether a child's difficulties with attention, activity or impulsivity are due to ADHD, and what would help.ADHD medication management for children (Pharmacological management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and young people)Starting, adjusting and monitoring medicines for ADHD in children and young people, as one carefully managed part of a wider support plan.Adrenal gland tests (Assessment of adrenal gland disorders)A set of blood, urine and sometimes scan-based tests to check whether the adrenal glands are making too much or too little hormone, and whether any lump on a gland needs treatment.Adult ADHD assessment (Adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnostic assessment)A specialist appointment to work out whether your difficulties with attention, restlessness or impulsiveness fit a diagnosis of ADHD, and what might help.Age-related hearing loss assessment (Assessment of age-related hearing loss (presbycusis))A hearing check to find out whether gradual hearing loss is age-related, how severe it is, and what support might help.Alcohol addiction treatment (Treatment of alcohol dependence and harmful drinking)Support and treatment to help you cut down or stop drinking safely, usually combining talking therapy, relapse-prevention medicines and, where needed, a medically supervised detox.Alcohol-related liver disease care (Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) management)Ongoing care for a liver damaged by alcohol, where the single most important treatment is stopping drinking, alongside monitoring, nutrition and managing complications.Allergic reaction and anaphylaxis treatment (Acute management of allergic reaction and anaphylaxis)Emergency and same-day care for an allergic reaction, from antihistamines for a mild reaction to adrenaline for anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening 999 emergency.Allergy and immunology testing (Allergy and clinical immunology investigations)Tests used by allergy and immunology specialists to help work out whether symptoms are caused by an allergy or an immune problem, and to guide a safe management plan.Allergy consultation (Specialist allergy assessment (allergy-focused clinical history and examination))A specialist appointment to work out whether your symptoms are caused by an allergy, what the trigger might be, and what tests and management would actually help.Allergy injections (subcutaneous immunotherapy) (Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT))A course of injections of a small, gradually increasing amount of an allergen, given in a specialist clinic to make your immune system react less strongly to it over time.Allergy testing and management (Allergy assessment, testing and management in children)Assessing, testing for and managing allergies in children — using a careful history plus reliable tests (skin prick or blood IgE) to guide diagnosis and a clear management plan.Alzheimer's disease assessment and treatmentAn assessment to find out whether memory and thinking problems are due to Alzheimer's disease, and to start the right support and treatment if they are.Ambulatory ECG (24-hour Holter monitor) (Ambulatory electrocardiogram (Holter monitor))A small, portable monitor worn for 24 hours or longer to record the heart's electrical activity during everyday life, used to capture symptoms or rhythm changes a short ECG might miss.Ambulatory emergency care (Ambulatory emergency care (same day emergency care))Hospital-level assessment and treatment for an urgent medical problem given on the same day, without an overnight stay, for people who would otherwise have been admitted.AMH blood test (ovarian reserve) (Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) test)A blood test that estimates ovarian reserve (roughly how many eggs remain), used mainly to help plan fertility treatment such as IVF.Amputation (Limb amputation)An operation to remove all or part of a limb, usually a leg, when poor blood supply, severe infection, injury or tissue damage means the limb cannot be saved or is causing serious harm. The aim is to relieve pain or danger and help you stay as active and well as possible afterwards.Amputee rehabilitation (Rehabilitation after limb amputation (prosthetic and amputee rehabilitation))A team-based programme after losing a limb to help you heal, manage your residual limb, regain independence and — if it suits you — learn to use a prosthesis.Anaemia investigation and management (Investigation and management of anaemia)Finding out why someone is anaemic (a low level of healthy red cells or haemoglobin) and treating both the anaemia and its underlying cause.Anaemia of kidney disease management (Management of anaemia of chronic kidney disease)Treatment to raise a low blood count caused by kidney disease, usually using iron and, when needed, injections that help the body make red blood cells.Anaesthesia and sedation for endoscopy or colonoscopy (Sedation and comfort options for gastrointestinal endoscopy)The pain-relief and comfort choices — from throat spray or gas to sedation — used to make a camera test of the gut, such as a gastroscopy or colonoscopy, more comfortable.Anaesthesia for dental and children's procedures (Anaesthesia and sedation for dental treatment and paediatric procedures)The anaesthetic and sedation choices used to safely and comfortably carry out dental treatment or procedures in children and, sometimes, anxious adults.Anal fissure surgery (Surgery for chronic anal fissure (botulinum toxin injection, lateral internal sphincterotomy or advancement flap))Procedures to help a long-standing tear in the lining of the anus heal when creams and self-care have not worked, by relaxing or carefully dividing the tight muscle, or covering the tear with healthy tissue.Anal fissure treatment (treatment of fissure-in-ano (creams, botulinum toxin injection or lateral internal sphincterotomy))Treatment for an anal fissure — a small tear in the skin of the back passage that causes sharp pain and bleeding — ranging from creams and stool-softening measures to a botulinum toxin injection or a small operation to relax the muscle so the tear can heal.Anal fistula surgery (surgery for fistula-in-ano (fistulotomy, seton, LIFT or advancement flap))An operation to treat a fistula-in-ano — a small tunnel that has formed between the inside of the back passage and the skin near the anus — by laying it open, draining it with a thread (seton), or sealing it while trying to protect the muscles that control your bowels.Anal skin tag removal (Excision of anal skin tag)A small procedure to remove a harmless flap of skin at the edge of the back passage, usually for comfort or hygiene reasons rather than medical necessity.Anal wart treatment (Treatment of anogenital warts (perianal/anal))Treatment to clear visible warts around or inside the back passage caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), using creams, freezing or minor surgery.Anaphylaxis assessment and adrenaline pen training (Anaphylaxis risk assessment and adrenaline auto-injector (AAI) management)A specialist allergy appointment to work out what causes your severe reactions, plan how to avoid triggers, and train you to use an adrenaline pen safely in an emergency.Anaphylaxis investigation (Specialist allergy assessment after anaphylaxis)A specialist assessment after a severe, whole-body allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to try to find the trigger, confirm the diagnosis and plan how to stay safe in future.Anger and emotional regulation (Support for anger and emotional regulation difficulties)Help for a child or young person who struggles to manage strong feelings such as anger, focused on understanding what is behind the outbursts and building skills to cope.Anger management (Anger management — assessment and psychological treatment for problem anger)Support and structured help — usually a talking therapy or course — to understand anger, recognise its triggers, and learn ways to express and manage it without harm.Angioedema (deep swelling) assessment (Angioedema assessment)A specialist assessment of episodes of deep swelling — often of the lips, eyes, tongue or throat — to find the cause, check for less common types, and plan the right treatment, which differs depending on the type.Angiogram (Catheter angiography (diagnostic angiogram))An X-ray test that uses a dye (contrast) and a fine tube passed into a blood vessel to show up the arteries or veins and find narrowings, blockages, bulges or bleeding.Angioplasty and stenting (Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with or without stenting)A keyhole treatment that widens a narrowed or blocked artery using a small balloon, sometimes leaving a mesh tube (stent) to hold it open.Ankle ligament reconstruction (Lateral ankle ligament repair or reconstruction)An operation to tighten or rebuild the worn or stretched ligaments on the outer side of the ankle, used for people whose ankle keeps giving way despite physiotherapy.Ankle replacement (Total ankle replacement (total ankle arthroplasty))An operation to replace a worn, arthritic ankle joint with metal and plastic parts, aiming to relieve pain while keeping some ankle movement.Ankylosing spondylitis / axial SpA treatment and management (Management of ankylosing spondylitis (axial spondyloarthritis))The ongoing, specialist-led plan to control ankylosing spondylitis (axial spondyloarthritis), ease back and joint pain and stiffness, and keep the spine mobile, using exercise, medicines and support.Antenatal care and pregnancy scans (Antenatal care and pregnancy ultrasound)The regular checks, screening choices and ultrasound scans offered through pregnancy to look after you and your baby and spot problems early.Anterior resection (removing part of the rectum) (Anterior resection of the rectum)An operation to remove part of the rectum (back passage) and the lower colon, usually for a cancer, then join the bowel back together so the back passage can still be used.Anti-craving medication / pharmacotherapy (Pharmacotherapy for addiction (anti-craving and relapse-prevention medicines))Prescription medicines that can reduce cravings or support staying off alcohol or other substances, used alongside psychological and social support rather than on their own.Anti-reflux surgery (Nissen fundoplication) (Fundoplication for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD))An operation to strengthen the valve between the gullet and stomach, used for severe or hard-to-control acid reflux (GORD), usually by wrapping the top of the stomach around the lower gullet.Anti-wrinkle injections (Botulinum toxin injections)Injections of a prescription-only muscle-relaxing medicine that soften lines caused by facial expression, such as frown lines and crow's feet.Anticipatory ('just in case') medicines (Anticipatory medication planning for the last days of life)Planning ahead so that medicines to ease symptoms such as pain, breathlessness, restlessness, sickness and noisy breathing are ready at home if someone is approaching the last days of life.Anticoagulation (blood-thinning treatment) (Anticoagulation management)Treatment with blood-thinning medicine to lower the risk of harmful clots — for example after a DVT or lung clot, or with atrial fibrillation — balanced carefully against the risk of bleeding.Antimalarial tablets and advice (Antimalarial chemoprophylaxis advice and prescribing)Advice on preventing malaria before travel, including mosquito-bite avoidance and, where appropriate, prescribed antimalarial tablets matched to your trip.Antral follicle count (AFC) scan (Antral follicle count (transvaginal ultrasound))An ultrasound scan, usually done internally, that counts the small resting follicles in the ovaries to estimate ovarian reserve and help plan fertility treatment.Anxiety and distress management (palliative care) (Management of anxiety and psychological distress in palliative care)How a palliative care team helps with anxiety, fear and distress, which are very common when living with a serious or terminal illness, using both talking-based support and, when needed, medicines.Anxiety in children and teenagers (Recognition and treatment of anxiety disorders in children and young people)Help for children and teenagers whose worry or fear is strong enough to get in the way of everyday life, using talking therapy first and, for some, carefully supervised medication.Anxiety in older adults (Anxiety disorders in later life)Treatment and support for anxiety in later life — persistent worry, fear or physical tension that is common, often overlooked, and treatable.Aortic valve replacement (Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR))Open-heart surgery to replace a worn or narrowed aortic valve with a mechanical or tissue valve, so blood can flow freely out of the heart again.Apicectomy (root-end surgery) (Apicectomy (apical surgery / endodontic microsurgery))A small operation to clean infection from the very tip of a tooth's root and seal it, used as a last chance to save a tooth when root canal treatment has not worked.Appendix removal (appendicectomy (appendectomy))An operation, usually by keyhole surgery, to remove an inflamed appendix and treat appendicitis, most often done as an emergency.Argon plasma coagulation (Argon plasma coagulation (APC))A treatment done during an endoscopy that uses argon gas and an electric current to deliver heat without touching the tissue, mainly to stop or prevent bleeding from fragile blood vessels in the gut.Arm lift (brachioplasty) (brachioplasty)Surgery to remove loose, excess skin and sometimes fat from the upper arms to improve their shape, often after major weight loss.Artificial limb assessment and fitting (Prosthetic assessment and fitting)An assessment by a specialist team to work out whether an artificial limb is right for you and, if so, to design, fit and fine-tune one to suit your body and your goals.Ascites drainage (paracentesis) (Abdominal paracentesis (ascitic drainage))A procedure to remove fluid that has built up in the tummy (ascites) using a thin tube under local anaesthetic, to relieve discomfort or to test the fluid.Assessing a suddenly unwell or injured child (Acute paediatric illness and injury assessment)How a doctor checks a child who has suddenly become unwell or been injured to work out how serious it is and what care they need — and the red-flag signs that mean you should not wait.Assessment for new psychosis in later life (Late-onset and very late-onset psychosis assessment)A careful specialist assessment for an older adult who has developed new hallucinations, delusions or suspiciousness, to find the cause and the safest way to help.Assisted hatching (Assisted hatching of IVF embryos)An IVF 'add-on' in which the laboratory thins or makes a small opening in the shell around an embryo, in the hope of helping it implant — though there is no good evidence this improves the chance of a baby.Asthma and allergy assessment (Assessment of allergic asthma and aeroallergen sensitisation)A specialist assessment of how allergies and asthma affect each other, using your history, breathing tests and selective allergy testing to find triggers and improve control.Asthma assessment and biologic therapy (Severe asthma assessment and biologic (monoclonal antibody) treatment)A specialist assessment to confirm severe asthma and decide whether a targeted injected medicine (a biologic) is suitable, then ongoing treatment to reduce attacks and steroid use.Auditory brainstem response (ABR) test (auditory brainstem response testing)A usually not painful test that records the electrical signals travelling from the ear along the hearing nerve to the brainstem, used to check hearing thresholds and the hearing pathway.Auditory processing disorder (APD) assessment (auditory processing disorder assessment)A set of listening tests, used alongside other assessments, for people who struggle to make sense of sounds despite normal hearing on a standard test, especially in background noise.Autism assessment (adult) (Adult autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnostic assessment)A specialist appointment to understand whether you are autistic, by looking at how you communicate, relate to others and experience the world, across your whole life.Autoantibody / autoimmune testing (Autoantibody testing (ANA, ENA, anti-dsDNA, rheumatoid factor and related))Blood tests that look for antibodies the immune system has made against your own body, used to help diagnose and monitor autoimmune conditions such as lupus alongside your symptoms.Autoimmune hepatitis care (Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) management)Long-term care for a liver inflamed by an overactive immune system, using medicines to calm the immune response, protect the liver and keep the disease in remission.Autoinflammatory (periodic fever) syndrome assessment (Assessment for autoinflammatory and periodic fever syndromes)A specialist assessment for people with recurrent, unexplained fevers and inflammation, to look for an autoinflammatory (periodic fever) syndrome, which is a problem with the innate immune system rather than ordinary infections.AV fistula for dialysis (Arteriovenous (AV) fistula formation for dialysis)An operation that joins an artery to a vein, usually in the arm, to create a strong blood vessel that can be used for reliable haemodialysis once it has matured.Axillary lymph node clearance (axillary lymph node dissection (axillary clearance))An operation to remove most of the lymph nodes from the armpit, usually because breast cancer has spread to them, which helps treat the cancer and plan further treatment.
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Back and neck pain management (Non-specific spinal (back and neck) pain management)Non-surgical care for back and neck pain, focused on staying active, understanding the pain, and a sensible plan rather than scans, strong painkillers or rushing into surgery.Back pain assessment (Clinical assessment of low back pain and sciatica)A clinic appointment to work out the likely cause of your back pain, check for the rare serious signs, and agree a plan to get you moving and recovering.Bacterial vaginosis (BV) assessment (Bacterial vaginosis (BV) assessment and diagnosis)An assessment to work out whether a change in vaginal discharge is caused by bacterial vaginosis, an imbalance of vaginal bacteria.Balloon sinuplasty (Balloon catheter dilation of paranasal sinus ostia)A less invasive procedure that uses a small balloon to widen blocked sinus openings, for selected people with chronic sinusitis without polyps when medical treatment has not been enough.Balloon valvuloplasty (Percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty (valvotomy))A catheter-based procedure that widens a narrowed heart valve by inflating a small balloon inside it, without open-heart surgery.Banding of haemorrhoids (Rubber band ligation of haemorrhoids)A quick outpatient procedure where a small rubber band is placed around the base of a haemorrhoid (pile) to cut off its blood supply, so it shrinks and drops off over a couple of weeks.Banding of oesophageal varices (Endoscopic variceal band ligation (oesophageal varices))A procedure done during a gastroscopy to place small rubber bands around swollen veins in the gullet, to stop them bleeding or to reduce the risk of a serious bleed.Barbotage for calcific tendinopathy (Ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle barbotage (lavage and aspiration))An ultrasound-guided needle procedure that flushes and aspirates a calcium deposit in a tendon (most often in the shoulder rotator cuff). It may help selected patients, but sham-controlled evidence has questioned how much benefit comes from the lavage itself, so expectations should be cautious.Bartholin's cyst treatment (Treatment of Bartholin's cyst or abscess)Treatment to drain or keep open a fluid- or pus-filled swelling near the vaginal opening, usually with a small drainage procedure under local or general anaesthetic.Basal cell carcinoma surgery (Surgical excision of basal cell carcinoma)Surgery to remove a basal cell carcinoma (the most common skin cancer) with a margin of healthy skin so the whole tumour is taken away.Basal cell carcinoma treatment (Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) treatment, including surgical excision and Mohs micrographic surgery)Ways of removing or destroying a basal cell carcinoma, the most common but rarely dangerous skin cancer, most often by minor surgery under local anaesthetic.Bedwetting (enuresis) in children (Nocturnal enuresis)How bedwetting in children is understood and treated, including bladder and fluid advice, bedwetting alarms and desmopressin — and why it is common and never the child's fault.Bee and wasp sting allergy testing and treatment (Hymenoptera venom allergy testing and venom immunotherapy (VIT))Specialist testing to confirm a serious allergy to bee or wasp stings, and a course of injections (venom immunotherapy) that can greatly reduce the risk of a serious reaction to a future sting.Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD))Help for the distress, agitation and changes in behaviour that can come with dementia, looking first for causes and trying non-drug approaches before medicines.Behavioural and sleep problems in children (Assessment and support for childhood behavioural difficulties and sleep problems)Support to understand and help with a child's difficult behaviour or sleep problems, looking for any underlying causes and finding practical, kind strategies that work for your family.Benzodiazepine detox and withdrawal (Supervised benzodiazepine (and z-drug) withdrawal and dose reduction)A slow, medically supervised plan to reduce and stop benzodiazepines or z-drugs safely, because stopping these medicines suddenly can be dangerous and cause seizures.Bereavement and grief support (Bereavement support and assessment of grief, including prolonged (complicated) grief)Support and, where needed, specialist help for people struggling after the death of someone close, including when grief stays severe or 'stuck' for a long time.Bereavement and loss support (Support for children and young people after bereavement or loss)Support for a child or young person who is grieving after a death or other major loss, recognising that grief is a normal response and offering age-appropriate help.Bereavement support for older people (bereavement and grief support for older adults)Support for older people coping with the death of someone close, helping with grief and watching for isolation or depression.Best-interests and care-planning assessment (Best-interests and care-planning assessment under the Mental Capacity Act 2005)An assessment of whether someone can make a specific decision about their care or treatment, and if not, what choice is in their best interests.Bile duct reconstruction (Biliary reconstruction (often Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy))An operation to rebuild or re-route a bile duct that has been damaged, narrowed or blocked, so that bile can drain from the liver into the bowel again.Bile duct stent (Biliary stent insertion (usually at ERCP))A small tube placed inside a blocked or narrowed bile duct, usually through a camera test (ERCP), so that bile can drain again.Bile duct stone removal (Endoscopic clearance of common bile duct stones (choledocholithiasis))Removing gallstones that have moved into and blocked the bile duct, usually with a camera test (ERCP) and sometimes with keyhole surgery.Biliary drainage and stenting (Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) and biliary drainage/stenting)A keyhole, image-guided procedure that drains bile from a blocked bile duct, by placing a thin tube through the skin into the liver and often a stent to hold the duct open, used to relieve jaundice and itching.Biologic / immunomodulatory therapy (Biologic and immunomodulatory (immunosuppressive) treatment)Medicines that change how the immune system works, used to treat immune, inflammatory or allergic conditions, given by injection or drip and needing careful screening and monitoring.Biologic drip service (infused biologic medicines) (Intravenous biologic (and biosimilar) infusion service)A monitored service that gives biologic medicines through a drip into a vein, to calm an overactive immune system in inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.Biologic therapy for IBD (biologic and targeted therapy for inflammatory bowel disease)Treatment with targeted antibody medicines, given by drip or injection, to control moderate to severe Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis when other treatments are not enough.Biologic therapy for psoriasis or eczema (Biologic and biosimilar treatment for psoriasis and atopic eczema)Targeted medicines, usually given by injection, that switch off a specific part of the overactive immune response in severe psoriasis or eczema when other treatments have not worked.Biopsy analysis (tissue diagnosis) (Histopathological examination of a tissue sample)What happens to a tissue sample after it is removed: a specialist doctor examines it under the microscope to make a diagnosis and explain what your report means.Bipolar disorder / mood disorder management (Bipolar disorder (bipolar affective disorder) management)Specialist-led, long-term care for bipolar disorder — episodes of high (manic or hypomanic) and low (depressed) mood — using medication, talking therapy and monitoring to keep mood stable and reduce relapses.Blackout / first seizure assessment (Assessment of transient loss of consciousness or a first suspected seizure)An assessment to work out why someone blacked out or had a first suspected seizure, and whether it is the heart, a faint, epilepsy or something else.Bladder and bowel rehabilitationA programme of assessment, exercises, training and support to help you manage or improve bladder or bowel problems and regain control, comfort and dignity.Bladder and kidney cancer treatment (Treatment of urological cancers of the bladder and kidney (and related upper urinary tract))The treatments used for bladder and kidney cancers — including treatments placed into the bladder, surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted drugs — planned by a specialist team according to the type and stage.Bladder Botox injections (Intravesical botulinum toxin A injection)Injections of botulinum toxin (Botox) into the bladder wall to calm an overactive bladder when bladder training and medicines have not worked well enough.Bladder cancer surgery (cystectomy) (Radical cystectomy with urinary diversion)A major operation to remove the whole bladder, and usually nearby structures, to treat bladder cancer, with a new way created for urine to leave the body.Bladder tumour removal (TURBT) (Transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT))A telescope operation through the water pipe to remove a tumour from inside the bladder, both to treat it and to find out what it is.Blastocyst culture (Extended embryo culture to the blastocyst stage)Growing embryos in the laboratory for about five days, to the blastocyst stage, so the most developed embryo can be chosen for transfer; it is a selection step, not a treatment that improves an embryo.Bleeding disorder assessment (Assessment for a bleeding disorder)A careful review of your bleeding and bruising history, often with a structured bleeding questionnaire and blood tests, to find out whether you have a condition that makes you bleed more easily.Blood clot (thrombosis) assessment (Assessment for venous thromboembolism (DVT and pulmonary embolism))A set of checks — using your symptoms, a risk score, a blood test and usually a scan — to find out whether you have a blood clot in a deep vein (DVT) or lung (pulmonary embolism), or to work out why one happened.Blood in urine (haematuria) investigation (investigation of haematuria)A set of tests to find the cause of blood in the urine, including ruling out serious causes such as cancer.Blood pressure and cardiovascular risk review (Hypertension and cardiovascular risk assessment)A private GP appointment that checks your blood pressure, estimates your chance of a heart attack or stroke over the next 10 years, and helps plan ways to lower it.Blood tests and interpretation (Venous blood sampling and laboratory analysis (phlebotomy))A blood sample is taken and sent to a laboratory to give information about your health, which a clinician then explains in the context of your symptoms, history and any earlier results.Blood transfusion (Transfusion of blood components (red cells, platelets, plasma))Receiving donated blood, or part of blood, through a thin tube into a vein, usually to treat severe anaemia, blood loss or low blood counts.Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) (Body dysmorphic disorder (body dysmorphia))How body dysmorphic disorder, an obsessive preoccupation with perceived flaws in appearance, is recognised and treated with talking therapy (CBT) and, where needed, medicine, and why cosmetic or surgical procedures usually do not help.Body lift (belt lipectomy / lower body lift (circumferential body lift))A large operation that removes excess skin and fat all the way around the lower body — tummy, hips, flanks and back — and lifts the buttocks and outer thighs, usually after major weight loss.Body plethysmography (lung volume test) (Body plethysmography)A breathing test done inside a clear, sealed booth that measures the total amount of air your lungs can hold, including air left behind after breathing out.Bone and joint infection management (Management of osteomyelitis, septic arthritis and prosthetic joint infection)The combined surgical and antibiotic treatment used to clear an infection in a bone, a joint, or around a joint replacement, and to protect long-term function.Bone grafting for implants (Alveolar bone augmentation (including sinus lift))A procedure to add or build up bone in the jaw so there is enough to hold a dental implant securely.Bone health and RED-S assessment (Assessment of low energy availability, bone health and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs))A careful, non-judgemental assessment of whether you are getting enough fuel for your training and daily life, and how this is affecting your bones, hormones and overall health.Bone marrow biopsy reporting (Bone marrow histopathology reporting)This guide explains what happens to a bone marrow sample after it is taken, how it is examined in the laboratory, and what the report can tell you — often as part of a careful work-up for a blood condition or blood cancer.Bone marrow test (Bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy)A test where small samples of the soft tissue inside a bone (usually the back of the hip) are taken with a needle to look closely at how your blood cells are being made.Bone protection treatment (Osteoporosis treatment for fracture prevention (bone-protection medicines))Medicines that strengthen bone and lower the chance of breaking a bone (fracture) in people with osteoporosis or a high fracture risk; their benefit depends heavily on taking them as directed.Bone scan (Radionuclide bone scan (bone scintigraphy))A nuclear medicine scan that uses a small amount of a radioactive tracer, injected into a vein, to show areas where bone is more active — for example from injury, infection, arthritis or cancer.Bone-strengthening drip (IV bisphosphonate) (Intravenous bisphosphonate infusion (zoledronic acid / zoledronate))A once-a-year drip of a bone-strengthening medicine, used to lower the chance of broken bones in people with thinning bones (osteoporosis).Botox for chronic migraine (Botulinum toxin type A for the prevention of chronic migraine)A treatment in which small injections of botulinum toxin are given around the head and neck to help reduce headaches in adults with chronic migraine that has not responded to other preventives.Botox for chronic pain (Botulinum toxin type A injections for chronic pain (including chronic migraine))Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections used to try to reduce certain long-term pain problems, most clearly chronic migraine, when other treatments have not worked.Botox for excessive sweating (Botulinum toxin injections for hyperhidrosis)Small injections of botulinum toxin into the skin to calm overactive sweat glands when sweating is heavy enough to affect daily life, most often used in the armpits.Botulinum toxin (Botox) injection for spasticity (Intramuscular botulinum toxin type A injection for focal spasticity)An injection of botulinum toxin into specific overactive muscles to relax them temporarily, used alongside therapy when stiffness in a few muscles is causing problems.Botulinum toxin for dystonia (Botulinum toxin injections for dystonia)Targeted injections of botulinum toxin into overactive muscles to ease the abnormal postures, movements and pain of dystonia.Bowel (colorectal) cancer treatment (Multidisciplinary treatment of colorectal cancer)The overall plan to treat bowel (colorectal) cancer, which may combine surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted drugs depending on whether it is colon or rectal cancer and on the stage.Bowel cancer surgery (Surgical resection for colorectal (bowel) cancer)An operation to remove the part of the bowel containing a cancer, along with nearby lymph nodes, usually as part of a wider treatment plan agreed by a specialist team.Brachytherapy (internal radiotherapy) (Brachytherapy (sealed-source internal radiotherapy))A type of radiotherapy that places a radioactive source inside the body, in or right next to the cancer, so a high dose of radiation is given to the tumour while sparing more of the healthy tissue around it.Brain tumour radiotherapy (Radiotherapy for brain tumours (external beam, stereotactic radiotherapy or radiosurgery))A planned course of radiation that aims to treat tumours in the brain or spinal cord, given as daily beams or as a smaller number of very focused treatments.Brain tumour removal (Surgical resection of a brain tumour (craniotomy and resection))An operation to remove all or part of a brain tumour, and to take a tissue sample that tells the team exactly what the tumour is and how best to treat it.Branchial cyst removal (Excision of branchial cyst (branchial cleft cyst excision))An operation to remove a fluid-filled lump on the side of the neck that you are born with, usually done to stop repeated infections or to be sure of the diagnosis.Brazilian butt lift / buttock augmentation (gluteal fat grafting (lipofilling); buttock augmentation)Surgery to reshape or enlarge the buttocks, most often by liposuctioning fat from elsewhere on your body and injecting it into the buttocks, and sometimes by using implants.Breast abscess drainage (Drainage of breast abscess (needle aspiration or incision and drainage))A procedure to remove a painful collection of pus in the breast, usually with a needle under ultrasound guidance or, if needed, a small cut, alongside antibiotics.Breast biopsy (Core needle biopsy / vacuum-assisted breast biopsy)A test that takes small samples of breast tissue with a needle so they can be examined under a microscope and a lump or change can be diagnosed.Breast biopsy reporting (Histopathological reporting of breast biopsy samples)This guide explains what happens to a breast biopsy sample in the laboratory and what the report can tell you about a breast lump or change.Breast cancer surgery (surgery for breast cancer (breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy, with lymph node surgery))An overview of the operations used to remove breast cancer, from breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy) to mastectomy, usually alongside checking the lymph nodes in the armpit.Breast cancer treatment (Multidisciplinary treatment of breast cancer)The overall plan to treat breast cancer, which may combine surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone (endocrine) therapy and targeted drugs depending on the type and stage.Breast cyst drainage (Breast cyst aspiration)A quick clinic procedure that uses a fine needle to drain fluid from a breast cyst, easing discomfort and helping confirm the lump is a simple, benign cyst.Breast duct surgery for nipple discharge (Microdochectomy / total duct excision)An operation to remove one milk duct (microdochectomy) or all the main ducts (total duct excision) to investigate and treat troublesome or suspicious nipple discharge.Breast enlargement (breast augmentation)Surgery to increase the size or change the shape of the breasts, usually with implants and sometimes with the patient's own fat.Breast implant removal (Breast implant removal (explantation), with or without capsulectomy)An operation to take out breast implants, sometimes with the scar-tissue capsule around them, for reasons such as pain, rupture, hardening, a change of mind, or rarely a specific health concern.Breast implant removal / replacement (breast implant explantation and exchange (with or without capsulectomy))Surgery to take out breast implants — sometimes together with the scar-tissue capsule around them — and either leave them out or replace them with new ones.Breast reconstruction (implant) (implant-based breast reconstruction)An operation that rebuilds a breast shape after mastectomy using an implant, often with a tissue expander first, either at the same time as the mastectomy or later.Breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty)Surgery to remove excess breast tissue, fat and skin to make the breasts smaller, lighter and better supported.Breast ultrasound (Breast ultrasonography (breast ultrasound scan))A usually not painful scan that uses sound waves (no radiation) to look more closely at a breast lump or an area of concern, often alongside a mammogram or examination.Breast uplift (mastopexy) (mastopexy)Surgery to lift and reshape breasts that have drooped, by removing excess skin and raising the nipple, sometimes combined with an implant for added fullness.Breathing machine (ventilator) (Mechanical ventilation / breathing support)What it means when someone in intensive care is helped to breathe by a ventilator (breathing machine) through a tube, why it is needed, and how they are gradually weaned off it.Breathlessness assessment (Rapid assessment of acute breathlessness)A same-day medical assessment to find out what is causing recent or worsening breathlessness in someone who is stable, after an emergency cause has been ruled out.Breathlessness management (Management of breathlessness (dyspnoea) in palliative care)Practical techniques and, where needed, medicines to ease breathlessness and the fear that comes with it in a serious illness, so you feel more in control and more comfortable.Bronchial and transbronchial biopsy (Bronchial biopsy and transbronchial lung biopsy)Taking small tissue samples from inside the airways, or from the surrounding lung, during a bronchoscopy so they can be examined under a microscope.Bronchial challenge (provocation) test (Bronchial challenge testing (e.g. methacholine, mannitol or exercise provocation))A specialist breathing test that uses a controlled trigger to see whether your airways are unusually 'twitchy', which can help confirm or rule out asthma when other tests are unclear.Bronchoscopy (Flexible bronchoscopy)A test that lets a respiratory physician look inside your airways with a thin camera and, if needed, take small samples to find the cause of a lung problem.Brow lift (Brow lift (forehead lift / browplasty))Surgery to raise and reshape a heavy or low brow and smooth the forehead, usually for a less tired or frowning look.Bunion surgery (Hallux valgus correction (bunionectomy))An operation to straighten the big toe and narrow the foot when a painful bunion (hallux valgus) is rubbing in shoes or causing pain that simpler measures have not settled.Buried penis / penile condition surgery (surgery for buried (concealed) penis and related penile conditions)An operation to free and reshape a penis that is hidden by skin or fat, or by a related penile difference, so it looks more typical and works normally.Burns and scalds treatment (Treatment of burns and scalds (thermal, chemical and electrical injury))First aid and treatment for burns and scalds — cooling the burn, protecting the skin and managing pain — with clear guidance on which burns need A&E or a specialist burns service.Burns reconstruction (Reconstructive surgery for burn injuries and scarring)Surgery to improve the function, comfort and appearance of areas affected by burn injury and scarring, for example by releasing tight scars and resurfacing skin.
C
Cabin crew medical (Cabin crew medical assessment (UK CAA Part-MED Subpart C))A medical assessment that decides whether you are fit to work as cabin crew, with safety duties in mind, against UK Civil Aviation Authority standards.Caloric testing (Bithermal caloric test (caloric irrigation, part of videonystagmography/VNG))A balance test that gently warms and cools each ear in turn to check how well each inner ear's balance organ is working.Cancer follow-up and monitoring (Cancer surveillance and follow-up)The appointments, tests and scans used after cancer treatment to check how you are, watch for any signs the cancer has come back, and support your recovery.Cancer follow-up and surveillance (Follow-up and surveillance after cancer treatment)The planned checks, appointments and sometimes scans or blood tests after cancer treatment, which aim to spot problems or a return of the cancer and to support recovery.Cancer multidisciplinary team (MDT) review (Multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting review of a cancer case)A meeting where a team of cancer specialists reviews your scans, biopsy and details together to agree the treatment plan they recommend for you.Cancer of unknown primary assessment (Assessment of metastatic malignant disease of unknown primary origin (cancer of unknown primary, CUP))The set of tests and specialist reviews used to find out where a cancer started when it has already been found to have spread, and to plan treatment based on the most likely source even if the exact starting point cannot be confirmed.Cancer pain managementExpert use of painkillers and other treatments to ease pain caused by cancer or its treatment, so you can be more comfortable and do more of what matters to you.Cancer staging and grading report (Histopathological staging and grading of cancer)This guide explains what staging and grading mean in a cancer report, where the information comes from, and what it can and cannot tell you about your cancer.Cancer staging tests (Cancer staging investigations)The scans, tests and pathology used to work out the size of a cancer and whether it has spread, so the right treatment can be planned.Cancer treatment tablets (oral anticancer therapy) (Oral anticancer therapy (oral systemic anti-cancer treatment))Cancer medicines taken by mouth at home as tablets or capsules, which are powerful drugs that must be taken exactly as prescribed and monitored carefully.Cannabis dependence treatment (Treatment for cannabis use disorder (cannabis dependence))Support and treatment to help you cut down or stop cannabis when it has become hard to control, using talking therapy, practical help and care for your mental health.Capacity and medico-legal psychiatric reports (Mental capacity assessment and medico-legal psychiatric reports)An independent psychiatric assessment producing a written report on a specific question — most often whether someone can make a particular decision, or for a court or legal matter.Capacity assessment (Assessment of mental capacity)An assessment of whether a person can make a particular decision for themselves at a particular time, carried out under the law that applies where you live (the Mental Capacity Act 2005 in England and Wales) and designed to support the person to decide wherever possible.Capacity to make a will assessment (Testamentary capacity assessment)An independent assessment by a doctor of whether a person has the mental ability to understand and make a valid will.Capsule endoscopy (Small bowel video capsule endoscopy)A test in which you swallow a tiny disposable camera in a capsule that takes pictures as it passes through your small bowel, an area hard to reach with other camera tests.Cardiac ablation (Catheter ablation for cardiac arrhythmia)A procedure that uses thin tubes passed into the heart to treat the small areas causing an abnormal heart rhythm, using heat or freezing energy.Cardiac MRI (Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (cardiac MRI))A detailed scan of the heart using a strong magnet and radio waves, with no X-ray radiation, to show the heart's structure, pumping and muscle, sometimes with a contrast injection.Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT / biventricular pacemaker) (Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT-P or CRT-D))A procedure to implant a special pacemaker that helps the two pumping chambers of a weakened heart beat together, easing heart-failure symptoms in selected people.Cardiology consultation (Consultation with a cardiologist (heart specialist))An appointment with a cardiologist (a doctor who specialises in the heart) to assess heart symptoms, risk or a known heart condition, and to plan any tests or treatment.Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) (Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET / CPEX))A monitored exercise test on a bike or treadmill, while your breathing and heart are measured, to assess how well your heart, lungs and muscles work together — often before major surgery or to investigate breathlessness.Cardiovascular risk assessment (heart health check) (Cardiovascular disease risk assessment)An assessment that estimates your chance of a heart attack or stroke over the next 10 years and helps plan ways to lower it.Care planning and advance care planning (Personalised care planning and advance care planning)A series of conversations in which a person sets out what matters to them and how they would like to be cared for, now and in the future, so their wishes are known and can be respected if they later become unwell.Carer support and advice (support and advice for unpaid carers of older people)Help and advice for people looking after an older relative or friend, including support for their own wellbeing and a carer's assessment.Carotid endarterectomyAn operation to clear fatty narrowing from the main artery in the neck, done to lower the risk of a stroke.Carpal tunnel release (Carpal tunnel decompression (carpal tunnel release))A small operation that relieves pressure on a nerve at the wrist to ease the tingling, numbness and pain of carpal tunnel syndrome.Carpal tunnel syndrome assessment (Assessment of carpal tunnel syndrome (median nerve compression at the wrist))An assessment to confirm whether tingling, numbness or weakness in the hand is due to pressure on the median nerve at the wrist, how severe it is, and what to do about it.Cataract surgery (Cataract extraction with intraocular lens implant (phacoemulsification))A common operation to remove the eye's cloudy lens and replace it with a clear artificial lens to restore clearer vision.Catheter ablation for arrhythmia (Catheter ablation (cardiac ablation))A catheter-based procedure that uses heat or freezing to treat the small area of heart tissue causing an abnormal heart rhythm.Central line and arterial line insertion (Central venous catheter and arterial cannula insertion)A plain-English guide for patients and families explaining the fine tubes placed into a vein and an artery in intensive care, used to give medicines, monitor blood pressure and take blood without repeated needles.Central line or PICC line insertion (Central venous catheter / peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) insertion)A thin, soft tube placed into a large vein near the heart so medicines, fluids, chemotherapy, feeding or repeated blood tests can be given without needing a fresh drip each time.Cervical and gynaecological cell testing (cytology) (Cervical and gynaecological cytopathology)This guide explains what happens to the cells collected during cervical screening (a smear), how a specialist examines them, and what your result letter means.Cervical disc replacement (Cervical disc arthroplasty (prosthetic intervertebral disc replacement))An operation to remove a worn or slipped disc in the neck that is pressing on a nerve or the spinal cord, and replace it with an artificial disc that aims to keep some movement.Cervical screening (smear test) (Cervical screening with high-risk HPV testing)A quick screening test that checks the cervix for the high-risk HPV virus that can cause cervical cell changes, to help prevent cervical cancer before it starts.CGRP therapy for migraine (Anti-CGRP treatments for migraine prevention (monoclonal antibodies and gepants))A group of newer medicines that block a protein called CGRP, given by injection or infusion (or sometimes as tablets) to help prevent migraine attacks in people who have not responded to other preventives.Cheek augmentation (Cheek augmentation (malar / cheek implants or fat transfer))Surgery to add projection or fullness to the cheeks, using either a solid implant or the body's own fat.Cheekbone fracture repair (Open reduction and internal fixation of a zygomatic (cheekbone) fracture)An operation to lift a broken cheekbone back into position and, if needed, hold it with small plates and screws, used when the fracture has changed the face or affected the eye, jaw or sensation.Chemical peel (Chemical exfoliation (chemexfoliation))A treatment that applies a chemical solution to remove outer layers of skin, aiming to improve texture, tone and some fine lines.Chemoradiotherapy (Chemoradiotherapy (concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy))Having chemotherapy and radiotherapy together, so the drugs make the cancer cells more sensitive to the radiation. It can be more effective than either treatment alone, but the side effects are usually stronger, so it is not right for everyone.Chemotherapy (Cytotoxic chemotherapy (systemic anti-cancer therapy))Medicines that kill or slow down cancer cells, used in blood cancers and many other conditions, given as a drip, injection or tablets.Chest pain assessment (Rapid assessment of acute chest pain)A same-day medical assessment to work out what is causing recent or ongoing chest pain in someone who is stable, after a heart attack has been ruled out as an emergency.Chest port (port-a-cath) insertion (Totally implantable central venous access port insertion)A small device placed fully under the skin of the chest, connected to a tube in a large vein, so treatment such as chemotherapy can be given through a needle into the port over many months.Chest X-ray (Chest radiograph (CXR))A quick, very low-dose imaging test that takes a picture of your lungs, heart, ribs and diaphragm to help investigate chest symptoms.Chiari malformation surgery (Posterior fossa (craniovertebral) decompression for Chiari malformation)An operation to make more room at the base of the skull where part of the brain (the cerebellum) extends into the spinal canal, easing pressure and helping fluid flow in Chiari malformation.Child and adolescent mental health assessment (Child and adolescent psychiatric assessment)A careful assessment by a specialist of a child or young person's emotional, behavioural and mental health, working with them and their family.Childhood asthma and wheeze management (Asthma and preschool wheeze in children: diagnosis and management)How asthma and wheeze in children are diagnosed and managed, including inhalers, spacers, a written action plan and knowing when breathing problems are an emergency.Childhood developmental assessment (Developmental assessment / child development review)An assessment that looks at how a child is developing across areas like talking, movement, play and social skills, to spot any areas where they may need extra help.Childhood diabetes care (Diabetes (type 1 and type 2) in children and young people)How diabetes in children is recognised and managed day to day, why a new diagnosis is often urgent, and the emergency signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) that must never be missed.Childhood eczema and rashes (Assessment and management of childhood atopic eczema and common skin rashes)Assessment and ongoing treatment of a child's eczema or skin rash — settling the itch and flares, finding triggers, and learning to manage the skin day to day.Childhood immunisations (Routine childhood immunisation (UK schedule))The vaccinations offered to babies and children on the UK schedule to protect them against serious infections, given at set ages from a few weeks old through to the teenage years.Childhood inguinal (groin) hernia repair (Paediatric inguinal herniotomy)A common children's operation to close a small passage in the groin that lets the lining of the tummy, and sometimes a loop of bowel, bulge through and form a lump.Childhood umbilical (tummy-button) hernia repair (Paediatric umbilical hernia repair)A small children's operation to close a gap behind the tummy button when an umbilical (belly-button) hernia has not closed on its own.Childhood urinary tract infections (UTIs) (Diagnosis and management of urinary tract infection in children)Diagnosing and treating a urine infection in a child, confirming it with proper urine testing, and arranging the right scans afterwards if the infection is unusual or keeps coming back.Childhood weight and nutrition support (Childhood overweight and obesity management)How families are supported when a child is above a healthy weight, focusing on whole-family healthy eating and activity — never on blame or crash dieting.Children's hearing and balance assessment (Paediatric hearing and balance assessment)Age-appropriate tests to check a child's hearing and, where needed, balance, and to plan any support they may need.Chin augmentation (Chin augmentation (genioplasty / chin implant))Surgery to increase the projection or improve the shape of the chin, using either an implant or by moving the chin bone forward.Chlamydia test and treatment (Chlamydia trachomatis testing and antibiotic treatment)A test to check for chlamydia, the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the UK, and a short course of antibiotics to clear it if found.Chronic disease management (Management of long-term conditions)Ongoing GP care for one or more long-term conditions — such as high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma or arthritis — to keep them stable, catch problems early and support you to live well.Chronic hives (urticaria) assessment (Chronic urticaria assessment)An allergy or skin specialist assessment to confirm long-lasting hives, look for any trigger or linked condition, and plan treatment — which is usually antihistamine-led rather than about allergy.Chronic kidney disease treatment (Management of chronic kidney disease (CKD))Long-term treatment to slow the loss of kidney function, protect the heart and blood vessels, and manage the effects of reduced kidney function over time.Chronic pain assessment and management (Assessment and management of chronic (persistent) pain)An ongoing, whole-person plan to reduce the impact of long-term pain and help you do more, built around activity, psychological support and self-management rather than a cure.Chronic urticaria and angioedema assessment (Assessment of chronic urticaria and angioedema)A specialist assessment for people with hives (urticaria) and/or deeper swelling (angioedema) lasting six weeks or more, to find the type, look for triggers and any underlying cause, and plan treatment.Circumcision (adult) (Adult circumcision (removal of the foreskin))An operation to remove the whole foreskin, most often done for a tight or scarred foreskin or repeated infections.Cirrhosis management and monitoring (Management and surveillance of liver cirrhosis)The long-term plan for looking after a scarred (cirrhotic) liver: slowing further damage, watching for complications, and screening for liver cancer and swollen veins (varices).Cleft lip and palate repair (Surgical repair of cleft lip and/or palate (cheiloplasty and palatoplasty), within the NHS cleft pathway)A series of operations, beginning in infancy, to repair a gap in a baby's lip and/or the roof of the mouth, as part of a long-term NHS multidisciplinary cleft care pathway.Cleft lip and palate surgery (Cleft lip and palate repair (primary and secondary procedures))Surgery, usually in babies and children, to repair a gap in the lip and/or the roof of the mouth (palate) so that feeding, speech, hearing, teeth and appearance can develop as well as possible.Clinical immunology consultation (Clinical immunology specialist consultation)A consultant appointment to investigate problems with the immune system — such as frequent, severe or unusual infections — to find a cause and plan treatment or monitoring.Clinical oncology consultation (Clinical oncology (radiotherapy and systemic cancer treatment) consultation)An appointment with a clinical oncologist to discuss a cancer diagnosis and the treatment options, which can include radiotherapy and drug treatments, and to agree a plan.Cocaine addiction treatment (Treatment of cocaine (and stimulant) use disorder)Support and treatment to help you stop or control cocaine or crack use, based mainly on talking therapy and a keyworker, as there is no substitute medicine for stimulants.Cochlear implant (Cochlear implantation)A surgically placed device that can give a useful sense of sound to people with severe or profound hearing loss who get little benefit from hearing aids.Coeliac disease testing and management (Coeliac disease (gluten-sensitive enteropathy): diagnosis and management)Finding out whether long-term symptoms are caused by coeliac disease, an immune reaction to gluten, and then managing it for life with a strict gluten-free diet and regular review.Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for young people (Cognitive behavioural therapy for children and adolescents)A practical, evidence-based talking therapy that helps a child or young person understand the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviour, and learn skills to manage problems like anxiety and low mood.Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) referral (Referral for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT))Being referred for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT): a structured, evidence-based talking therapy that helps you change unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour to ease problems like anxiety and depression.Cognitive rehabilitation (Cognitive rehabilitation (therapy for thinking and memory difficulties))Therapy to help with thinking difficulties — such as memory, attention and planning — after brain injury, stroke or other conditions, focusing on everyday function and useful strategies rather than a cure.Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) (Cognitive stimulation therapy)A structured, evidence-based programme of themed group activities and discussion that gently exercises memory, thinking and conversation for people with mild-to-moderate dementia.Coil and implant fitting (Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC): intrauterine device/system and subdermal implant)Fitting a small contraceptive device — either a coil inside the womb or a thin implant under the skin of the arm — that prevents pregnancy for several years.Coil fitting (IUD/IUS) (Intrauterine contraception fitting (IUD or IUS))A short procedure to place a small contraceptive device (a copper coil or a hormonal coil) inside the womb to prevent pregnancy for several years.Collapse and blackout assessment (Assessment of transient loss of consciousness (syncope))A same-day medical assessment to find out why someone collapsed, fainted or blacked out, used once they have recovered and are stable.Colonoscopy (Colonoscopy (examination of the large bowel))A test where a thin, flexible camera is passed into the back passage to look at the lining of the whole large bowel, find the cause of symptoms, take samples and remove polyps.Colostomy formationAn operation that brings part of the large bowel (colon) out through an opening on the tummy, so waste passes into a pouch instead of through the back passage.Colposcopy (Colposcopic examination of the cervix)A closer look at the cervix using a magnifying microscope, usually after a screening test finds HPV and cell changes, to check whether treatment is needed.Combined ADHD and autism assessment (Combined neurodevelopmental assessment for ADHD and autism in children and young people)A thorough, multi-informant assessment that looks at both ADHD and autism together to understand how a child thinks, learns and relates, and what support would help.Complement testing (Complement studies (C3, C4, CH50/CH100, AP50))Blood tests that measure complement proteins (such as C3 and C4) and how well the complement system works, used for certain recurrent infections, some autoimmune conditions and unexplained swelling.Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) managementSpecialist, team-based care for complex regional pain syndrome — a poorly understood condition causing severe limb pain — focused on early recognition, physiotherapy-led rehabilitation and support, not a quick fix.Component-resolved allergy testing (Component-resolved diagnostics (molecular allergology))A more detailed blood test that measures antibodies to individual proteins within an allergen, used by specialists to refine an allergy diagnosis and judge risk when simpler tests are unclear.Comprehensive geriatric assessment (Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA))A thorough, whole-person assessment by a geriatrician and team that looks at an older person's health, thinking, daily living, medicines and home life together, then builds one shared plan.Concussion assessment and management (Concussion (mild traumatic brain injury) assessment and graduated return to activity)A checking-over and management plan after a knock to the head, to spot dangerous injuries, confirm concussion, and bring you safely back to school, work and sport.Confusion and delirium assessment (delirium (acute confusional state) assessment)An urgent check to work out why an older person has suddenly become confused, and to find and treat the cause.Connective tissue disease antibody testing (Autoantibody testing for connective tissue (autoimmune rheumatic) disease)Blood tests for autoantibodies, such as ANA, ENA and anti-dsDNA, used to help assess possible connective tissue (autoimmune rheumatic) diseases like lupus, alongside symptoms and examination.Connective tissue disease assessment (Connective tissue disease assessment (including autoantibody testing))A specialist assessment, usually including blood tests for autoantibodies, to look for autoimmune connective tissue diseases such as lupus or scleroderma when symptoms suggest them.Constipation and tummy problems in children (Childhood constipation (idiopathic constipation) and functional tummy pain)Help for children who are constipated or have ongoing tummy aches — explaining that constipation is very common and treatable, that it is not the child's fault, and how laxatives, fluids, fibre and a calm toilet routine work together.Constipation management (palliative care) (Management of constipation in palliative care)How a palliative care team prevents and treats constipation, which is very common in serious illness and especially when strong pain medicines (opioids) are used.Continence assessment (Assessment of urinary and bowel continence)An assessment to find out why you are leaking urine or struggling with bladder or bowel control, and to offer treatment, because incontinence is common but treatable and is not simply a normal part of ageing.Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) (Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and flash glucose monitoring)A small wearable sensor that tracks glucose levels through the day and night, helping people with diabetes and their teams see patterns and adjust treatment.Contraception advice (Contraception consultation and method choice)A consultation to help you choose a method of contraception that suits you, covering the full range of options honestly, including the most effective long-acting methods and emergency contraception.Contraception advice and pill prescription (Contraception consultation and prescribing)An appointment to discuss the contraception options that suit you, with a prescription for the pill or another method where appropriate, and information on the most effective long-acting methods.COPD management (Management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD))Ongoing care to ease breathlessness, reduce flare-ups and slow the progress of COPD, using inhalers, stopping smoking, exercise and other treatments.Corneal cross-linking (for keratoconus) (Corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL))A procedure that uses vitamin B2 (riboflavin) drops and ultraviolet light to stiffen the cornea and slow or stop keratoconus from getting worse.Corneal transplant (Corneal transplantation (keratoplasty))An operation to replace a cloudy, scarred or misshapen cornea, or part of it, with healthy donor tissue to improve sight, relieve pain or treat damage.Coronary angiogram (cardiac catheterisation) (Coronary angiography (cardiac catheterisation))A test where a fine tube is passed through an artery in the wrist or groin to the heart and dye is injected, so X-rays can show whether the coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked.Coronary angioplasty and stenting (PCI) (Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI))A procedure to open a narrowed or blocked heart artery using a small balloon, usually leaving a tiny mesh tube (stent) behind to hold it open.Cosmetic eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) (Cosmetic blepharoplasty)Cosmetic surgery to remove or reposition excess skin and fat from the upper and/or lower eyelids for a fresher, less tired look, usually done by an oculoplastic or plastic surgeon.Counselling and fertility support (Fertility counselling and emotional support)Talking support from a qualified counsellor to help you cope with the emotional side of fertility problems, treatment, donor conception or pregnancy loss.CPAP therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea (Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy)A long-term treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea that uses a small pump and mask to deliver gently pressurised air, keeping the airway open during sleep.Craniotomy (brain surgery) (Craniotomy)An operation that temporarily opens part of the skull so a neurosurgeon can reach the brain — for example to remove a tumour, stop bleeding, or treat a blood-vessel problem.Critical care after major surgery (Postoperative critical care (ICU/HDU))Close, round-the-clock hospital care in an intensive care or high dependency unit to support someone's body while they recover from a big operation.Critical care after major trauma (Critical care management of major trauma (serious injury))A compassionate, plain-English guide for families explaining what happens when someone is in intensive care after a serious injury (major trauma), how the body is supported, and what the long road to recovery may look like.Critical care after surgery (Post-operative critical care)What it means to recover in a critical care unit (ICU or HDU) for the first hours or days after a major operation, and why this is often planned in advance.Critical care outreach review (Critical care outreach team assessment)A bedside check by a specialist critical care nurse or doctor on a hospital ward, to spot and act early if a patient is becoming more unwell.Cryotherapy (freezing treatment) (Cryotherapy (cryosurgery) with liquid nitrogen)A treatment that freezes skin lesions with very cold liquid nitrogen to destroy them, used for warts, sun-damage spots and other minor skin growths.CT chest scan (Computed tomography of the thorax (CT thorax))A detailed scan that uses X-rays and a computer to build cross-section pictures of the lungs, airways, heart, blood vessels and chest tissues.CT coronary angiogram (Coronary CT angiography (CCTA))A detailed CT scan that uses a small injection of dye to show whether the heart's arteries are narrowed or furred up.CT scan (Computed tomography (CT) scan)A scan that uses X-rays and a computer to build detailed cross-section pictures of the inside of the body, often used to look at bones, the chest, the tummy or to check for bleeding.CT-guided lung biopsy (CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic lung biopsy)A test where a doctor uses CT scan pictures to guide a needle through the chest wall and take a small sample from a lung abnormality, usually to find out what it is.Cuts and wound closure (stitches / glue) (Wound closure (sutures, tissue adhesive or adhesive strips))A small procedure to clean a cut and hold its edges together with stitches, skin glue or adhesive strips so it heals well and the risk of infection and scarring is reduced.Cystoscopy (bladder telescope) (Cystoscopy (flexible or rigid))A test that uses a thin telescope (cystoscope) to look inside the bladder and the urethra (waterpipe), often to investigate blood in the urine or other urinary symptoms.
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Day-case anaesthesiaAnaesthesia planned so you can have your operation and go home the same day, using techniques and medicines chosen to help you recover quickly and safely.Decompression for spinal stenosis (lumbar decompression (laminectomy / laminotomy) for lumbar spinal stenosis)An operation that makes more room for the squeezed nerves in a narrowed lower spine, mainly to ease leg pain and the cramping that comes on with walking.Deep brain stimulation (Deep brain stimulation (DBS))An operation that places fine electrodes deep in the brain, connected to a pacemaker-like device, to ease movement symptoms in conditions such as Parkinson's disease, tremor and dystonia.Defibrillator (ICD) fitting (Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) insertion)An implanted device that watches for a dangerous fast heart rhythm and delivers a shock or pacing to restore a normal beat, used to reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death.Dehydration and intravenous (IV) fluid therapy (Assessment of dehydration and intravenous fluid therapy)When dehydration or fluid loss is treated by giving fluids directly into a vein through a drip, why it is sometimes needed, and why 'wellness' vitamin drips are a different and questionable thing.Dehydration and IV fluids (Management of dehydration, including oral rehydration and intravenous fluid therapy)Treatment to replace lost water and salts when you are dehydrated, ranging from drinking and oral rehydration salts to a fluid drip into a vein for more severe cases.Delirium (acute confusion) assessment (Assessment of delirium (acute confusional state))An urgent assessment when someone becomes suddenly confused, to confirm delirium, find and treat the cause, and protect the person — because delirium is a medical emergency that is often reversible.Dementia diagnosis (Diagnostic assessment for suspected dementia)The process of finding out whether memory and thinking problems are due to dementia, what type it might be, and ruling out other causes, so that support and planning can begin.Dementia medication review (Review of medicines for dementia and its symptoms)An appointment to check whether medicines for dementia and its symptoms are still helping, are causing side effects, and are at the right dose — or should be changed or stopped.Dental implants (Endosseous dental implants)A surgical treatment that places a small titanium post into the jawbone to support a replacement tooth, bridge or denture.Depression assessment and treatment (Assessment and treatment of depression in adults)How depression in adults is assessed and treated, including talking therapies, medication where it is needed, and how to get help — with urgent support if you are in crisis.Depression in children and teenagers (Identification and management of depression in children and young people)Help for children and teenagers whose low mood is lasting and getting in the way of daily life, using talking therapy first and, for some, carefully monitored medication.Depression in older adults (Depression in later life)Treatment and support for low mood and depression in later life, which is common and treatable — not a normal or unavoidable part of getting older.Dermal fillers (Injectable soft-tissue fillers)Injectable gels used to add volume or smooth lines in areas such as the lips, cheeks and folds around the mouth.Dermatology consultation (Specialist dermatology (skin) consultation)An appointment with a skin specialist (dermatologist) to assess a skin, hair or nail problem, reach a diagnosis where possible, and agree a plan.Dermoscopy mole mapping (Sequential digital dermoscopy and total body photography (mole mapping))A way of photographing and closely imaging your skin and moles so they can be compared over time to pick up early changes.DEXA bone density scan (Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA))A quick, low-dose X-ray scan that measures how dense your bones are, to help work out your risk of osteoporosis and broken bones.Diabetes and cholesterol review (Diabetes and lipid (cholesterol) assessment and review)A private GP appointment using blood tests to check your blood sugar (for diabetes or prediabetes) and your cholesterol, and to plan ways to keep them in a healthy range.Diabetic emergency assessment (Acute assessment of a suspected diabetic emergency (DKA / HHS / severe hypoglycaemia))An urgent medical check to find out whether dangerously high or low blood sugar is causing a diabetic emergency, and to start the right treatment quickly.Diabetic foot check (Diabetic foot assessment (foot risk screening))A simple check of your feet, done at least once a year if you have diabetes, to spot loss of feeling or poor circulation early and reduce the risk of ulcers and amputation.Diabetic foot surgery (Surgery for diabetic foot problems)Operations to treat serious diabetic foot problems — such as removing infected or dead tissue, draining infection, correcting deformity or, when needed, removing part of the foot — to control infection, help ulcers heal and protect the leg.Diabetic kidney disease management (Management of diabetic kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy))Ongoing treatment to slow kidney damage caused by diabetes and to lower the linked risk of heart and circulation problems.Diagnostic laparoscopyA keyhole operation, under general anaesthetic, that lets a surgeon look directly inside the tummy or pelvis with a small camera to find the cause of pain or other problems, and take samples if needed.Diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound (Diagnostic musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound)A usually not painful scan using sound waves to look at joints, tendons and soft tissues, often to check for inflammation or to help diagnose arthritis.Dialysis access (fistula) assessment (Vascular access assessment for haemodialysis (including AV fistula vein mapping))An assessment, usually including an arm ultrasound, to plan the best way to connect you to a dialysis machine if your kidneys are failing, most often by creating a fistula.Diarrhoea and gastroenteritis in children (Acute gastroenteritis in children)How to care for a child with diarrhoea and vomiting from a tummy bug at home, and how to spot the warning signs that mean they need to be seen urgently.Disease-modifying drugs (DMARDs) (Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs))Medicines that calm an overactive immune system to slow inflammatory joint disease and protect joints, taken long-term with regular blood-test monitoring.Disease-modifying therapy for MS (Disease-modifying therapy (DMT) for multiple sclerosis)Long-term medicines, taken as tablets, injections or drip infusions, that aim to reduce MS relapses and new nerve damage.Display screen equipment (DSE) assessment (Display screen equipment workstation assessment)A structured check of your computer workstation and how you use screens, to spot and fix things that could cause aches, strain or eye discomfort.Distal pancreatectomyAn operation to remove the body and tail (the left part) of the pancreas, often together with the spleen, usually for a tumour or cyst in that part of the pancreas.Diverticular disease surgery (Surgical resection for diverticular disease (most often sigmoid colectomy))An operation to remove the diseased part of the large bowel (usually the sigmoid colon) when diverticular disease causes serious or repeated problems that other treatments cannot control.Dix-Hallpike test for BPPV (Dix-Hallpike manoeuvre (positional test for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo))A simple positioning test where the clinician moves your head and lies you back quickly to see if it triggers the brief spinning of BPPV.Dizziness and blackout assessment (Assessment of dizziness, faints and transient loss of consciousness (syncope))A specialist assessment to find out why you have been dizzy, faint or blacking out, to look for treatable heart, blood-pressure and balance causes, and to reduce the risk of injury from falls.Dizziness and vertigo assessment (Assessment of dizziness and vertigo)An assessment to work out what is causing dizziness or vertigo, to tell common inner-ear causes from rarer serious ones, and to guide treatment.Dorsal root ganglion block (Dorsal root ganglion block (nerve root block / transforaminal injection))An X-ray-guided injection of local anaesthetic, often with a steroid, around the dorsal root ganglion (a swelling on a spinal nerve as it leaves the spine), used to find out which nerve is causing arm or leg pain and to try to settle that pain for a while.Drainage of a pancreatic pseudocyst (Drainage of pancreatic pseudocyst)A procedure to drain a fluid collection (pseudocyst) that has formed near the pancreas after pancreatitis, usually done from inside the stomach using an endoscope and ultrasound.Draining fluid from around the heart (pericardiocentesis) (Pericardiocentesis (pericardial aspiration))A procedure that uses a fine needle and tube to drain fluid that has built up in the sac around the heart, to relieve pressure on the heart and to help find the cause.Draining fluid from around the lung (pleural effusion) (Pleural effusion drainage (thoracentesis / pleural aspiration))A way of easing breathlessness by using a needle or thin tube, put in under local anaesthetic, to drain fluid that has built up around a lung.Draining fluid from the tummy (ascites) (Therapeutic paracentesis for ascites)A way of relieving discomfort by using a thin tube, put in under local anaesthetic, to drain fluid that has built up inside the tummy.Dressings and wound care (Wound assessment, cleaning and dressing)Cleaning a cut, graze, or other minor wound and covering it with the right dressing so it heals well and is less likely to get infected.Driver medical (HGV, bus or taxi) (Group 2 / vocational driver medical examination (DVLA standards))A medical check that decides whether you are fit to drive a lorry, bus or taxi against the higher DVLA 'Group 2' health standards.Droopy eyelid surgery (ptosis correction) (ptosis correction (levator advancement, Müller's muscle resection, or brow suspension))Surgery to lift an upper eyelid that droops, usually by tightening or repositioning the muscle that raises the lid, to clear the vision and even up the eyes.Drug addiction treatment (Treatment of drug (substance) dependence)Support and treatment to help you stop or control drug use, usually combining a keyworker, talking therapy and, for some drugs, medication, along with practical help and harm reduction.Drug allergy testing and challenge (Drug allergy investigation (skin testing and drug provocation/challenge))A specialist process to work out whether you are truly allergic to a medicine, using your history, skin tests and, if needed, a carefully supervised drug challenge.Drug and alcohol testing (Workplace drug and alcohol screening and testing)A test, usually arranged by an employer, that looks for alcohol or drugs in a sample of breath, urine, saliva, blood or hair to support a workplace drug and alcohol policy.Drug provocation testing (drug challenge) (Drug provocation test (DPT) / supervised drug challenge)A carefully supervised test that gives you a medicine in gradually increasing doses to confirm or rule out a true allergy when other tests cannot.Dual diagnosis (addiction with mental illness) (Coexisting substance misuse and mental illness (dual diagnosis))Care for people who have both a mental illness and a drug, alcohol or behavioural problem at the same time, where the best approach is to treat both together rather than separately.Dupuytren's contracture surgery (Surgery for Dupuytren's disease (fasciectomy / fasciotomy))Treatment to straighten one or more fingers that have been pulled towards the palm by Dupuytren's disease, using surgery or a less invasive needle or injection technique.DVT (blood clot in the leg) assessment (Assessment of suspected deep vein thrombosis)A same-day medical assessment to find out whether a swollen, painful leg is caused by a deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot), in someone who is stable.DVT treatment (Treatment of deep vein thrombosis)Treatment for a blood clot in a deep vein, usually with blood-thinning medicine, to stop the clot growing, lower the risk of a clot reaching the lungs, and reduce long-term leg problems.Dynamic hormone (stimulation) tests (Dynamic endocrine function tests (stimulation and suppression tests))Special hormone tests where a medicine or trigger is given and blood is taken at set times, to see how a gland responds when it cannot be judged by a single blood test.
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Ear correction (pinnaplasty / otoplasty) (Pinnaplasty / otoplasty (prominent ear correction))Surgery to reshape or reposition prominent or misshapen ears so they sit closer to the head.Ear drum repair (Myringoplasty (type 1 tympanoplasty))An operation to repair a persistent hole in the ear drum using a graft, to stop repeated infections, keep the ear dry and sometimes improve hearing.Early pregnancy assessmentAn urgent check, usually with an internal scan and sometimes blood tests, when there is bleeding, pain or worry in early pregnancy, to find where the pregnancy is and whether it is developing.Eating disorder assessment (Specialist assessment for a suspected eating disorder)A specialist assessment to understand a suspected eating disorder, including the mental-health picture and the physical (medical) risk, so the right treatment and level of care can be arranged quickly.ECG and heart check (Electrocardiogram (ECG) and cardiac assessment)A quick, usually not painful test that records your heart's electrical activity, often used in a GP heart check to look at rate, rhythm and some signs of heart strain or damage.ECG and rapid blood tests (Electrocardiogram and point-of-care / urgent blood tests)Quick tests used in urgent care: an ECG records the heart's electrical activity, and rapid blood tests give fast results to help assess sudden symptoms.Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) (Echocardiography)An ultrasound scan of the heart that shows how well it is pumping and whether the valves and chambers are working normally.Ectopic pregnancy care (Ectopic pregnancy management)How a pregnancy growing in the wrong place (most often a fallopian tube) is diagnosed and treated, by watching and waiting, an injection, or keyhole surgery.Eczema (dermatitis) management (Management of atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis))Treatments to control eczema (dermatitis), a common long-term condition that makes the skin dry, itchy and inflamed.Eczema and skin conditions (Atopic eczema and common skin conditions in children)How common childhood skin conditions, especially atopic eczema, are managed — using moisturisers (emollients) every day, treating flares with topical steroids, and avoiding triggers.EEG (brain wave test) (Electroencephalogram (EEG))A usually not painful test that records the brain's electrical activity through small sensors on the scalp, used mainly to help investigate seizures and epilepsy.Egg donation / using donor eggs (Treatment using donated eggs (oocyte donation))Fertility treatment that uses eggs donated by another person, or the process of donating your own eggs to help someone else, arranged through a licensed UK clinic with counselling, screening and clear rules about donor identity.Egg freezing (Oocyte cryopreservation (egg freezing))Collecting and freezing a person's eggs so they can try for a baby later; it can help, but it does not guarantee a future baby and success falls with age at freezing.Elbow surgery (elbow surgery (arthroscopy, tendon release, nerve decompression, contracture release or joint surgery))A group of operations on the elbow to treat stubborn tennis or golfer's elbow, a trapped nerve, a stiff or arthritic joint, or loose fragments, usually only after non-surgical treatment has been tried.Electrical cardioversion (DC cardioversion) (Direct current (DC) cardioversion)A short procedure that uses a carefully timed electric shock, given while you are briefly asleep, to reset an abnormal heart rhythm back to normal.Electrocardiogram (ECG)A quick, usually not painful test that records the heart's electrical activity through small sticky pads on the skin, used to check the heart's rate and rhythm.Electrolyte disorder assessment (Assessment of electrolyte disorders (serum electrolyte testing))Blood and urine tests, with a clinical review, to find out why salts such as sodium and potassium are too high or too low, and what is causing it.Electrolyte disturbance management (Assessment and management of electrolyte disturbances)How a doctor finds out why the body's salts (such as sodium and potassium) are too high or too low, works out the cause, and corrects them safely.Embolisation to control bleeding (Therapeutic arterial embolisation for haemorrhage)A keyhole, image-guided procedure that blocks a bleeding blood vessel from the inside using tiny coils, particles, plugs or glue, often used urgently to stop dangerous bleeding without open surgery.Embryo donation (Embryo donation treatment)A fertility treatment where embryos donated by another person or couple are thawed and one is placed into your womb to try for a pregnancy.Embryo freezing (Embryo cryopreservation (embryo freezing))Freezing and storing embryos created during IVF so they can be used in a later cycle, avoiding repeat egg collection; success when they are used is still not guaranteed.EMG (muscle and nerve test) (Electromyography (EMG))A test that records the electrical activity of muscles using a very fine needle, to help find the cause of weakness, wasting, twitching, cramps or numbness.End-of-life and palliative critical care (End-of-life and palliative care in intensive care)Compassionate care that focuses on comfort, dignity and family when intensive treatment is no longer helping someone who is very unwell or dying.End-of-life care planning (Advance care planning)A conversation, written down, where you set out your wishes for your care and treatment in case there is a time later when you cannot speak for yourself.Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) (Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA))A camera test that uses ultrasound from inside the airways to find and take samples from lymph glands and areas in the centre of the chest, often to investigate or stage lung cancer.Endocrinology and diabetes consultation (Specialist endocrinology and diabetes outpatient consultation)An appointment with a specialist in hormones and diabetes to assess symptoms or test results, agree what (if any) tests are needed, and plan treatment together.Endometrial scratch (Endometrial scratching (endometrial injury))A fertility 'add-on' in which a thin tube is used to gently scratch the womb lining before IVF, in the hope of helping an embryo implant — though the evidence that it improves the chance of a baby is unclear.Endometriosis diagnosis and treatment (Diagnosis and management of endometriosis)The process of diagnosing endometriosis and managing its pain and fertility effects through pain relief, hormone treatments and surgery — a long-term condition with no cure but real ways to manage it.Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) (Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), with or without fine needle sampling)A test that combines a flexible camera with an ultrasound scanner on its tip to look closely at the gut wall and nearby organs such as the pancreas, and to take samples if needed.Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR)A keyhole, image-guided procedure to line a swollen section of the main artery in the tummy with a stent graft passed up from the groin, to reduce the risk of it bursting.Enhanced recovery after surgery (Enhanced recovery after surgery support)An evidence-based way of preparing for and recovering from surgery — with the anaesthetic team's input — that helps you get back to health and home as quickly and safely as possible.Epididymal cyst removal (excision of epididymal cyst (spermatocele))An operation to remove a fluid-filled swelling (cyst) from the epididymis, the sperm-carrying tube alongside the testicle, when it causes bothersome symptoms.Epidural anaesthetic (Epidural anaesthesia)A fine tube placed in your back by an anaesthetist through which numbing and pain-relief medicines can be given and topped up, to numb part of your body during and after an operation.Epidural and anaesthesia in labour and birth (Obstetric anaesthesia and analgesia (epidural, spinal and combined spinal-epidural))An explanation of the anaesthetic and strong pain-relief options for labour and birth, including the epidural, given by an anaesthetist and always the woman's choice.Epidural steroid injection (for back pain or sciatica) (Epidural corticosteroid injection)An injection of steroid, usually with local anaesthetic, around the nerves in the spine to ease leg or arm pain from an irritated nerve.Epilepsy diagnosis and management (Epilepsy (assessment and long-term management))How a specialist works out whether your seizures are epilepsy, and the medicines and support used to reduce how often they happen.Epilepsy management in children and young people (Management of childhood epilepsy (anti-seizure medication, seizure safety and emergency care planning))The ongoing care of a child or young person with epilepsy — choosing and adjusting medicines, planning for seizure safety and emergencies, and reviewing as they grow.Epley manoeuvre (BPPV repositioning treatment) (Epley manoeuvre (canalith repositioning procedure for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo))A drug-free treatment for BPPV where the clinician guides your head through a set sequence of positions to move loose inner-ear crystals back to where they belong.ERCP (bile duct endoscopy) (Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography)A camera test that looks at the bile and pancreatic ducts and can clear blockages, remove stones or place a stent at the same time.Erectile dysfunction treatment (management of erectile dysfunction (impotence))A step-by-step way of helping men get and keep an erection firm enough for sex, starting with lifestyle and tablets and checking for any underlying cause.Essential tremor assessment (Assessment of tremor (suspected essential tremor))A specialist assessment to work out what is causing a tremor (shaking), to see whether it is essential tremor or another cause, and to discuss what, if anything, to do about it.Event recorder or implantable loop recorder (External event recorder / implantable loop recorder (insertable cardiac monitor))Heart-rhythm monitors that record your heartbeat over weeks to years to catch symptoms, such as blackouts or palpitations, that happen too rarely for a short test to find.Evoked potentials test (Evoked potentials (EP) studies)A usually not painful test that measures how quickly and reliably nerve signals reach the brain in response to sight, sound or touch, used to check the nerve pathways.Exam stress and pressure (Recognising and managing exam-related stress and anxiety in young people)Help for young people whose worry about exams and pressure to do well is affecting their sleep, mood, eating or ability to cope, including when stress tips into something more serious.Examination under anaesthetic (EUA) (Examination under anaesthetic (EUA) in children)A careful examination of part of a child's body while they are asleep under a general anaesthetic, usually to find or confirm a diagnosis when an awake examination would be difficult or distressing.Excised lesion and specimen analysis (Histopathological analysis of an excised lesion or surgical specimen)This guide explains what happens when a lump or lesion that has been removed is examined in the laboratory, including what the edges (margins) of the sample can tell you.Exercise prescription (Exercise prescription (exercise as medicine))A tailored plan that uses physical activity as a treatment — to improve health, manage a long-term condition, or recover from injury — set up with sensible safety checks.Exercise tolerance test (treadmill test) (Exercise tolerance test (exercise electrocardiography / exercise stress test))A recording of your heart's electrical activity and blood pressure while you walk on a treadmill (or pedal a bike), to see how your heart copes with the effort of exercise.Express / rapid STI testing (express asymptomatic sexually transmitted infection testing)A streamlined STI testing service for people with no symptoms, designed to be quick and low-contact, usually covering HIV, syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea.External beam radiotherapy (External beam radiotherapy (EBRT))A cancer treatment that uses carefully aimed beams of radiation from a machine to destroy or control cancer cells, given as one or more planned sessions.Eyelid cyst / chalazion removal (incision and curettage of a chalazion (meibomian cyst))A small procedure to drain and scrape out a blocked, swollen oil gland in the eyelid (a chalazion or meibomian cyst) that has not settled on its own.Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)Surgery to remove or reposition excess skin and fat from the upper or lower eyelids for a fresher, less tired look.
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Facelift (rhytidectomy)Surgery to lift and reposition the sagging tissues of the lower face and neck, softening jowls and folds for a firmer, more rested look.Facet joint injection (Facet joint injection (intra-articular facet block))An X-ray or ultrasound-guided injection of local anaesthetic, usually with a steroid, into one or more of the small facet joints of the spine to see whether they are a source of pain and to try to settle it for a while.Facial reconstruction (Reconstructive surgery of the face (following skin cancer removal, trauma or congenital difference))Surgery to rebuild the face after a tumour is removed, after injury, or to correct a congenital difference, aiming to restore both appearance and function such as eyelid, lip or nose movement.Facial skin cancer surgery (Surgical excision and reconstruction of facial skin cancer)An operation to remove a skin cancer from the face with a clear margin of healthy tissue, and to repair the wound, while keeping appearance and function as good as possible.Facial trauma / fracture repair (Repair of facial fractures (open reduction and internal fixation))Surgery to put broken facial bones — such as the jaw, cheek, eye socket or nose — back into position and hold them while they heal, used when the break has affected how the face looks, bites or works.Faecal calprotectin test (faecal calprotectin (stool inflammation marker))A stool (poo) test that measures a protein released when the bowel is inflamed, used mainly to help tell inflammatory bowel disease apart from irritable bowel syndrome.Faints, fits and funny turns in children (Assessment of paroxysmal events (syncope, seizures and non-epileptic events) in children)An assessment to work out why a child has had a faint, a fit, or another sudden 'funny turn', and whether it is something simple or needs more tests.Falls and acute mobility assessment (Multifactorial falls risk and acute mobility assessment)A thorough medical assessment to find out why someone is falling or struggling to move safely, and to plan ways to lower the risk.Falls assessment (Multifactorial falls risk assessment)A thorough assessment of why an older person is falling or unsteady, looking at many possible causes together so the treatable ones can be found and acted on.Faltering growth and weight concerns in children (Faltering growth)What it means when a baby or child is gaining weight more slowly than expected, how growth is measured and assessed, and what a careful, supportive work-up looks for.Family support and intervention (Family and carer support in addiction; family intervention)Help and guidance for partners, parents, children, friends and carers affected by someone else's drinking or drug use — to look after themselves and, where possible, encourage their loved one towards help.Family therapy referral (Referral for family and systemic psychotherapy)A talking therapy where family members meet together with a trained therapist to understand difficulties, improve communication and support each other, often used to help a child or young person.Fatigue management (palliative care) (Management of fatigue in palliative care)How a palliative care team helps you manage fatigue, the overwhelming tiredness and weakness that is one of the most common and disabling symptoms of serious illness.Fatty liver disease assessment (Assessment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD, formerly NAFLD))A staged assessment to confirm fatty liver, look for scarring, and address the underlying causes through lifestyle and risk factors.Feeding tube (gastrostomy) (Gastrostomy insertion (including percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, PEG))A procedure to place a feeding tube directly into a child's stomach through the tummy wall, so they can be fed, given fluids and given medicines when feeding by mouth is not enough.Female sterilisation (Tubal occlusion (female sterilisation))An operation that blocks or removes the fallopian tubes to stop you getting pregnant, intended as a permanent and irreversible form of contraception.Femoral hernia repair (femoral herniorrhaphy)An operation to push back the bulge of a femoral hernia in the groin and strengthen the weak spot, usually advised soon after diagnosis because the risk of the bowel becoming trapped is higher than with other hernias.Femoral-popliteal bypass (Femoropopliteal bypass graft)An operation that reroutes blood from the artery in the groin to the artery behind the knee, bypassing a blockage in the thigh.FeNO test (exhaled nitric oxide) (Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) test)A simple breathing test that measures a gas in your breath to look for a type of inflammation in the airways linked to asthma.Fertility assessment (fertility MOT) (Fertility assessment / ovarian reserve and baseline fertility testing)A set of tests and a consultation to give a snapshot of your reproductive health, usually including hormone blood tests, an ovarian reserve check and, for men, a semen analysis.Fertility preservation before cancer treatment (Oncofertility: fertility preservation before cancer therapy)Urgently collecting and freezing eggs, sperm, embryos or reproductive tissue before cancer treatment that may harm fertility, so you may still have a chance of a child later.Fever after travel assessment (Assessment of fever in the returning traveller)An urgent same-day check for anyone who develops a fever after travelling abroad, mainly to rule out malaria and other serious infections quickly.Fibroadenoma removal (Excision of breast fibroadenoma (excision biopsy or vacuum-assisted excision))An operation to remove a fibroadenoma, a common benign breast lump, either through a small cut or with a vacuum-assisted needle device.Fibromyalgia treatment (Fibromyalgia management)Long-term management of fibromyalgia, a condition causing widespread pain, fatigue and poor sleep, focusing on activity, therapies and selective medicines rather than a cure.FibroScan (liver scan) (transient elastography (vibration-controlled transient elastography))A quick, usually not painful scan that measures how stiff your liver is, to estimate scarring (fibrosis) and, on most machines, how much fat is in it.Flexible sigmoidoscopyA test that uses a thin, flexible camera to look at the lower part of the bowel (the rectum and left side of the colon) to find the cause of symptoms or check for changes such as inflammation or polyps.Fluoroscopy (including barium studies) (Fluoroscopy and contrast studies (e.g. barium swallow, meal, follow-through and enema))A moving X-ray test that uses a contrast liquid such as barium to watch how part of the body works in real time — for example the gullet, stomach or bowel.Foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins (Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy)An injection treatment for varicose veins, where a foamed medicine is injected to irritate the vein lining so the vein collapses and is absorbed by the body.Food allergy and anaphylaxis advice (Food allergy and anaphylaxis management in children)How to recognise, prevent and treat food allergy and severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) in children — including adrenaline auto-injectors, an action plan, and when to call 999.Food allergy assessment and management (Food allergy diagnosis and management (IgE and non-IgE mediated))A specialist assessment to find out which foods cause your or your child's allergic reactions, followed by a plan to avoid them safely and treat any reactions.Food handler fitness check (Food handler fitness-to-work assessment (food-safety standards))A check of whether you are fit to handle food safely, focusing on infections and conditions that could be passed on through food.Food intolerance assessment (Assessment of suspected food intolerance)A careful assessment of symptoms linked to food, to tell true intolerance from food allergy and other causes, and to plan a sensible, evidence-based approach — not a high-street 'intolerance' blood test.Foot fusion surgery (foot and ankle arthrodesis (fusion of the ankle, hindfoot or midfoot joints))An operation that permanently joins together one or more worn or deformed joints in the foot or ankle to relieve pain, trading movement at that joint for a more stable, comfortable foot.Foreign body removal (Removal of a foreign body (skin, eye, ear or nose))A minor procedure to safely take out an object stuck in the skin, eye, ear or nose, when it cannot be removed at home or is causing problems.Fractional flow reserve (FFR) assessment (Fractional flow reserve (FFR) / pressure-wire study)A test done during a heart angiogram that uses a fine pressure-sensing wire to measure whether a narrowing in a heart artery is actually limiting blood flow.Fracture and suspected broken bone assessment (Assessment of a suspected fracture (including X-ray))An examination and usually an X-ray to find out whether a bone is broken after an injury, and to decide how it should be treated.Frailty assessment (Frailty assessment (identification of frailty))An assessment that judges how frail an older person is, so that reversible problems can be found and care, medicines and support can be tailored to them.Free flap reconstruction (Free tissue transfer (microvascular free flap))A major operation that moves a block of the body's own tissue, with its blood vessels, to rebuild an area, reconnecting the vessels under a microscope.Freezing treatment for genital warts (cryotherapy) (Cryotherapy (cryocautery) for anogenital warts)A clinic treatment that uses very cold liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy genital warts, usually over several sessions.Frontotemporal dementia assessmentAn assessment to find out whether changes in personality, behaviour or language are caused by frontotemporal dementia, a less common type that often affects younger people.Frozen section diagnosis during surgery (Intraoperative frozen section examination)A rapid examination of a tissue sample by a pathologist while you are still in the operation, giving the surgeon a quick, preliminary answer to help guide what they do next.Frozen shoulder release (Manipulation under anaesthetic and/or arthroscopic capsular release for adhesive capsulitis)A procedure to free up a stiff, painful frozen shoulder, either by stretching the tight joint capsule while you are asleep (manipulation) or by cutting the scarred tissue from inside the joint with keyhole surgery (capsular release).Full blood count review (Full blood count (FBC) and interpretation)A common blood test that counts your red cells, white cells and platelets, reviewed by a clinician to help explain symptoms or check your general health.Full lung function tests (gas transfer) (Full lung function testing including gas transfer (transfer factor, TLCO/DLCO))A set of detailed breathing tests, including how well oxygen passes from the lungs into the blood, used to build a fuller picture of lung function.Full skin / mole check (Full skin examination (total body skin examination) and mole check)A head-to-toe examination of the skin and moles by a clinician, usually with a dermatoscope, to look for anything that might need a closer look or removal.Full STI screen (comprehensive sexually transmitted infection screen)A set of tests for the common sexually transmitted infections — usually HIV, syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea — for people who want a thorough check.Functional and mobility assessmentAn assessment by a therapist or rehabilitation team to see how well you move and manage daily activities, work out what is limiting you, and agree a plan to improve safety and independence.Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) (Functional endoscopic sinus surgery)Keyhole surgery through the nostrils to open blocked sinuses, usually for chronic rhinosinusitis when sprays, rinses and other treatment have not controlled the symptoms.Functional neurological disorder (FND) assessment (Functional neurological disorder assessment)A specialist neurology assessment to diagnose functional neurological disorder, a genuine condition where the nervous system is not working properly even though it is not damaged.
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Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) (Cholecystectomy)Keyhole or open surgery to remove the gallbladder, usually because gallstones are causing pain or other problems.Gambling addiction treatment (Treatment for gambling disorder (harmful gambling))Talking therapy, support and practical tools that help people who are harmed by gambling to regain control, with care for the money, relationship and mental health problems that often come with it.Gaming and internet addiction (Gaming disorder and problematic internet use)Assessment and support for people whose gaming or internet use has become hard to control and is harming their daily life, with honest care about what is and is not a recognised condition.Ganglion removal (Ganglion cyst excision)Removing a fluid-filled lump (a ganglion cyst) from the wrist, hand or finger when it causes pain, restricts movement or will not settle on its own.Gastric (stomach) polyp removal (Endoscopic gastric polypectomy (removal of stomach polyps), sometimes by endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) or endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD))A procedure, usually done during a gastroscopy, to remove one or more growths (polyps) from the lining of the stomach and send them to the laboratory to be checked.Gastric balloon insertion (Intragastric balloon insertion (endoscopic placement of a fluid- or gas-filled balloon in the stomach))A temporary soft balloon placed in the stomach, usually during a gastroscopy, to help you feel full sooner and support weight loss alongside a diet and lifestyle programme.Gastric band removal or adjustment (Removal or adjustment of a laparoscopic adjustable gastric band)Tightening, loosening or taking out an adjustable gastric band placed for weight loss, usually because it is too tight, too loose, causing problems, or no longer helping.Gastric band surgery (Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB))An operation that places an adjustable silicone band around the top of the stomach to create a small pouch, so you feel full sooner and eat less as part of a weight-management plan.Gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y) (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB))A weight-loss operation that creates a small stomach pouch and reroutes the small bowel, so you eat less and absorb fewer calories, used for severe obesity and weight-related illness.Gastric sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy) (Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG))A weight-loss operation that removes most of the stomach, leaving a narrow tube, so you feel full sooner and eat less, used for severe obesity and weight-related illness.Gastroenterology consultation (Gastroenterology specialist consultation)An appointment with a specialist in the digestive system to assess gut, liver or bowel symptoms, work out the likely cause, and plan any tests or treatment.Gastroscopy (Oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD) / upper GI endoscopy)A test where a thin, flexible camera is passed through the mouth to look at the lining of the gullet, stomach and the first part of the small bowel, find the cause of symptoms and take samples.General anaesthetic for surgery (General anaesthesia)Medicines, given and managed by an anaesthetist, that put you into a controlled, monitored state of unconsciousness so you feel nothing during an operation.General medical work-up of complex symptoms (General internal medicine assessment of complex or unexplained symptoms)A broad, joined-up medical assessment by a physician to investigate several symptoms or an unclear problem and work towards a diagnosis and plan.Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) (Generalised anxiety disorder)Help for ongoing, hard-to-control worry that affects your daily life, using talking therapy, medication where needed, and self-help — with support to find what works for you.Genetic cancer risk assessment (Cancer genetic counselling and predictive/diagnostic germline testing)A counselling-led assessment of whether your personal and family history suggests an inherited cancer risk, sometimes followed by a blood or saliva test to look for a faulty gene.Genetic carrier screening (Genetic carrier testing (preconception and reproductive))A blood or saliva test to see whether you carry a gene change for certain inherited conditions that could be passed to a child if both partners carry a change in the same gene.Genital rash and lump assessment (Assessment of genital rashes, lumps and ulcers)An assessment of a rash, lump, spot or ulcer on the genitals to find out what is causing it — because the cause may be harmless, an infection, or, rarely, something serious such as cancer.Genital warts diagnosis and treatment (Anogenital warts (HPV) diagnosis and treatment)Diagnosing genital warts, small lumps caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), and treating them with creams, freezing or removal, while being clear that treatment clears the warts but not the virus.Geriatric medicine consultation (Specialist assessment in geriatric medicine (comprehensive geriatric assessment))A specialist appointment for older people that looks at health, medicines, mobility, memory, mood and home life together, to build a personal plan around what matters most to you.Gestational diabetes care (Management of gestational diabetes mellitus)Care to keep blood sugar in a safe range during a pregnancy where diabetes has appeared, to protect both mother and baby.Getting a second opinion about cancer (Second opinion in cancer diagnosis and treatment)A consultation where a different cancer specialist reviews your diagnosis and treatment plan, so you can feel more confident about your options.Giant cell arteritis treatment (Giant cell arteritis (temporal arteritis) management)Urgent treatment of giant cell arteritis, an inflammation of the arteries around the head, started quickly with steroids to protect your sight.Glandular fever assessment (Infectious mononucleosis assessment (Epstein-Barr virus))An assessment, usually including a blood test, to find out whether a sore throat, fever and swollen glands are caused by glandular fever (the Epstein-Barr virus).Glaucoma surgery (trabeculectomy) (Trabeculectomy (glaucoma filtration surgery))An operation to lower the pressure inside the eye in glaucoma, by creating a new drainage channel so fluid can leave the eye more easily and protect the optic nerve.Global developmental delay assessment (Assessment of global developmental delay in children)An assessment for a young child who is slower than expected to reach milestones in two or more areas of development, to understand why and to put the right support in place.Glomerulonephritis management (management of glomerulonephritis (glomerular disease))Ongoing specialist care for inflammation or damage of the kidney's filters, aiming to protect kidney function and treat the cause.Goal-based rehabilitation programme (Goal-based (goal-oriented) rehabilitation programme)A structured rehabilitation programme built around your own goals, using a coordinated team to help you regain function and independence after illness or injury — focused on what you can do, not a cure.Gonorrhoea test and treatment (Neisseria gonorrhoeae testing and antibiotic treatment)A test to check for gonorrhoea, a common bacterial sexually transmitted infection, and antibiotic treatment (usually an injection) to clear it if found.Gout treatment (Gout management (urate-lowering therapy))Treatment to settle painful gout attacks and, over time, lower the uric acid in your blood so the attacks stop coming back.Graves' disease treatment (Management of Graves' disease (autoimmune hyperthyroidism))Treatment to control an overactive thyroid caused by Graves' disease, using medicines, radioactive iodine or surgery.Grommet insertion (child) (Insertion of grommets (ventilation tubes) for glue ear)A short day-case operation in which a tiny tube (grommet) is placed in a child's eardrum to drain fluid and improve hearing in glue ear.Gut biopsy reporting (endoscopy samples) (Gastrointestinal histopathology reporting)This guide explains what happens to the tiny tissue samples taken during a gut camera test (endoscopy), how a pathologist examines them, and what the report can and cannot tell you.Gynaecological cancer (oncology) care (Gynaecological oncology care)Specialist, team-based care for cancers of the womb, ovaries, cervix, vulva or vagina, covering diagnosis, staging and treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
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Haematology consultation (Clinical haematology outpatient consultation)An appointment with a blood specialist (haematologist) to look into an abnormal blood result or symptom, work out the cause, and agree what should happen next.Haemochromatosis (iron overload) management (Management of genetic (hereditary) haemochromatosis)The long-term plan for lowering and controlling iron in the body when you have haemochromatosis, so it does not damage your liver, joints, heart and other organs.Haemodialysis (Haemodialysis for kidney failure)A treatment that uses a machine to filter waste and excess fluid from your blood when your kidneys can no longer do it.Haemophilia treatment and care (Haemophilia management)Lifelong, specialist-led care for haemophilia — an inherited bleeding disorder — using clotting factor replacement or other treatments to prevent and control bleeding, mainly into joints and muscles.Haemorrhoid removal (haemorrhoidectomy)An operation to cut away large or troublesome piles (haemorrhoids), usually considered only when simpler treatments have not worked.Haemorrhoidal artery ligation (HALO) (Haemorrhoidal artery ligation)A procedure that uses stitches to tie off the small arteries supplying the haemorrhoids (piles), reducing their blood flow so they shrink, sometimes with the haemorrhoid also stitched back into place.Hair loss (alopecia) assessment (Clinical assessment of alopecia)An appointment with a dermatologist to work out the cause of hair loss or thinning, using your history, an examination of the scalp and hair, and sometimes simple tests, so the right management can be discussed.Hammer toe correction (Surgical correction of lesser toe deformity (arthroplasty, arthrodesis or tendon transfer))An operation to straighten a bent lesser toe (hammer, claw or mallet toe) that is painful or rubbing, usually by removing or fusing part of a toe joint and sometimes adjusting the tendons.Hand surgery (Surgery of the hand and wrist)A broad term for operations on the hand and wrist to treat injuries, nerve and tendon problems, arthritis, lumps and other conditions, aiming to restore movement, strength and use.Hand-arm vibration (HAVS) assessment (Health surveillance for hand-arm vibration syndrome)A staged set of checks an employer arranges for workers who use vibrating tools, to catch early signs of hand-arm vibration syndrome — numb or whitening fingers, tingling and loss of grip — before damage becomes permanent.Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) management (Allergic rhinitis management)A stepwise approach to controlling hay fever symptoms, starting with simple treatments and reserving immunotherapy for stubborn cases under specialist care.Hay fever treatment for children (Treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever))Treatment to ease a child's hay fever symptoms — sneezing, a runny or blocked nose and itchy, watery eyes — when pollen sets them off, usually using antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays and eye drops.Head and neck cancer radiotherapy (Radiotherapy for head and neck cancer (radical, adjuvant or palliative external beam radiotherapy))A planned course of radiation that aims to treat cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box, salivary glands or nearby areas, given as daily beams from outside the body.Head and neck cancer treatment (Treatment of head and neck cancers (mouth, throat, voice box, salivary glands and related sites))The treatments used for cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box and related areas — usually surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, often in combination — planned by a specialist team according to the site, type and stage.Headaches and migraine in children (Headache and migraine in children and young people)Why children get headaches and migraines, how they are usually managed, and the red-flag warning signs that mean a child needs to be seen urgently.Health anxiety treatment (Treatment for health anxiety (illness anxiety / hypochondriasis))Support and talking therapy that help you worry less about your health, break the cycle of checking and seeking reassurance, and get back to living — without needing endless tests.Health surveillance programme (Occupational health surveillance)A planned scheme of repeated checks an employer arranges for workers exposed to certain workplace hazards, to catch any early signs of work-related ill health and act on them.Hearing aid assessment and fittingAn assessment to decide whether hearing aids would help, followed by choosing, fitting and adjusting them to your hearing.Hearing and balance assessment (Audiovestibular assessment)A specialist set of usually not painful tests, led by an audiovestibular doctor or audiologist, that measure how well you hear and how well your inner-ear balance organs are working, to find the cause of hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness or unsteadiness.Hearing assessment and balance testing (Audiological and vestibular assessment)A set of usually not painful tests that measure how well you hear and how well your balance organs are working, to help find the cause of hearing loss, dizziness or unsteadiness.Heart bypass surgery (Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG))A major heart operation that uses a blood vessel from your chest, leg or arm to carry blood around narrowed coronary arteries, easing angina and lowering the risk of a heart attack.Heart failure management (Medical management of chronic heart failure)Ongoing treatment to control the symptoms of heart failure and protect the heart, using lifestyle changes, medicines, monitoring and sometimes devices — not a one-off operation.Heart murmur assessment in children (Paediatric heart murmur assessment)A check to find out whether the extra heart sound (murmur) heard in a child is a harmless 'innocent' murmur or a sign of an underlying heart problem.Heart valve surgery (Heart valve repair or replacement surgery)An overview of surgery to repair or replace a faulty heart valve, covering which valves are affected, repair versus replacement, valve choices and what recovery involves.Heavy periods (heavy menstrual bleeding) treatment (Management of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB))An explanation of the stepwise options for managing heavy periods, from medicines and a hormonal coil through to procedures and, rarely, surgery.Heller's myotomy (achalasia surgery) (Laparoscopic Heller's myotomy (cardiomyotomy) with partial fundoplication for achalasia)A keyhole operation for achalasia that cuts the tight muscle at the lower end of the gullet so food and drink can pass into the stomach more easily, usually with a partial wrap to limit acid reflux.Hepatitis A and B vaccination (Hepatitis A and hepatitis B immunisation)Vaccines that help protect against hepatitis A and hepatitis B, two liver infections that can be passed on through sex, close contact or contaminated food and water.Hepatitis B and C testing (Hepatitis B and hepatitis C blood testing)A blood test to check for hepatitis B and hepatitis C, two viruses that affect the liver and often cause no symptoms for years.Hepatitis B diagnosis and long-term treatment (Hepatitis B diagnosis and treatment)Testing to find hepatitis B and long-term care to control the virus, protect the liver and lower the risk of liver damage and liver cancer.Hepatitis B screening and treatment (Hepatitis B screening and management)A blood test that checks for the hepatitis B virus, and the long-term monitoring and medicine that protect the liver if the infection becomes long-lasting.Hepatitis C diagnosis and treatmentTesting to find hepatitis C and a short course of antiviral tablets that clears the virus in most people, protecting the liver from further damage.Hepatitis C screening and treatment (Hepatitis C screening and treatment (direct-acting antivirals))A blood test that checks for the hepatitis C virus, and a short course of tablets that cures the infection in most people.Hereditary angioedema diagnosis and management (Hereditary angioedema (HAE) diagnosis and management)Specialist diagnosis and long-term care of hereditary angioedema — an inherited condition causing recurrent deep swelling that does not respond to adrenaline, antihistamines or steroids and needs its own specific treatment and emergency plan.Herpes (HSV) testing and management (Herpes simplex virus (HSV) testing and management)Testing for the herpes simplex virus when you have a sore, and looking after symptoms of genital herpes, a common and very manageable infection that cannot be cured but can be well controlled.Hiatus hernia repair (hiatus hernia repair with fundoplication)Keyhole surgery to pull the stomach back below the diaphragm, tighten the diaphragm opening, and usually wrap part of the stomach around the lower food pipe to reduce acid reflux from a hiatus hernia.Hidradenitis suppurativa management (Treatment and management of hidradenitis suppurativa)The range of treatments and support a dermatologist may offer for hidradenitis suppurativa, a long-term skin condition causing painful lumps, abscesses and scarring in areas such as the armpits and groin.High blood pressure management (Management of hypertension (high blood pressure))Ongoing treatment to lower and control high blood pressure using lifestyle changes, monitoring and, where needed, medicines — to reduce the long-term risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney problems.High cholesterol management (Management of hyperlipidaemia (lipid-lowering treatment))Ongoing care to lower raised cholesterol and other blood fats, using lifestyle change and medicines, to reduce the long-term risk of heart attack and stroke.High-dependency care (HDU) (High-dependency unit (HDU) care)What a high-dependency unit (HDU) is, why someone may need this close level of monitoring, and how it sits between a normal ward and full intensive care.High-risk surgery review (Anaesthetic high-risk / fitness-for-surgery review)An anaesthetist-led assessment that works out how well your body is likely to cope with a planned operation, so you and your team can make a careful, shared decision about whether and how to go ahead.High-volume injection for tendinopathy (High-volume image-guided injection for tendinopathy)An ultrasound-guided injection of a relatively large volume of fluid (usually saline and local anaesthetic, sometimes with a small dose of steroid) around a painful tendon, used as an adjunct for stubborn tendinopathy — with mixed and limited evidence.Hip and groin pain assessment (Clinical assessment of hip and groin pain)A clinic appointment to work out why your hip or groin hurts, what is likely causing it, and what to do about it — from muscle and tendon strains to joint problems.Hip replacement (Total hip replacement (total hip arthroplasty))An operation that replaces a worn or damaged hip joint with an artificial one to ease pain and help you move more easily.Histology results consultation (Consultation to explain histopathology (biopsy) results)An appointment where a specialist explains what your biopsy or tissue sample showed under the microscope, what it means for you, and what the plan is.HIV PEP (emergency anti-HIV medicine) (HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP / PEPSE))An emergency course of anti-HIV medicine that may stop HIV taking hold if it is started very soon after a possible exposure.HIV PrEP (a pill to prevent HIV) (HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP))A medicine taken by people who do not have HIV to greatly reduce their chance of getting it from sex, when taken as directed.HIV test (HIV testing (antigen/antibody and other assays))A test, usually on blood, that checks whether you have HIV so that, if you do, you can start treatment early and stay well.HIV treatment (antiretroviral therapy) (HIV management and antiretroviral therapy (ART))Daily medicine and regular specialist care that keep HIV under control, protect your health and stop the virus being passed on.Hole in the heart repair (ASD / PFO closure) (Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect (ASD) or patent foramen ovale (PFO))A keyhole procedure to close a small hole between the two upper chambers of the heart using a device passed up from a vein in the groin.Holiday dialysis (Dialysis away from base (holiday haemodialysis))Arranging your usual dialysis at a unit away from home so you can travel or take a holiday safely.Home detox programme (Community (home-based) medically assisted withdrawal)A medically assisted withdrawal carried out at home with regular professional monitoring, for carefully selected lower-risk people, usually for alcohol — with higher-risk people needing inpatient detox instead.Home oxygen assessment (Home oxygen assessment (including assessment for long-term and ambulatory oxygen therapy))An assessment, including blood oxygen tests, to find out whether home oxygen would genuinely help you and, if so, how much and when to use it.Home palliative care support (Community palliative care (care at home))Specialist and practical support that helps people with a serious or life-limiting illness stay comfortable and cared for in their own home.Home sleep study (Home respiratory polygraphy (cardiorespiratory sleep study))An overnight test done in your own bed that records breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate and effort, used mainly to diagnose obstructive sleep apnoea.Home visit assessment (Comprehensive geriatric assessment in the home (domiciliary assessment))A visit to an older person's home by a geriatrician or specialist team to assess health, medicines, memory, mobility and safety, and to agree a plan that helps them stay well and independent.Hormone blood tests (fertility) (Reproductive hormone profile)Blood tests, often timed to the menstrual cycle, that check whether you are ovulating and look for hormone problems that can affect fertility.Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (Menopausal hormone therapy)Medicine that replaces the hormones your body makes less of around the menopause, mainly to ease symptoms.Hormone therapy for cancer (Hormone (endocrine) therapy for cancer)Cancer treatment that lowers or blocks hormones for cancers that use hormones to grow, most often breast and prostate cancer.Hospice referral and care (Specialist palliative care (hospice services))Specialist care for people with a serious or life-limiting illness, focused on comfort, symptoms and support for the whole person and their family.House dust mite allergy managementWays to control symptoms caused by an allergy to house dust mites, from reducing exposure and using medicines to, in severe cases, immunotherapy started by a specialist.HPV vaccination (Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination)A vaccine that protects against the human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes most cervical cancers and some other cancers and genital warts.Hydrocele repair (Surgical repair of a scrotal hydrocele (hydrocelectomy))An operation to treat a hydrocele — a build-up of fluid around the testicle that causes a soft, usually not painful scrotal swelling — by draining the fluid and stitching or removing the sac so it does not refill.Hydrogen breath test (hydrogen and methane breath test (for SIBO, lactose or fructose intolerance))A simple breath test that looks for extra hydrogen or methane gas to help work out whether you have a sugar you cannot digest well, or too many bacteria in your small bowel.Hyperacusis (sound sensitivity) assessment (hyperacusis and decreased sound tolerance assessment)An assessment for people who find everyday sounds uncomfortably or painfully loud, to understand the type of sound sensitivity, look for any cause, and plan management that gently rebuilds tolerance.Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) treatment (Treatment of hyperhidrosis (primary focal and secondary))A range of treatments to reduce excessive sweating that is interfering with daily life, from strong antiperspirants and a small electric-current treatment to injections, tablets and, rarely, surgery.Hyperhidrosis (sympathectomy) surgery (Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis)Keyhole chest surgery that interrupts part of the sympathetic nerve chain to reduce excessive sweating, usually of the hands, used only when other treatments have not worked and after careful counselling about side effects.Hypermobility assessment (Joint hypermobility and hypermobility spectrum disorder assessment)A clinical assessment to work out whether very flexible joints are causing symptoms, and whether they fit a hypermobility spectrum disorder or hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.Hypospadias repair (hypospadias repair (urethroplasty))An operation to move the opening of a boy's urethra (wee tube) to the tip of the penis and straighten it, when he is born with hypospadias.Hysterectomy (womb removal) (Hysterectomy (abdominal, vaginal or laparoscopic))An operation to remove the womb, used for several conditions; it permanently ends periods and the ability to carry a pregnancy.Hysteroscopy (Hysteroscopy (telescope examination of the womb))A test that uses a thin telescope passed through the vagina and cervix to look inside the womb, and sometimes to take a sample or remove small growths.
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IgG subclass testing (IgG subclasses (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4))A blood test that breaks IgG antibody down into its four subclasses (IgG1–IgG4), used selectively when total antibody levels look normal but a specialist still suspects an antibody problem.Ileal pouch surgery (Ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA))An operation that makes an internal pouch from the small bowel and joins it to the back passage, so you can pass stool normally after the large bowel has been removed.Ileostomy formationAn operation that brings the end of the small bowel (ileum) out through an opening on the tummy, so waste passes into a pouch instead of through the back passage.Ill-health retirement assessment (Independent occupational health assessment for ill-health retirement)An independent occupational health assessment that gives a medical opinion on whether your health meets your pension scheme's criteria to retire early on ill-health grounds.Image-guided biopsy (Image-guided percutaneous biopsy)A minor procedure in which a radiologist uses a scan to guide a needle and take a small sample of tissue or fluid for testing, to help reach a diagnosis.Image-guided drainage of an abscess or fluid (Image-guided percutaneous drainage)A minimally invasive procedure in which an interventional radiologist uses a scan to guide a thin tube through a small skin puncture to drain an abscess or a collection of fluid.Image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT)The use of scans or X-rays taken at the radiotherapy machine, just before or during each session, to check your position and aim the radiation accurately.Image-guided spinal injection (Image-guided spinal injection (epidural, nerve root block or facet joint injection))An injection of local anaesthetic, usually with steroid, placed precisely around an irritated spinal nerve or joint using X-ray or CT guidance, mainly to ease nerve-related leg or arm pain for a time as part of a wider plan.Image-guided steroid injectionAn injection of steroid (usually with local anaesthetic) placed accurately using a scan — ultrasound, X-ray (fluoroscopy) or CT — to reduce pain and swelling in a joint, soft tissue or around a spinal nerve.Immune system blood tests (Immunological investigations (immune function blood tests))A set of blood tests a clinical immunologist may use to find out whether your immune system is working normally, usually when infections are unusually frequent, severe or hard to shift.Immunoglobulin level testing (Quantitative immunoglobulins (serum IgG, IgA, IgM))A blood test that measures the main antibody types — IgG, IgA and IgM — to look for an antibody deficiency or excess, usually when infections are frequent or severe or another condition is suspected.Immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IVIG) (Intravenous immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IVIG))A treatment that replaces missing antibodies using a drip into a vein, given regularly to people with certain immune deficiencies to reduce serious infections.Immunohistochemistry testing (IHC) (Immunohistochemistry (IHC))This guide explains immunohistochemistry — a laboratory test that uses special stains on a tissue sample to identify cells more precisely — and what it adds to a pathology report.Immunotherapy for cancer (Cancer immunotherapy (including immune checkpoint inhibitors))A type of cancer treatment that uses medicines to help your own immune system find and attack cancer cells.Implantable contact lens (ICL) (Phakic intraocular lens implantation)An elective operation that places a thin lens permanently inside the eye, in front of your own natural lens, to reduce or remove the need for glasses or contact lenses.IMSI / advanced sperm selection (Intracytoplasmic morphologic sperm injection (IMSI))An optional 'add-on' to ICSI that uses very high-magnification microscopy to pick sperm; the HFEA says there is not enough good evidence that it improves the chance of having a baby for most patients.In-laboratory sleep study (Polysomnography (attended in-laboratory sleep study))A detailed overnight test in a sleep unit that records brain waves, breathing, oxygen, heart rate and movement to diagnose sleep apnoea and other sleep disorders.Incisional hernia repair (incisional herniorrhaphy (ventral hernia repair))An operation to repair a hernia that has formed through the scar of a previous tummy operation, usually by closing the weak area and reinforcing it with mesh.Infectious diseases consultation (Infectious diseases specialist consultation)An appointment with a specialist in infections, to assess symptoms such as persistent fever, a possible imported or tropical infection, or a complex or recurrent infection, and to plan tests and treatment.Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's / colitis) management (management of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis))The long-term medical care used to control inflammation in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, aiming to settle flares, keep the bowel in remission and reduce complications.Ingrown toenail surgery (Nail surgery for ingrown toenail (partial nail avulsion with phenol matrixectomy))A small procedure under local anaesthetic to remove part or all of a painful ingrown toenail, usually treating the nail edge so it does not regrow and dig in again.Inguinal (groin) hernia repair (Inguinal hernia repair (herniorrhaphy / hernioplasty))An operation to push a groin hernia back inside and strengthen the weak spot in the abdominal wall, usually with a mesh.Inhaler technique review (Inhaler technique review and optimisation)A short appointment where a clinician watches how you use your inhalers and helps you correct any mistakes, so more of the medicine reaches your lungs.Injections for macular degeneration (anti-VEGF) (Intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy for neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration)Regular injections into the eye that aim to control wet age-related macular degeneration and protect central vision, usually needing repeat treatment over a long period.Inpatient / residential rehabilitation referral (Referral to inpatient detox or residential rehabilitation for substance dependence)A referral into residential (live-in) treatment or inpatient detox for drug or alcohol dependence, where staying somewhere structured and supervised is safer or more helpful than treatment at home.Insect bites and stings (Assessment and treatment of insect bites and stings)Care for bites and stings from insects and ticks — most settle with simple self-care, but some reactions, infections and severe allergic reactions need medical help.Insulin pump therapy (Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (insulin pump))A small device that delivers insulin continuously through a tiny tube under the skin, instead of multiple daily injections.Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) (Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), including volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT))A precise form of external beam radiotherapy that shapes the radiation and varies its strength to match the tumour, aiming to spare more of the healthy tissue around it.Intensive care (ICU) (Intensive care (ICU) admission and management)What happens when someone is looked after in an intensive care unit (ICU), why it is needed, what the machines do, and what recovery can be like.Interstitial lung disease assessment (Assessment for interstitial lung disease (ILD))A set of tests and specialist review to find out whether you have interstitial lung disease (scarring or inflammation of the lung tissue), which type, and how to manage it.Intradermal allergy testing (Intradermal (intracutaneous) skin testing for allergy)A test where tiny amounts of a suspected allergen are injected just under the skin to look for an allergic reaction, used mainly for drug and insect-venom allergy when skin prick testing is not enough.Intrathecal baclofen assessment (Intrathecal baclofen trial (test dose) for severe spasticity)A specialist test that puts a single dose of baclofen into the fluid around the spinal cord to see whether it eases severe spasticity enough to consider a permanent baclofen pump.Intrathecal drug delivery (pain pump) (Intrathecal drug delivery system (implanted pain pump))An implanted pump that delivers pain or anti-spasm medicine directly to the fluid around the spinal cord, used only for selected people with severe pain after other options have failed and a trial.Intrauterine insemination (IUI)A fertility treatment in which prepared sperm is placed directly into the womb around the time of ovulation, often used with donor sperm or for mild fertility problems.Intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy (Intravenous antibiotic therapy (including outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy, OPAT))When antibiotics are given into a vein rather than as tablets, why this is sometimes needed, and how it can sometimes be continued at home through an OPAT service.Intravenous infusion treatment (a drip into a vein) (Intravenous (IV) infusion therapy in medical oncology)Giving cancer medicine straight into a vein through a drip, so it can travel in the bloodstream to reach cancer cells around the body.Investigating abnormal liver blood tests (Investigation of abnormal liver function tests (LFTs))The set of blood tests, scans and sometimes a biopsy used to find out why your liver blood tests are abnormal, and whether anything needs treating.Investigating jaundice (Investigation of jaundice (hyperbilirubinaemia))The blood tests, scans and sometimes a biopsy used to find out why your skin or eyes have turned yellow, and whether the cause needs urgent treatment.Investigation of a long-lasting cough (Investigation of chronic cough)The appointments and tests used to find out why a cough has lasted eight weeks or more, and to rule out serious causes.Investigation of an unexplained fever (PUO) (Pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) investigation)A careful, step-by-step specialist work-up to find the cause of a fever that has lasted some time without an obvious explanation.Investigation of breathlessness (Investigation of breathlessness (dyspnoea))The appointments and tests used to find out why you feel short of breath, which can come from the lungs, the heart or other causes.Iron infusion (intravenous iron) (Intravenous iron therapy)Giving iron straight into a vein through a drip to treat iron deficiency when iron tablets cannot be used or are not working.Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) management (management of irritable bowel syndrome)The combination of diet, lifestyle, medicines and sometimes psychological therapies used to control the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, a long-term but non-damaging gut condition.IVC filter insertion (Inferior vena cava (IVC) filter insertion and removal)A small metal device placed inside the large vein that returns blood from the legs to the heart, to catch blood clots and stop them reaching the lungs, mainly when blood-thinning medicine cannot be used.IVF (In vitro fertilisation (IVF))A fertility treatment where eggs are collected, fertilised with sperm in a laboratory, and one resulting embryo is placed back into the womb to try for a pregnancy.
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Jaundice in newborns (Assessment of neonatal jaundice (measurement of bilirubin in newborn babies))Checking and measuring jaundice (yellow colouring) in a newborn baby to find out how high the bilirubin level is and whether treatment or further tests are needed.Jaw joint arthroscopy (Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthroscopy)A keyhole procedure that lets a surgeon look inside the jaw joint with a fine telescope and gently wash it out, used for some jaw joint problems that have not settled with simpler treatments.Jaw realignment surgery (orthognathic surgery) (Orthognathic surgery (corrective jaw surgery))Planned surgery to reposition the upper jaw, lower jaw or both, almost always combined with a long course of braces, to correct the bite and the balance of the face.Joining a cancer clinical trial (Access to cancer clinical trials and experimental treatment)How people with cancer can find out about, and possibly join, a research study testing a new treatment, test or way of caring for people.Joint and ligament injury assessment (Clinical assessment of a joint or ligament injury)A clinical assessment of an injured joint or ligament to work out what is damaged, whether the joint is stable, and what rehabilitation or, occasionally, further treatment is needed.Joint and soft-tissue steroid injections (Corticosteroid injection for joints and soft tissues)An injection of a steroid (corticosteroid), often with local anaesthetic, into a painful joint or soft tissue to reduce inflammation and ease pain for a time.Joint aspiration (Joint aspiration (arthrocentesis))A quick procedure using a needle and syringe to draw fluid from a swollen joint, to help diagnose the cause or to relieve pressure.Joint injections (steroid or hyaluronic acid) (Intra-articular corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid (viscosupplementation) injection)Injections into a painful joint — either an anti-inflammatory steroid to calm pain and swelling for a while, or hyaluronic acid (a gel-like lubricant) aiming to ease osteoarthritis symptoms, though the evidence for hyaluronic acid is weak.
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Keloid scar treatment (Treatment of keloid (and hypertrophic) scars)Treatments to flatten, soften, shrink or settle a raised, overgrown scar (a keloid), and to reduce itching, pain and the chance of it growing back.Keyhole (laparoscopic) anti-reflux surgery (Laparoscopic fundoplication for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD))The keyhole way of doing anti-reflux surgery: strengthening the valve between the gullet and stomach through several small cuts, used for severe or hard-to-control acid reflux (GORD).Keyhole (laparoscopic) bowel surgery (Laparoscopic colorectal resection (minimally invasive bowel surgery))An approach to bowel surgery that uses several small cuts, a camera and instruments, instead of one large cut, to remove or repair part of the bowel — often with less pain and a quicker recovery than open surgery.Keyhole (laparoscopic) tummy surgery (Laparoscopic (minimally invasive) abdominal surgery in children)An operation inside a child's tummy done through a few small cuts using a camera and fine instruments, instead of one larger cut.Keyhole lung surgery (VATS) (Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS))A keyhole way of operating inside the chest using a camera and small cuts, used for many lung operations instead of opening the chest with a large incision.Kidney (nephrology) consultation (Nephrology specialist consultation)An appointment with a kidney specialist (nephrologist) to assess how your kidneys are working, find out why, and agree a plan to protect them and manage symptoms.Kidney biopsy (Percutaneous renal (kidney) biopsy)A test in which a fine needle is used, guided by ultrasound, to take a tiny sample of kidney tissue so it can be examined under a microscope to find the cause of a kidney problem.Kidney function blood tests (eGFR) (Renal function tests: serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR))A blood test that measures creatinine and other markers to estimate how well your kidneys are filtering your blood, reported as an eGFR.Kidney removal (nephrectomy) (Nephrectomy (radical or partial removal of the kidney))An operation to remove all of a kidney (radical nephrectomy) or just the part containing a tumour (partial nephrectomy), most often to treat kidney cancer, sometimes for a non-cancer problem.Kidney stone prevention and assessment (metabolic assessment and prevention of nephrolithiasis)An assessment to work out why you form kidney stones and what changes or treatment can lower the chance of getting more.Kidney stone removal (ureteroscopy) (Ureteroscopy and laser stone fragmentation (ureterorenoscopy))A keyhole operation that passes a thin telescope up the natural urine tubes to break up or remove a stone in the kidney or ureter, usually with a laser.Kidney support (dialysis) in intensive care (Renal replacement therapy (dialysis / haemofiltration) in critical care)A plain-English guide for families explaining how a filtering machine temporarily does the work of the kidneys in intensive care when they suddenly stop working, and what recovery may look like.Kidney transplant assessment (Assessment of suitability for kidney transplantation)A series of tests, scans and consultations to work out whether a kidney transplant is right and safe for you, and to prepare you for the waiting list or a living-donor transplant.Kidney ultrasound (Renal (kidney) ultrasound scan)A usually not painful scan that uses sound waves to look at the size, shape and structure of your kidneys, and often your bladder, without any radiation.Knee arthroscopy (Arthroscopy of the knee (keyhole knee surgery))Keyhole surgery that uses a small camera to look inside the knee and, in some cases, treat certain problems such as a true locked knee.Knee pain assessment (Clinical assessment of knee pain)A clinical assessment of knee pain to work out the likely cause — from overuse and anterior knee pain to ligament, cartilage or arthritis problems — and to plan the right treatment.Knee replacement (Total knee replacement (total knee arthroplasty))An operation that replaces a worn or damaged knee joint with an artificial one to ease pain and help you move more easily.
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Labiaplasty (Labiaplasty (labia minora reduction))Surgery to reduce or reshape the labia minora, the inner folds of skin around the opening of the vagina.Laminectomy (Laminectomy (decompressive laminectomy))An operation to remove part of the bony arch of a spine bone, making more room for squashed nerves — most often to ease leg pain, numbness or trouble walking from a narrowed spinal canal.Laparoscopic (keyhole) liver surgery (Laparoscopic liver resection)Keyhole surgery to remove part of the liver through small cuts, used for some benign growths, liver cancers or cancer that has spread to the liver.LASEK / PRK laser eye surgery (Surface laser ablation (photorefractive keratectomy / laser epithelial keratomileusis))An elective 'surface' laser operation that reshapes the front of the eye without making a flap, to reduce or remove the need for glasses or contact lenses.Laser eye surgery (LASIK) (Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK))An elective laser operation that reshapes the front of the eye (cornea) to reduce or remove the need for glasses or contact lenses.Laser prostate surgery (HoLEP / GreenLight) (Laser surgery for benign prostate enlargement (holmium laser enucleation or photoselective vaporisation of the prostate))Keyhole laser surgery to relieve the urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate by removing or vaporising the tissue that is blocking the flow of urine.Laser skin resurfacing (Laser resurfacing (ablative and non-ablative))A treatment that uses laser light to remove or heat layers of skin, aiming to improve texture, fine lines, scars and sun damage.Laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy (Retinal laser photocoagulation (panretinal and focal/macular laser) for diabetic retinopathy)Laser treatment to the back of the eye that aims to protect the sight of people with diabetic eye disease by sealing or shrinking abnormal blood vessels.Laser treatment for skin lesions (Laser therapy for cutaneous lesions)Using focused light to fade or remove certain skin marks, such as red thread veins, birthmarks and brown patches, usually over more than one session.Lasting power of attorney capacity assessment (mental capacity assessment for a lasting power of attorney)An assessment to check whether a person can understand and make the decision to set up a lasting power of attorney.Latent TB test (Latent tuberculosis infection testing (IGRA blood test or Mantoux skin test))A blood test or skin test that checks whether you carry tuberculosis bacteria quietly, without being unwell or infectious, so it can be treated before it ever causes illness.Lateral sphincterotomy (Lateral internal sphincterotomy)A short operation to heal a long-standing anal fissure by making a small, deliberate cut in part of the tight inner muscle of the anus to release its spasm and improve the tear's blood supply.Latex allergy assessment (Natural rubber latex allergy assessment)A specialist assessment, using your history and allergy tests, to find out whether you are allergic to natural rubber latex and how to manage it.Learning difficulties assessment (Assessment for specific learning difficulties (such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia))A careful assessment to understand how a child learns, where they are finding things hard, and what support would help, sometimes leading to a name like dyslexia, dyscalculia or dyspraxia.Left atrial appendage closure (Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO))A catheter-based procedure that seals off a small pouch on the heart (the left atrial appendage) to lower the risk of stroke in atrial fibrillation, mainly for people who cannot safely take blood-thinning medicines long term.Left hemicolectomy (Left hemicolectomy (removal of the left side of the colon))An operation to remove the left side of the large bowel — usually for a cancer, diverticular disease or a large polyp — and join the remaining bowel back together, sometimes with a temporary stoma.Leg ulcer treatment (Management of chronic leg ulceration)An overview of how long-standing leg ulcers are treated — most commonly with compression and wound care — and why finding the cause first is essential.Leukaemia diagnosis and management (Diagnosis and management of leukaemia)Diagnosing leukaemia, a cancer of the blood cells, working out its exact type, and planning treatment or monitoring with a specialist blood-cancer team.Lewy body dementia assessment (Dementia with Lewy bodies assessment)An assessment to find out whether symptoms such as fluctuating alertness, visual hallucinations and movement problems are caused by dementia with Lewy bodies, a type with an important medication safety warning.LINX reflux management (Magnetic sphincter augmentation (laparoscopic insertion of a magnetic ring) for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD))A keyhole procedure that places a small ring of magnetic beads around the lower gullet to support the weak valve and reduce acid reflux (GORD), as an alternative to a fundoplication wrap.Lip augmentation (lip fillers) (Lip augmentation with dermal filler)A non-surgical treatment that injects dermal filler into the lips to add volume or change their shape.Lipoma removal (surgical excision of a lipoma)A usually minor operation to remove a lipoma — a soft, harmless lump of fatty tissue under the skin — most often through a small cut under local anaesthetic, with the lump sent to the lab to confirm what it is.LiposuctionSurgery to remove pockets of stubborn fat from specific areas of the body to reshape them — not a treatment for being overweight.Liquid-based cytology (smear analysis) (Liquid-based cytology (LBC))This guide explains liquid-based cytology — the modern way a cervical screening sample is processed and examined in the laboratory — and what your result means.Liver biopsy (Liver biopsy (percutaneous, transjugular or targeted))A test that takes a tiny sample of liver tissue with a needle so it can be examined under a microscope to diagnose liver problems or guide treatment.Liver blood tests (Liver function tests (LFTs) / liver blood tests)A blood test that measures enzymes and proteins to give a snapshot of how the liver is working and whether it may be inflamed or damaged.Liver cancer surgery (Surgery for liver cancer (resection or transplant))Surgery to treat cancer in the liver, usually by removing the affected part (resection) and, for some people, by liver transplant, as part of a wider cancer plan.Liver cancer surveillance (Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance)A regular check, usually a liver ultrasound (sometimes with a blood test) every six months, to try to catch liver cancer early in people whose liver disease puts them at higher risk.Liver cyst surgery (Surgery for liver cysts (cyst deroofing/fenestration))Surgery to treat a fluid-filled sac (cyst) in the liver that is causing symptoms, usually by removing the top of the cyst so it can drain, rather than cutting out liver tissue.Liver resection (Hepatectomy (partial liver resection))An operation to remove part of the liver, most often to take out a tumour while leaving enough healthy liver to work and regrow.Liver screen (non-invasive liver assessment) (Non-invasive liver screen / liver aetiology screen)A set of blood tests, usually with an ultrasound, used to look for the common and important causes of abnormal liver blood tests.Liver specialist (hepatology) appointment (Hepatology consultation)An appointment with a liver specialist to look into liver blood test results, symptoms or a known liver condition, and to agree a plan.Liver transplant assessment (Liver transplantation assessment (work-up))A series of tests and specialist reviews, usually over a few days, to decide whether a liver transplant is a safe and sensible option for you and whether you should go on the waiting list.Liver tumour removal (Removal of a liver tumour (resection, with ablation as an alternative))Treatment to remove or destroy a growth in the liver, which may be non-cancerous or cancerous, usually by surgery to cut it out or, in some cases, by heat treatment.Liver ultrasound scan (Abdominal (liver) ultrasound)A usually not painful scan that uses sound waves to look at the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts, often to investigate abnormal liver blood tests.Local anaesthetic injection (Local anaesthetic infiltration)An injection of numbing medicine into a small area so you stay awake but feel no pain during a minor procedure, or for pain relief afterwards.Local flap reconstruction (Local (skin) flap reconstruction)A way of closing a wound by moving nearby skin, which keeps its own blood supply, to fill the gap — often used on the face after skin cancer removal.Long COVID assessment (post-COVID-19 syndrome assessment)A clinician-led assessment of symptoms that continue for weeks or months after COVID-19, to rule out other causes and plan supportive, paced care.Low mood and self-esteem support (Support for low mood and low self-esteem in children and young people)Practical, gentle support for children and teenagers who are feeling down or low in confidence, to build wellbeing and self-worth and to spot when more help is needed.Lower jaw (mandibular) surgery (Mandibular osteotomy (bilateral sagittal split osteotomy, BSSO))Planned surgery to cut and reposition the lower jaw, moving it forward or back to correct the bite and facial balance, almost always combined with a long course of braces.Lower limb bypass surgery (Lower limb (infra-inguinal) arterial bypass)An operation that reroutes blood around a blocked leg artery using a graft, to improve circulation and ease pain or help wounds heal.Lumbar puncture (Lumbar puncture (spinal tap))A test in which a thin needle is used to take a small sample of the fluid around the spinal cord, usually to help diagnose conditions affecting the brain, nerves or their coverings.Lump removal (wide local excision / lumpectomy) (Wide local excision (breast-conserving surgery), also called lumpectomy)An operation to remove a breast cancer or abnormal area along with a margin of healthy tissue, keeping as much of the breast as possible.Lung cancer diagnosis and staging (Diagnosis and staging of lung cancer)The set of tests used to find out whether a lung problem is cancer and, if it is, how far it has spread, so the right treatment can be planned.Lung cancer surgery (Surgical resection for lung cancer (lobectomy and related operations))An operation to remove the part of the lung containing a cancer, along with nearby lymph nodes, usually aiming to remove early-stage lung cancer completely.Lung cancer treatment (Multidisciplinary treatment of lung cancer)The overall plan to treat lung cancer, which may combine surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted drugs depending on the type and stage.Lung removal surgery (lobectomy) (Lung resection (lobectomy))An operation to remove a lobe of the lung (or sometimes a smaller or larger part), most often to remove a lung cancer or other diseased tissue.Lupus (SLE) treatment (Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) management)Long-term treatment to calm the overactive immune system in lupus, ease symptoms, prevent flares and protect organs such as the kidneys.Lyme disease assessment (Lyme borreliosis assessment and testing)An assessment, sometimes with blood tests, to find out whether your symptoms after a possible tick bite are caused by Lyme disease, and to guide safe antibiotic treatment.Lymph node biopsyA test that takes a sample, or the whole, of an enlarged lymph node (gland) so the laboratory can find out why it is swollen — for example infection, inflammation, lymphoma or spread of another cancer.Lymph node biopsy reporting (Lymph node histopathology reporting)This guide explains what happens to a lymph node (gland) sample after it is removed, how a pathologist examines it, and what the report can tell you — often as part of a careful work-up for lymphoma or other conditions.Lymphoedema assessment and management (Assessment and management of lymphoedema)How a lymphoedema service assesses and manages the long-term swelling caused by a build-up of lymph fluid, often after cancer treatment, using skin care, compression, exercise and specialised massage.Lymphoedema surgery (Surgery for lymphoedema (lymphaticovenous anastomosis, vascularised lymph node transfer, and debulking/liposuction))Specialist surgery that can help manage long-term limb swelling caused by a faulty lymph drainage system, used alongside — not instead of — compression and decongestive therapy.Lymphoma diagnosis and management (Diagnosis and management of lymphoma)Diagnosing lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system, identifying the exact type and stage, and planning treatment or monitoring with a specialist blood-cancer team.
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Macular hole surgery (Vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peel and gas tamponade for full-thickness macular hole)Keyhole surgery to close a small gap in the centre of the retina (the macula) and improve distorted, blurred central vision.Malaria diagnosis and treatment (Diagnosis and treatment of malaria)How malaria is confirmed with blood tests and treated with anti-malaria medicines — an urgent matter, because the most dangerous type can be fatal within days.Male chest reduction (gynaecomastia surgery)Surgery to reduce enlarged male breast tissue and fat for a flatter, firmer chest, sometimes called male breast reduction.Mammogram (Mammography (breast X-ray))A low-dose breast X-ray used to screen for breast cancer before it can be felt, or to investigate a breast symptom or change.Management of bronchiectasis (Management of bronchiectasis (non-cystic fibrosis))Ongoing care to clear mucus, reduce chest infections and protect the lungs in bronchiectasis, using airway clearance, exercise, vaccinations and antibiotics for flare-ups.Management of malignant bowel obstruction (palliative care) (Management of malignant bowel obstruction)How a palliative care team manages a bowel that has become blocked because of cancer, weighing up medical treatment, a stent or surgery, with comfort and symptom control as the central aim.Management referral assessment (Occupational health management referral assessment)An impartial occupational health appointment, arranged by your employer with your consent, to advise both you and the employer on your health in relation to work.Managing a flare-up of a long-term illness (Management of an acute exacerbation of chronic illness)The medical treatment given when a long-term condition such as COPD, heart failure or diabetes suddenly gets worse, to settle the flare-up and prevent it happening again.Managing chemotherapy side effects (Chemotherapy side-effect management)How the unwanted effects of chemotherapy are prevented, monitored and treated, so you stay as safe and comfortable as possible during treatment.Managing several long-term conditions together (Multimorbidity management (comprehensive geriatric assessment and care planning))A joined-up, person-led way of looking after someone who lives with several long-term health problems at once, so that care, medicines and appointments work together around what matters most to them.Mask breathing support (CPAP / BiPAP) (Non-invasive ventilation (CPAP / BiPAP))What it means to be given breathing support through a tight-fitting mask (CPAP or BiPAP) in hospital, why it is used, and how it differs from a breathing machine with a tube.Mastectomy (Mastectomy (surgical removal of the breast))An operation to remove the whole breast, used to treat breast cancer or, in some people at high risk, to reduce the chance of breast cancer developing.Mastocytosis / mast cell disorder assessment (Assessment for mastocytosis and mast cell activation disorders)A specialist assessment to find out whether symptoms such as flushing, itching, severe allergic reactions or unexplained collapse are caused by a mast cell disorder, including mastocytosis.Mastoid surgery (Mastoidectomy)An operation, usually for cholesteatoma or long-standing ear infection, to clear disease from the air spaces of the bone behind the ear and make the ear safe.Medial branch block (Medial branch block (diagnostic facet nerve block))A mainly diagnostic injection of local anaesthetic onto the small nerves (medial branches) that supply the facet joints of the spine, used to find out whether those joints are causing your pain and whether radiofrequency denervation might help.Medically supervised alcohol detox (Medically assisted alcohol withdrawal (detoxification))A planned, medically supported withdrawal from alcohol for people who are physically dependent, using medicine to manage symptoms and prevent dangerous complications such as seizures.Medicals and fit-to-work certificates (Private GP medical examinations and fitness-to-work certification)An appointment with a private GP to assess your health for a specific purpose and, where it is honest to do so, sign a medical or fitness certificate.Medication review (polypharmacy) (Structured medication review)A careful, shared review of all an older person's medicines together, to keep the ones that help, safely reduce any that no longer do, and make taking them simpler and safer.Medication review and prescribing (Psychiatric medication review, prescribing and deprescribing)A specialist appointment to review your mental-health medicines — whether they are helping, whether to adjust, continue, switch or carefully stop them — through a shared decision with you.Medication review for older people (Structured medication review in older adults)A careful review of all the medicines an older person takes, to keep the ones that help and safely reduce those that may now do more harm than good.Medication review for young people (Specialist review of psychiatric medication in children and adolescents)A specialist appointment to check whether a young person's mental health medication is still helping, is at the right dose, is safe, and is being monitored properly, and to plan any changes carefully.Medico-legal and occupational health reports (Independent medical reports for legal proceedings and occupational health)An independent, written medical opinion prepared for a court, solicitor, insurer or employer — for example after an injury or as part of an occupational health assessment — based on an examination and your records, with your consent.Melanoma and skin cancer treatment (Treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma))The treatments used for skin cancers — usually surgery for early disease, and for melanoma that has spread, drugs such as immunotherapy or targeted therapy — planned by a specialist team according to the type and stage.Melanoma diagnosis and treatment (Cutaneous malignant melanoma: diagnosis and surgical treatment)The pathway for diagnosing melanoma, a serious skin cancer, and removing it surgically — starting with an urgent referral when a mole looks suspicious.Melanoma surgery (wide local excision) (Wide local excision of melanoma)Surgery to remove a melanoma along with a margin of healthy skin around it, to reduce the chance of it coming back where it started.Memory and cognitive assessment (Cognitive assessment for memory and thinking problems)An assessment of memory and thinking to understand why someone is having difficulties, what might be causing them, and whether anything treatable is involved.Memory and thinking tests (ACE / MoCA) (Cognitive testing (Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination / Montreal Cognitive Assessment))Pen-and-paper thinking tests, such as the ACE-III or MoCA, that measure memory, attention and language to help build a picture of how the brain is working.Memory assessment (memory clinic) (Memory assessment / memory clinic review)A set of appointments and tests that look into memory and thinking problems, to find out what is causing them and what help might be needed.Menopause and HRT advice (Menopause assessment and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) consultation)A consultation to assess menopause symptoms and discuss treatments, including hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and non-hormonal options, so you can make an informed choice.Menopause and HRT clinic (Menopause assessment and hormone replacement therapy clinic)A specialist appointment to assess menopause symptoms and discuss whether hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or other treatments could help, weighing the benefits and risks for you.Mental health and stress support (Assessment and management of common mental health problems and stress)Non-judgemental GP support for stress, anxiety, low mood and similar problems, offering talking therapy, lifestyle support and, where appropriate, medication — with clear advice on getting urgent help in a crisis.Mental health at work assessment (Occupational health assessment of mental health and fitness for work)A supportive, impartial occupational health assessment of how your mental health affects your work and what support or adjustments could help.Microdiscectomy (Lumbar microdiscectomy)A keyhole-style operation that uses a microscope to remove the part of a slipped disc in the lower back pressing on a nerve, mainly to relieve leg pain (sciatica).Microlaryngoscopy (voice box examination and surgery) (Microlaryngoscopy (microlaryngeal surgery / vocal fold surgery))A short operation, under general anaesthetic, to look closely at the voice box and treat problems on the vocal cords such as nodules, polyps, cysts or areas that need a biopsy.Microsclerotherapy for thread veins (Microsclerotherapy)A cosmetic injection treatment for tiny surface thread or spider veins, where a weak solution is injected through a fine needle to make the veins fade.Microsuction ear wax removalA water-free way to remove ear wax using a microscope and gentle suction, often used when other methods are unsuitable.Migraine and headache management (Diagnosis and management of migraine and other headache disorders)An overview of how migraine and other common headaches are diagnosed and managed, including treatments for attacks, preventive options and how to choose care wisely.Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) (Micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (e.g. trabecular micro-bypass stent))A group of small, keyhole procedures to lower eye pressure in milder glaucoma, often done at the same time as cataract surgery.Minor injuries treatment (Treatment of minor injuries (minor injuries unit / urgent care))Same-day treatment for minor injuries such as small cuts, grazes, sprains, minor burns, bruises and minor head knocks, with advice on care at home and what to watch for.Minor surgery (cyst, lipoma or mole removal) (Minor surgical removal of skin and soft-tissue lesions under local anaesthetic)A small operation under local anaesthetic to remove a skin or soft-tissue lump such as a cyst, lipoma or mole, which usually leaves a scar and is sent to the laboratory.Miscarriage care (Miscarriage management)Gentle, supportive care and the choices available when an early pregnancy has ended or is ending, including letting nature take its course, medicine, or a small operation.MitraClip (clip repair of a leaky mitral valve) (Transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TEER))A catheter-based procedure that fits one or more small clips onto a leaky mitral valve to help it close better, without open-heart surgery — mainly for people who are higher risk for surgery.Mitral valve repair (Mitral valve repair surgery)Heart surgery that fixes a leaky or faulty mitral valve using your own valve tissue, rather than replacing it, so the valve seals properly again.Mitral valve replacement (Mitral valve replacement surgery)Open-heart surgery to replace a faulty mitral valve with a mechanical or tissue valve, used when the valve is too damaged to repair.Mixed dementia assessmentAn assessment to find out whether memory and thinking problems are caused by more than one type of dementia at the same time, most often Alzheimer's disease together with vascular dementia.Mobility and balance assessment (Mobility and balance assessment (gait and balance assessment))An assessment of how an older person walks, balances and moves about, to find why they are unsteady and what would help them stay mobile and safe.Mole and skin lesion checks (Skin lesion examination and mole check (including dermoscopy))An examination of a mole or skin spot — or a wider skin check — to assess whether it looks normal or needs further tests or referral for possible skin cancer.Mole or skin lesion removal (Excision or biopsy of a skin mole or lesion)A small procedure to remove or sample a mole or skin lesion, usually under local anaesthetic, so it can be looked at under a microscope or removed for comfort or appearance.Molecular and genetic tumour testing (Molecular and genetic profiling of tumour tissue (somatic genomic testing))Laboratory tests on a sample of your cancer that look for specific gene changes or proteins, to help your team see whether a targeted treatment might suit your cancer.Motivational interviewing (Motivational interviewing (MI))A gentle, non-judgemental talking approach that helps you explore your own reasons for changing a habit like drinking, drug use or smoking — at your own pace.Motor neurone disease (MND) assessment (Motor neurone disease assessment)A specialist neurology assessment to investigate symptoms that might be motor neurone disease, using examination and tests to reach a diagnosis and rule out other causes.Mouth (oral) cancer surgery (Surgical removal of oral cavity cancer (with neck dissection and reconstruction where needed))Surgery to remove a cancer in the mouth, along with a margin of healthy tissue and sometimes lymph nodes in the neck, often with reconstruction to rebuild the area and support speech and swallowing.Mouth lesion removal or biopsy (Oral (intra-oral) biopsy and minor lesion excision)A small procedure to take or remove a sample of tissue from inside the mouth so it can be looked at under a microscope and the cause of a lump, patch or ulcer can be found.MRI brain scan (Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain)A scan that uses a strong magnet and radio waves — not X-rays — to take detailed pictures of the brain, to help look for or rule out a structural cause for symptoms.MRI liver scan (including MRCP) (Magnetic resonance imaging of the liver / MRCP)A detailed scan using a magnetic field and radio waves to look at the liver, and with MRCP the bile ducts and pancreas, without radiation.MRI scan (Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI))A scan that uses a strong magnet and radio waves (no X-rays) to make detailed pictures of the soft tissues, organs, joints and brain to help diagnose a problem.MRI spine scan (Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine)A scan that uses a strong magnet and radio waves to make detailed pictures of the bones, discs, nerves and spinal cord in your back or neck.Multi-organ support in intensive care (Multi-organ support (critical care organ support))A plain-English guide for families explaining how intensive care machines and medicines temporarily take over for the lungs, heart, kidneys and other organs while a very ill person is given time to recover.Multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis and management (Multiple sclerosis (assessment and long-term management))How a specialist diagnoses MS and the treatments and support used to manage relapses, symptoms and long-term progression.Multiple sclerosis rehabilitation (Rehabilitation for multiple sclerosis (MS neurorehabilitation))A team-based programme of therapy to help people with multiple sclerosis manage symptoms such as mobility problems, fatigue, spasticity and balance, and keep doing the things that matter to them.Musculoskeletal assessment (Musculoskeletal (MSK) assessment)A structured examination of your muscles, joints, tendons and movement to work out what is causing a problem and guide the next steps, often without needing a scan.Musculoskeletal rehabilitationA programme of assessment, exercise and self-management to help you recover from or live better with problems affecting muscles, joints, bones, tendons or the spine, and to get moving and functioning again.Myasthenia gravis management (Myasthenia gravis treatment and management)The ongoing treatment and monitoring of myasthenia gravis, a condition that causes muscle weakness, aiming to control symptoms and prevent serious flare-ups.Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen) testing (Mycoplasma genitalium (Mgen) testing, including resistance testing)A test for the sexually transmitted bacterium Mycoplasma genitalium, used only when there are symptoms or a clear reason, not as routine screening.Myelodysplastic syndrome management (Management of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS))Looking after people with a myelodysplastic syndrome, a group of bone marrow disorders that lower the blood counts, using monitoring, supportive care and, for some, more intensive treatment.Myeloma diagnosis and management (Diagnosis and management of myeloma (multiple myeloma))Diagnosing myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow, and planning treatment and supportive care with a specialist blood-cancer team.Myeloproliferative disorder management (Management of myeloproliferative neoplasms (e.g. polycythaemia vera))Ongoing care for conditions where the bone marrow makes too many blood cells, aiming mainly to lower the risk of blood clots and ease symptoms.Myocardial perfusion scan (nuclear cardiology) (Myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT nuclear cardiology))A nuclear medicine scan that uses a small amount of radioactive tracer to show how well blood reaches the heart muscle, at rest and when the heart is made to work harder.Ménière's disease management (Management of Ménière's disease)Ongoing care to reduce how often Ménière's attacks happen, ease symptoms during attacks, and support hearing and balance over time.
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Nail disorder assessment (Clinical assessment of nail disease)An appointment with a dermatologist to find out what is causing a nail problem, using your history, an examination of the nails and skin, and sometimes tests such as a nail clipping or biopsy, so the right treatment can be discussed.Nasal polyp removal (Nasal polypectomy)An operation to remove soft swellings (polyps) that block the nose, usually when steroid sprays or drops have not controlled the symptoms.Nausea and vomiting management (Management of nausea and vomiting in palliative care)Finding the cause of feeling or being sick in a serious illness and treating it with the right anti-sickness medicine and practical measures, so you feel more comfortable and can eat and drink more easily.Neck fusion for a slipped disc (ACDF) (Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF))An operation through the front of the neck to remove a worn or slipped disc pressing on a nerve or the spinal cord, then join the two bones together (fusion) to stabilise the spine.Neck lump removal (Excision of neck lump)An operation to remove a lump or swelling in the neck — such as a cyst, enlarged gland or other mass — usually after tests have shown what it is or that it should be taken out.Nephrostomy (kidney drainage) (Percutaneous nephrostomy)A keyhole, image-guided procedure that places a thin tube through the skin of the back into a blocked kidney to drain urine, often done urgently to protect the kidney and treat infection.Nerve (neuropathic) pain management (palliative care) (Management of neuropathic pain in palliative care)How a palliative care team manages nerve (neuropathic) pain, a burning, shooting or tingling pain caused by damaged or irritated nerves, using a layered approach of different medicines and other treatments.Nerve block for spasticity (Chemical neurolysis (phenol or alcohol nerve/motor point block) for spasticity)An injection of phenol or alcohol onto a nerve or muscle motor point to calm overactive, stiff muscles, used for selected spasticity alongside therapy when other measures are not enough.Nerve block for surgery (Peripheral nerve block for surgery)An injection of local anaesthetic around the nerves supplying part of the body — such as an arm or leg — to numb it for an operation and to give pain relief afterwards.Nerve conduction studies (Nerve conduction studies (NCS))A test that measures how well and how fast electrical signals travel along your nerves, using small electrical pulses and surface sensors on the skin.Nerve or muscle biopsy (Nerve and/or muscle biopsy)A small procedure to take a tiny sample of muscle or nerve for examination, used to help diagnose conditions affecting the muscles or nerves.Nerve repair (Surgical repair or reconstruction of a peripheral nerve (neurorrhaphy))An operation to reconnect or reconstruct a nerve that has been cut or damaged, aiming to recover feeling and movement in the area the nerve supplies.Neurology consultation (Neurology outpatient consultation)An appointment with a neurologist to work out whether your symptoms come from the brain, spinal cord or nerves, and to plan what should happen next.Neurorehabilitation assessment (Specialist neurological rehabilitation assessment)A detailed assessment of how a brain, spinal cord or nerve problem affects everyday function, used to plan goal-based neurological rehabilitation and the right support.Newborn baby check (Newborn and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE))A top-to-toe physical examination of your baby in the first few days of life, with special checks of the eyes, heart, hips and (in boys) testes, to spot certain conditions early.Night worker health assessment (Night worker health assessment (Working Time Regulations 1998))A free health assessment your employer must offer if you work nights, to check that night work is not harming your health.Nipple reconstruction (nipple-areola reconstruction (surgery and/or medical tattooing))A way to recreate the look of a nipple and areola after mastectomy and breast reconstruction, using a small skin flap, a tattoo, or both.Nipple-sparing mastectomy (nipple-sparing mastectomy (with breast reconstruction))An operation that removes the breast tissue but keeps the breast skin and the nipple, almost always with reconstruction at the same time, used for selected breast cancers or to reduce risk.Nose job (rhinoplasty)Surgery to change the shape, size or proportions of the nose, or to correct breathing problems caused by its structure.Nosebleed cautery (Nasal cautery for epistaxis)A quick procedure to seal a small bleeding blood vessel inside the nose, usually with a silver nitrate stick, to reduce repeated nosebleeds.Nuclear medicine scan (Nuclear medicine imaging (radionuclide scan / scintigraphy))A scan that uses a small amount of a radioactive 'tracer', usually injected into a vein, to show how an organ or part of the body is working rather than just its shape.Nutrition and weight loss assessment (Assessment of unintentional weight loss and malnutrition risk)An assessment for someone losing weight without trying, or eating poorly, to find the cause — including ruling out serious illness such as cancer — and to support better nutrition.Nutritional support in critical illness (Clinical nutrition support in critical care (enteral and parenteral nutrition))Ways of giving a very unwell person the energy, protein and nutrients they need — usually through a feeding tube or a drip — when they cannot eat normally.
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Obesity and weight management (Medical management of overweight and obesity)A medical approach to managing overweight and obesity, combining diet, activity, and behaviour change with medicines such as GLP-1 injections where appropriate, aimed at health rather than appearance.Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (Obsessive-compulsive disorder)Help for unwanted, distressing thoughts (obsessions) and the urges to do repeated rituals (compulsions) to ease them, mainly using a specific kind of CBT and, where needed, medication.Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in young people (Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children and young people)Help for children and teenagers troubled by unwanted thoughts and repeated behaviours, using a specific kind of talking therapy first and, for some, carefully supervised medication.Occipital nerve block (Greater and lesser occipital nerve block)An injection of local anaesthetic, sometimes with a steroid, near the nerves at the back of the head to help certain headaches such as occipital neuralgia, migraine and cluster headache.Oesophageal cancer surgery (Surgery for oesophageal cancer)An overview of the operations used to treat oesophageal (gullet) cancer, from removing very early cancers through to removing all or part of the oesophagus, as part of a wider specialist treatment plan.Oesophageal dilatation (Endoscopic oesophageal dilatation (balloon or bougie dilatation of the oesophagus))A procedure done during a gastroscopy to gently stretch a narrowed part of the gullet (oesophagus) so that food and drink can pass more easily.Oesophageal manometry (Oesophageal manometry (high-resolution oesophageal manometry))A test that measures how well the muscles of the gullet squeeze and how the valve into the stomach works, used to investigate swallowing problems and to plan treatment such as anti-reflux surgery.Oesophageal stent insertion (Oesophageal stent insertion (self-expanding metal stent))A procedure, usually done at endoscopy with sedation, to place a tube (stent) that holds open a narrowed oesophagus so swallowing is easier, most often to relieve symptoms in advanced cancer.Oesophageal varices banding (Endoscopic variceal band ligation)A camera test (gastroscopy) that places small rubber bands on swollen veins (varices) in the gullet to stop them bleeding or to reduce the risk of bleeding.Oesophagus removal (oesophagectomy) (Oesophagectomy)A major operation to remove all or part of the oesophagus (gullet), most often to treat oesophageal cancer, after which the surgeon rebuilds the food pipe, usually from the stomach.Offshore medical (oil, gas and energy) (Offshore fitness-to-work medical (OEUK / Energy UK standards))A medical check that decides whether you are fit to work offshore on an oil, gas or energy installation, where medical help and escape may be difficult.Open repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (Open surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm)A major operation to repair a swollen, weakened section of the main artery in the tummy by sewing in a synthetic graft, to reduce the risk of it bursting.Opioid (strong painkiller) management (Opioid management in palliative care)The careful use of strong painkillers such as morphine to ease pain or breathlessness, set up and adjusted so they work safely with as few side effects as possible.Opioid / heroin dependence treatment (Treatment of opioid dependence (opioid substitution and recovery))Treatment to help you stop or stabilise heroin or other opioid use safely, usually with a substitute medicine such as methadone or buprenorphine, alongside therapy, support and overdose-prevention.Oral food challenge (Supervised oral food challenge (food provocation test))The most reliable way to confirm or rule out a food allergy, by giving gradually increasing amounts of the food under close medical supervision in a unit equipped to treat a reaction.Oral immunotherapy (desensitisation) for food allergy (Oral immunotherapy (OIT) for food allergy)A specialist treatment that gives gradually increasing amounts of a food allergen to reduce the severity of reactions to accidental exposure; it desensitises rather than cures.Orthotics and splint assessment (Orthotics and splinting assessment)An assessment by an orthotist or therapist to work out whether a brace, splint, insole or other supportive device would help you, and to design and fit one to your body and your goals.Osteoarthritis treatment (Osteoarthritis management)Long-term management of osteoarthritis, the common joint condition causing pain and stiffness, built around exercise, weight and selective pain relief rather than a cure.Osteoporosis and bone health assessment (Fragility fracture risk assessment and bone density (DEXA) testing)An assessment of how strong your bones are and your risk of breaking a bone, so that fracture-prevention treatment can be offered to those most likely to benefit.Osteoporosis assessment and treatment (Assessment and management of osteoporosis and fragility fracture risk)Working out your risk of breaking a bone because of thinning bones, using a risk score and sometimes a bone density (DEXA) scan, then agreeing treatment to lower that risk.Otoacoustic emissions (OAE) test (otoacoustic emissions testing)A quick, usually not painful hearing test that measures the faint 'echo' produced by a healthy inner ear in response to sound, used to check how well the cochlea is working.Outpatient antibiotic drips (OPAT) (Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT))A way of giving antibiotics (or other anti-infection medicines) through a drip outside hospital - at home or in a clinic - so you can be treated for a serious infection without staying in.Ovarian and gynaecological cancer treatment (Treatment of gynaecological cancers (ovarian, fallopian tube, peritoneal, womb, cervical and vulval cancer))The combination of surgery, chemotherapy, targeted drugs and sometimes radiotherapy used to treat cancers of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, womb, cervix or vulva, planned by a specialist team based on the type and stage of the cancer.Ovarian cyst removal (Ovarian cystectomy (often laparoscopic))An operation, usually keyhole, to remove a cyst from the ovary — for symptoms, growth, or to check it is not cancer — while trying to keep the healthy ovary.Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) management (Management of hyperthyroidism)Treatment to bring an overactive thyroid under control and ease symptoms, using medicines, radioactive iodine, or surgery depending on the cause and your circumstances.Overnight pulse oximetry (Overnight pulse oximetry (nocturnal oximetry))A simple overnight test that records the oxygen level in your blood and your pulse while you sleep, used to screen for breathing problems such as sleep apnoea.Ovulation induction (Ovulation induction (medical stimulation of egg release))A medical treatment that uses tablets or hormone injections to help the ovaries release an egg in people who do not ovulate regularly.
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Pacemaker fitting (Permanent pacemaker implantation)A small implanted device that sends electrical signals to keep your heartbeat from going too slow, used mainly for heart block and slow heart rhythms.Pain and posture management (Pain and posture management (rehabilitation approach))A rehabilitation approach that uses movement, posture, pacing and self-management to reduce the impact of long-term pain and help you do more — not a quick fix or a single 'correct' posture.Pain medicine consultation (Consultation with a pain medicine specialist)A specialist appointment to understand your long-term pain as a whole person and agree a realistic plan — not, on its own, a procedure or a promise of a cure.Pain relief after surgery (Post-operative pain management (multimodal analgesia))How pain is controlled after an operation, usually by combining several types of pain relief so you can recover comfortably while keeping strong opioids time-limited.Painkiller / opioid dependence treatment (Treatment for opioid dependence (prescribed and non-prescribed))Support and treatment to safely reduce or stop opioid painkillers or other opioids you have become dependent on — using a planned taper or substitute medicine, with help for pain and overdose safety.Palliative medicine consultation (Specialist palliative medicine consultation)An appointment with a palliative medicine specialist to help you live as well as possible with a serious illness, by improving symptoms, support and planning.Palliative radiotherapy for symptom control (Palliative (symptom-control) radiotherapy)Radiotherapy given to ease symptoms of cancer — such as pain, bleeding or pressure — rather than to cure it. It is often a short course, sometimes just one treatment, aimed at helping you feel better and protecting your quality of life.Pancreatic and upper GI cancer treatment (Treatment of pancreatic and upper gastrointestinal cancers (pancreas, stomach, oesophagus, bile duct, gallbladder and liver))The combination of chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy and supportive care used to treat cancers of the pancreas, stomach, oesophagus, bile ducts, gallbladder or liver, planned by a specialist team according to the type and stage of the cancer.Pancreatic cancer surgery (Surgery for pancreatic cancer)An overview of the operations used to try to remove pancreatic cancer, who they may suit, and what they can and cannot achieve.Pancreatic cyst surgery (Surgery for pancreatic cystic lesions)An operation to remove a cyst (fluid-filled growth) on the pancreas, usually done when the cyst is causing symptoms or carries a risk of turning into cancer.Panic disorder and panic attacks (Panic disorder)Help for sudden, intense waves of fear (panic attacks) and the worry about having more of them, using talking therapy, medication where needed, and self-help.Parasitic infection assessment (Investigation for intestinal and tissue parasites)Tests, usually on stool and blood, to find out whether symptoms such as tummy upset, an itchy bottom, or an unexplained raised blood count are caused by a parasite.Parathyroid and calcium disorder assessment (Assessment for hyperparathyroidism and disorders of calcium metabolism)A set of blood and urine tests, and sometimes scans, used to find out why your blood calcium is too high or too low and whether your parathyroid glands are involved.Parathyroid surgery (Parathyroidectomy)An operation to remove one or more overactive parathyroid glands in the neck, most often to treat primary hyperparathyroidism, which raises the level of calcium in the blood.Parenting support and advice (Evidence-based parenting support and parent training programmes)Practical, evidence-based help for parents and carers to understand and manage a child's behaviour and emotions, and to strengthen family relationships.Parkinson's disease diagnosis and management (Parkinson's disease (assessment and long-term management))How a specialist diagnoses Parkinson's disease and the medicines, therapies and support used to manage symptoms over time.Parkinson's disease management (Management of Parkinson's disease)The ongoing, specialist-led care of Parkinson's disease — medicines tuned to each person and given on time every time, alongside therapies and support — to control symptoms and protect quality of life.Parotid gland surgery (parotidectomy (removal of part or all of the parotid gland))Surgery to remove part or all of the parotid salivary gland in front of and below the ear, usually to remove a lump.Partial stomach removal (partial gastrectomy) (Partial gastrectomy)An operation to remove part of the stomach, most often to treat cancer in the lower stomach, leaving a smaller stomach that is reconnected to the digestive system.Partner notification support (Partner notification (contact tracing) for sexually transmitted infections)Confidential help to let recent sexual partners know they may need testing after an STI diagnosis, in a way that can be done anonymously and without judgement.Patch testing for allergic contact dermatitis (Epicutaneous patch testing for allergic (type IV) contact dermatitis)A skin test, done over about a week, to find out whether your eczema or rash is caused or worsened by an allergy to something that touches your skin.Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)A pump that lets you give yourself small, safely limited doses of strong pain relief after surgery by pressing a button — and only you should press it.Peak flow monitoring (Peak expiratory flow (PEF) monitoring)Using a small handheld device to measure how fast you can blow air out, usually tracked over days or weeks to help spot and monitor asthma.Pectus correction (sunken or protruding chest) (Pectus excavatum / carinatum correction)Treatment to correct a chest wall that is sunken in (pectus excavatum) or pushed out (pectus carinatum), ranging from non-surgical bracing to surgery in selected cases.PEG feeding tube insertion (Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG))Placing a feeding tube directly into the stomach through the skin, using a camera, so food, fluids and medicines can be given when eating or swallowing is unsafe or not enough.Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) treatment (Management of pelvic inflammatory disease)Treatment, usually with antibiotics, for infection of the upper female reproductive organs — started promptly to relieve symptoms and protect future fertility.Pelvic pain assessment (Assessment of chronic (long-term) pelvic pain)An explanation of how long-term pelvic pain in women is assessed, including history, examination and tests, to look for a cause and plan treatment.Pelvic ultrasound scan (Pelvic ultrasound scan (transvaginal and abdominal))A scan using sound waves to look at the womb, ovaries and pelvis, done over the tummy with a full bladder, internally with a slim probe, or both.Pelvic vein embolisation (Pelvic vein embolisation (ovarian and pelvic vein embolisation))A keyhole procedure that blocks off faulty pelvic veins using tiny coils and sometimes a foam, to ease the chronic pelvic pain and heaviness of pelvic congestion (pelvic venous disorder).Penicillin allergy testing (Penicillin (beta-lactam) allergy assessment and de-labelling)A specialist assessment to check whether a penicillin allergy label is correct, so that an unnecessary label can be safely removed and your antibiotic choices widened.Penile implant surgery (Insertion of a penile prosthesis (inflatable or malleable))An operation to place a device inside the penis that allows a man with long-standing erectile dysfunction to get an erection when other treatments have not worked.Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) (Percutaneous nephrolithotomy)Keyhole surgery to remove large or complex kidney stones through a small cut in the back, using a telescope passed directly into the kidney.Perianal abscess drainage (incision and drainage of a perianal (anorectal) abscess)A usually urgent procedure to drain a perianal abscess — a painful collection of pus near the back passage — by making a small cut to release the pus and relieve the infection.Pericardial window / drainage (Pericardial window and pericardial drainage (pericardiocentesis))Procedures to drain fluid from the sac around the heart (the pericardium) and, in a pericardial window, to create a lasting opening so fluid can drain away rather than build up again.Peripheral nerve block (Peripheral nerve block (for chronic pain))An injection of local anaesthetic, sometimes with a steroid, onto or near a specific nerve outside the spine, used to see whether that nerve is carrying your pain and to try to settle it for a while.Peripheral nerve surgery (Surgery of the peripheral nerves)A group of operations on the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord — to release a trapped nerve, repair or reconstruct a damaged one, or remove a nerve lump.Peripheral neuropathy assessment (Assessment of peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage))An assessment to find out whether numbness, tingling, pain or weakness is caused by damage to the peripheral nerves, how severe it is, and what is causing it.Peritoneal dialysis (Peritoneal dialysis (PD))A home-based treatment for kidney failure that uses the lining of your own tummy, and a soft tube, to clean your blood without a dialysis machine filtering it directly.Personality disorder treatment (Assessment and treatment of personality disorder, including emotionally unstable (borderline) personality disorder)How personality disorder, including emotionally unstable (borderline) personality disorder, is understood and treated, mainly through specialist talking therapies, with a compassionate, recovery-focused approach.Pet (animal) allergy management (Animal (pet) allergy management)Ways to control symptoms caused by an allergy to animals such as cats and dogs, from reducing exposure and using medicines to, in selected cases, immunotherapy.PET-CT scan (Positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT))A specialised scan that combines a PET scan with a CT scan, using a small amount of a radioactive tracer to show how tissues are working — often used in cancer to find, stage or check the response of disease.Phlebectomy (vein removal) (Ambulatory phlebectomy)A procedure to remove bulging surface varicose veins through a series of tiny skin nicks, often done alongside treatment of the main faulty vein.Phobias treatment (Treatment of phobic anxiety disorders)Help for intense, out-of-proportion fear of a particular thing or situation, mainly using talking therapy that gradually helps you face the fear so it loses its grip.Photodynamic therapy (Topical photodynamic therapy (PDT))A light-based treatment that uses a special cream and a red light (or daylight) to destroy sun-damaged or early skin-cancer cells, mainly on the face and scalp.Phototherapy (UVB) treatment (Ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy, usually narrowband UVB)A course of controlled ultraviolet light, given in a hospital cabinet, to calm widespread skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and vitiligo when creams alone are not enough.Pilonidal sinus surgery (surgery for pilonidal sinus disease (excision, primary closure, or flap repair))An operation to treat a pilonidal sinus — a small tunnel containing hair and debris in the cleft at the top of the buttocks — by draining infection or removing the sinus, sometimes closing the wound to one side to reduce the chance it comes back.Pituitary gland disorder assessment (Assessment of pituitary gland function and structure)A combination of blood tests, sometimes stimulation or suppression tests, an MRI scan and an eye check, used to find out whether the pituitary gland is making too much or too little hormone, or is enlarged.Pituitary tumour surgery (Transsphenoidal (endoscopic) resection of a pituitary tumour)An operation, usually done through the nose, to remove a tumour of the pituitary gland at the base of the brain, often to relieve pressure on the eyes or correct a hormone problem.Plasma exchange (plasmapheresis) (Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE))A treatment that removes the liquid part of your blood (plasma), to take out harmful substances such as antibodies, and replaces it with a substitute fluid before returning the blood to you.Plaster cast and splinting (Application of a plaster cast or splint for a fracture or soft-tissue injury)Putting a hard cast or a supportive splint on an injured limb to hold a broken bone or bad sprain still so it can heal.Platelet disorder assessment (Assessment of platelet disorders)Finding out why a platelet count is too low or too high, and what it means, using blood tests and, where needed, a specialist haematology review.Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injectionAn injection of a concentrate made from a sample of your own blood into or around a painful tendon, sometimes offered for stubborn tendon problems — an adjunct with mixed evidence, not a proven cure.Pleural aspiration (chest drain) (Pleural aspiration (thoracocentesis))A procedure to remove fluid (or sometimes air) from the space between the lung and the chest wall, to ease breathlessness and to find out what is causing the build-up.Pleural aspiration / ascitic drain (Pleural aspiration (thoracocentesis) and abdominal paracentesis (ascitic drain))A procedure using a thin needle or small drain, with local anaesthetic and ultrasound, to remove fluid from around the lung or in the tummy to ease symptoms or find the cause.Pleural surgery and pleurodesis (Pleural surgery / pleurodesis)Procedures on the lining of the lung to stop fluid or air building up around it, including pleurodesis (sealing the space) and removing or sampling the lining.Polycystic kidney disease management (management of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD))Ongoing specialist care for an inherited condition in which cysts grow in the kidneys, aiming to protect kidney function and manage symptoms and family risk.Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) management (Management of polycystic ovary syndrome)Ongoing care for polycystic ovary syndrome, aimed at managing irregular periods, excess hair and acne, fertility and weight, and reducing longer-term health risks such as type 2 diabetes.Polymyalgia rheumatica treatment (Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) management)Treatment, usually with a gradually reducing course of steroid tablets, to relieve the shoulder and hip stiffness of polymyalgia rheumatica while watching for the linked condition giant cell arteritis.Polyp removal (polypectomy) (Polypectomy (removal of bowel polyps), usually at colonoscopy)Removal of small growths (polyps) from the lining of the bowel, usually during a colonoscopy, both to check them for abnormal or cancerous cells and to lower the future risk of bowel cancer.Portal hypertension management (Management of portal hypertension)The plan for managing raised pressure in the main vein into the liver, which can cause swollen veins (varices), fluid in the tummy (ascites) and other complications.Portal hypertension surgery (Surgical management of portal hypertension (portosystemic shunt surgery, devascularisation, splenectomy))An operation to lower dangerously high pressure in the veins around the liver, usually to stop or prevent serious bleeding from swollen veins (varices) when other treatments have not worked.Post-ICU rehabilitation and follow-up (Rehabilitation and follow-up after critical illness)Support to help someone rebuild their strength, thinking and confidence after a serious illness in intensive care, where recovery often takes months.Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Post-traumatic stress disorder)Help for the lasting effects of frightening or traumatic experiences — flashbacks, nightmares, feeling on edge and avoidance — mainly using trauma-focused talking therapies, with medication where needed.Post-traumatic stress in children (Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in children and young people)Assessment and treatment for a child or young person who is struggling after a frightening or traumatic event, using talking therapies designed for trauma, with safeguarding as a priority.Post-travel infection screening (Screening of the asymptomatic returning traveller)Tests for symptomless infections in people who have returned from the tropics, especially after freshwater exposure or long stays, to catch problems before they cause harm.Postnatal depression and perinatal mental health (Assessment and treatment of perinatal mental illness, including postnatal (postpartum) depression)How specialist teams assess and treat mental illness during pregnancy and in the first year after birth, including postnatal depression, anxiety and the psychiatric emergency of postpartum psychosis.Postural blood pressure assessment (Lying and standing blood pressure measurement (assessment for orthostatic hypotension))A simple test that measures blood pressure lying or sitting and then standing, to check whether it drops too much on standing — a common and often treatable cause of dizziness and falls in older people.Pre-conception advice (Pre-conception (preconception) care and counselling)An appointment to help you prepare your health before trying for a baby, covering supplements, lifestyle, vaccinations, medicines and any health conditions that need planning around.Pre-employment medical (Pre-employment / pre-placement health assessment (occupational health))An occupational health check, usually after a job offer, to confirm you can do a specific role safely and to identify any reasonable adjustments you may need.Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT-A / PGT-M) (Pre-implantation genetic testing of embryos)A laboratory test that takes a few cells from IVF embryos to check their genes or chromosomes before one is put back, used either to look for a known inherited condition (PGT-M) or to count chromosomes (PGT-A).Pre-operative assessment clinic (Pre-operative (pre-anaesthetic) assessment)An appointment before planned surgery to check your health, plan the safest anaesthetic and make sure you are as well prepared as possible for your operation.Pre-operative assessment for older patients (Comprehensive geriatric assessment and optimisation before surgery (perioperative medicine for older people))A thorough check before an operation, tailored to older people, that assesses health, frailty and risk, optimises long-term conditions and medicines, and supports an honest, shared decision about whether and how to proceed.Pre-participation sports medical screening (Pre-participation evaluation (sports medical screening))A medical check before taking up or continuing sport, mainly to look for hidden heart conditions and injury risks — with honest limits on what screening can and cannot find.Pre-placement health questionnaire review (Occupational health pre-placement questionnaire screening)A confidential occupational health review of a health questionnaire you complete after a job offer, to decide whether you are fit for the role or need any adjustments.Pre-travel health consultation (Pre-travel health risk assessment and advice)An appointment before travelling abroad to assess your personal health risks for the trip and plan vaccines, malaria prevention and practical advice to help you stay well.Pregnancy and obstetric ultrasound (Obstetric ultrasonography (pregnancy ultrasound scan))A scan that uses sound waves (no radiation) during pregnancy to check the baby's development, dates and wellbeing — but it cannot find everything or guarantee a healthy baby.Prescription medication dependence (Treatment for dependence on prescription and over-the-counter medicines)Support to safely reduce or stop prescribed or over-the-counter medicines you have become dependent on — such as sleeping tablets, tranquillisers, certain painkillers or nerve-pain medicines — using a slow, planned taper.Pressure sore reconstruction (Flap reconstruction of a pressure ulcer (decubitus ulcer))An operation to clean out and close a deep pressure ulcer (a wound caused by prolonged pressure on the skin) using nearby tissue, alongside treating the causes so it does not come back.Preventing sickness after surgery (Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) prevention)The anaesthetic team's plan to reduce the chance of feeling sick or being sick after surgery, using a layered combination of measures tailored to your personal risk.Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) care (Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) management)Long-term care for a condition where the immune system slowly damages the small bile ducts in the liver, using medicines to slow it down and to ease symptoms such as itching and fatigue.Primary immunodeficiency diagnosis (Diagnosis of primary immunodeficiency (inborn errors of immunity))A specialist work-up by a consultant immunologist to find out whether an inherited problem with the immune system is causing frequent, severe or unusual infections, and to identify which type.Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) care (Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) management)Long-term care for a condition that scars the bile ducts inside and outside the liver, where there is no proven medicine to stop it, so care focuses on monitoring, managing symptoms and complications, and considering transplant.Private GP consultation (Private general practitioner consultation (in person or online))A paid appointment with a GP, in person or online, usually for quicker access, more time or a second opinion — with some important limits on what it can do.Private health check / executive health screen (Comprehensive private health screening assessment)A paid package of tests and checks in people who feel well, aiming to assess health and risk — useful in places, but with real limits that are easy to overlook.Private maternity and consultant-led birth (Private maternity care and consultant-led birth)Paying for maternity care led by a named consultant obstetrician or private midwifery team, usually for continuity, choice and comfort rather than extra safety.Prolactinoma management (Management of prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma (prolactinoma))Ongoing care for a prolactinoma, a usually benign pituitary growth that raises the hormone prolactin, most often treated with tablets that lower prolactin and shrink the growth.Prolotherapy (Prolotherapy (proliferation therapy))A course of injections of an irritant solution (most often a sugar solution, hypertonic dextrose) into or around a painful tendon, ligament or joint, intended to provoke a healing response — an adjunct with limited and mixed evidence, not a proven cure.Prostate artery embolisation (PAE) (Prostate artery embolisation)A minimally invasive procedure in which an interventional radiologist blocks some of the small arteries supplying an enlarged prostate, through a tiny puncture in the groin or wrist, to ease urinary symptoms.Prostate biopsy (Prostate biopsy (transperineal or transrectal, usually MRI-guided))A test that takes small tissue samples from the prostate, usually after an MRI scan, to find out whether a suspicious area contains cancer and, if so, how aggressive it is.Prostate biopsy reporting (Histopathological reporting of prostate biopsy samples)This guide explains what happens to prostate biopsy samples in the laboratory and what the report, including the Gleason score and grade group, can and cannot tell you.Prostate cancer radiotherapy (Radical radiotherapy for prostate cancer (external beam radiotherapy and/or brachytherapy))A course of carefully planned radiation that aims to treat prostate cancer, given either as daily beams from outside the body or as radioactive sources placed inside the prostate.Prostate cancer treatment (Multidisciplinary treatment of prostate cancer)The overall plan for prostate cancer, which may be careful monitoring, surgery, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy or a combination, depending on the risk and stage.Prostate removal for cancer (Radical prostatectomy)An operation to remove the whole prostate gland to treat prostate cancer that is contained within, or close to, the prostate.Prostate surgery (TURP) (Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP))An operation that removes the inner part of an enlarged prostate through the penis to improve the flow of urine.Protein in urine (proteinuria) investigation (investigation of proteinuria)Tests to confirm and measure protein leaking into the urine and to find out why, because it can be an early sign of kidney disease.Proton beam therapy (Proton beam radiotherapy (pencil-beam scanning external-beam radiotherapy using protons))A specialised type of external radiotherapy that uses beams of protons instead of x-rays. For most cancers it is not proven to work better than modern x-ray radiotherapy, and on the NHS it is reserved for specific situations where sparing nearby healthy tissue clearly matters.Psoriasis management (Treatment and long-term management of psoriasis)Ongoing treatment to calm the red, scaly patches of psoriasis and keep flare-ups under control, using creams, light therapy or medicines depending on how severe it is.Psoriatic arthritis treatment and management (Management of psoriatic arthritis)The ongoing, specialist-led plan to control psoriatic arthritis, ease joint, skin and tendon symptoms and protect joints, using medicines, monitoring and support.Psychological and family support (Psychological, emotional and family support in palliative care)Emotional, psychological and practical support for people with a serious or life-limiting illness and for the people close to them, including bereavement support.Psychosexual difficulties (Assessment and treatment of psychosexual (sexual) difficulties)Assessment and treatment — usually a talking therapy, sometimes with medical input — for sexual difficulties such as low desire, pain, erectile problems or difficulties with arousal or orgasm.Psychosis and schizophrenia management (Assessment and treatment of psychosis and schizophrenia)How psychosis and schizophrenia are assessed and treated, combining antipsychotic medicine, talking therapies, family support and help with daily life, with early treatment improving the chances of recovery.Psychotherapy / talking therapy (Psychotherapy (talking therapy / counselling))Talking therapies in which a trained therapist helps you understand and work through difficult feelings, relationships or experiences, to feel better and cope more healthily.Pterygium removal (Pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft)An eye operation to remove a pterygium — a fleshy growth that spreads from the white of the eye onto the cornea — usually replacing the gap with a small graft of the eye's own surface tissue to reduce regrowth.Pulmonary rehabilitation (Pulmonary rehabilitation programme)A 6–8 week programme of supervised exercise and education for people with a long-term lung condition, to improve fitness, ease breathlessness and build confidence.Pulsed radiofrequency treatment (Pulsed radiofrequency treatment of nerves for chronic pain)A needle-based treatment that delivers short bursts of radio-wave energy near a nerve to try to calm long-term pain, without deliberately destroying the nerve.Pyloric stenosis surgery (pyloromyotomy) (pyloromyotomy (Ramstedt's operation))A small operation for babies with pyloric stenosis that splits the thickened muscle at the stomach outlet so milk can pass through again.
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Radioactive iodine treatment (Radioiodine (iodine-131) therapy for an overactive thyroid)A one-off dose of radioactive iodine, taken as a drink or capsule, that is taken up by the thyroid and gradually calms down an overactive thyroid gland.Radiofrequency ablation for varicose veins (Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of varicose veins)A keyhole treatment that uses heat from a thin tube inside a faulty leg vein to seal it shut, so blood is diverted to healthier veins.Radiofrequency denervation (Radiofrequency denervation (facet rhizolysis / medial branch neurotomy))A procedure that uses heat from a fine probe to interrupt the small nerves supplying the facet joints of the spine, aiming to reduce facet-joint pain for several months in people who first had a positive diagnostic nerve block.Radioisotope (molecular radiotherapy) treatment (Molecular radiotherapy (radionuclide / radioisotope therapy))A treatment that uses a radioactive medicine, given as a drink, capsule or injection, that travels through the body and is taken up by cancer cells so the radiation is delivered from the inside. It comes with radiation-safety precautions for a period afterwards.Radiotherapy planning CT scan (Radiotherapy planning CT (CT simulation / radiotherapy simulation))A special CT scan, taken in your treatment position, that maps exactly where the cancer and nearby organs are so your radiotherapy team can plan precisely where the radiation will go. It is a planning step, not the treatment itself.Raised or abnormal blood count investigation (Investigation of an abnormal full blood count)The set of tests used to find out why a blood count is abnormal, ranging from repeat blood tests to, sometimes, a bone marrow test.Rapid access / same-day assessment (Rapid-access same-day acute medical assessment)A quick, organised assessment on the same day for an urgent medical problem, so you can be examined, tested and given a plan without a long wait, and often without staying in hospital.Reasonable adjustments advice (Occupational health advice on workplace reasonable adjustments)Impartial occupational health advice on practical changes at work that could help someone with a health condition or disability do their job.Rectal prolapse repair (rectopexy) (Rectopexy / rectal prolapse repair)An operation to fix a rectal prolapse, where the rectum (back passage) slips down and turns inside out, either through the tummy (rectopexy) or through the back passage (perineal repair).Recurrent infection assessment (Assessment of recurrent, severe, persistent or unusual infections)A specialist assessment for infections that are too frequent, severe, long-lasting or unusual, to find out why and whether the immune system is involved.Recurrent infections, coughs and colds in children (Assessment of recurrent infections in childhood)An assessment to work out whether a child who seems to catch one cough or cold after another has a normal, busy immune system that is still learning — which is usually the case — or, rarely, a problem that needs investigating.Recurrent miscarriage investigation (Investigation of recurrent (repeated) miscarriage)A set of tests offered after repeated miscarriages to look for a treatable cause, while recognising that in most couples no clear cause is found.Recurrent or persistent urethritis assessment (Assessment of persistent and recurrent non-gonococcal urethritis)An assessment for inflammation of the urethra (the tube urine passes through) that has not settled with first treatment or keeps coming back, to find the cause and guide the right treatment.Recurrent urinary tract infection assessment (assessment of recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI))An assessment to find out why urinary infections keep coming back and to plan ways to reduce how often they happen.Referrals to specialists (Specialist referral from primary care)A GP appointment to arrange a referral to a specialist — explaining how NHS and private referrals work, what a referral letter is for, and how to keep your care joined up.Reflux (GORD) and heartburn management (Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and dyspepsia: management)Non-surgical care for acid reflux and heartburn, using lifestyle changes and medicines to control symptoms, protect the gullet and decide when tests or referral are needed.Reflux and feeding difficulties in babies (Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) and infant feeding difficulties)Help for babies who bring up milk or struggle with feeds — explaining that reflux is usually normal and improves on its own, what feeding changes can help, and the red-flag warning signs that need urgent review.Regional (nerve block) anaesthetic (Regional anaesthesia (peripheral nerve block))An injection of local anaesthetic near specific nerves, given by an anaesthetist, that numbs just the part of the body being operated on, such as an arm or a leg, often with strong pain relief afterwards.Rehabilitation medicine consultation (Consultation with a rehabilitation medicine (physical and rehabilitation medicine) specialist)An appointment with a doctor who specialises in restoring function and independence after illness or injury, to assess your situation and plan realistic, goal-based rehabilitation.Relapse prevention (Relapse prevention for addiction (substance and behavioural))A structured set of skills, plans and support that help you stay in recovery from drugs, alcohol or a behaviour like gambling after you have stopped or cut down.Removal of a chest (mediastinal) tumour (Removal of mediastinal tumour)An operation to remove a growth in the mediastinum — the central part of the chest between the lungs — which may be done to treat it, to obtain a diagnosis, or both.Removal of a salivary gland (submandibular or parotid) (Submandibular gland excision or parotidectomy)An operation to remove a salivary gland — the parotid in front of the ear or the submandibular gland under the jaw — usually because of a lump, a blockage that cannot be cleared, or repeated infections.Removal of jaw cysts (Surgical management of jaw cysts (enucleation, marsupialisation/decompression))An operation to remove a fluid-filled sac (cyst) from the jawbone, either by taking the whole lining out or by making a window to let it shrink first, to settle symptoms and confirm what it is.Removal of metalwork (Removal of orthopaedic metalwork (implant removal))An operation to take out metal plates, screws, nails or wires that were used to fix a broken bone after it has healed.Removal of skin lesions / cysts (excision of skin lesion or cyst)A small operation to remove a lump, cyst or skin growth from a child, usually so it can be checked and to stop it causing problems.Removal of umbilical granuloma (treatment of umbilical granuloma)Treatment for a small, moist red lump that can form in a baby's belly button after the cord stump falls off.Repair of a perforated ulcer (Surgical repair of a perforated peptic ulcer)An emergency operation to close a hole that has formed where a stomach or duodenal ulcer has burst through the wall, and to clean the abdomen.Reproductive immunology testing (Immunological tests and treatments for fertility and miscarriage)Blood or womb-lining tests (such as natural killer cell tests) that some clinics offer for miscarriage or failed IVF, and which UK regulators advise against outside research because they are not supported by good evidence.Resistant high blood pressure care (Management of resistant (difficult-to-control) hypertension)A specialist review for high blood pressure that stays above target despite three or more blood pressure medicines, to check the readings, look for hidden causes and adjust treatment safely.Respiratory consultation (Respiratory medicine specialist consultation)An appointment with a lung specialist to assess breathing symptoms such as cough or breathlessness, work out the cause, and plan any tests or treatment.Restless legs syndrome treatment (Restless legs syndrome (Willis-Ekbom disease) management)A step-by-step way of easing the strong urge to move the legs at night, starting with checking iron and sleep habits before any medicine is considered.Retinal detachment surgery (Surgical repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (vitrectomy, scleral buckle or pneumatic retinopexy))An urgent eye operation to put a detached retina back against the wall of the eye and seal the tear, to try to save your sight.Return-to-sport assessment (Return-to-sport / return-to-play assessment)A structured check, after injury or illness, to judge whether you are ready to return to training and competition safely — and how to stage that return.Return-to-work assessment (Return-to-work (functional and vocational) assessment)An assessment of what you can safely do at work after illness or injury, producing practical recommendations and adjustments to help you return — not, in itself, a treatment or a final ruling on your job.Reversibility testing (Bronchodilator reversibility (BDR) testing with spirometry)A breathing test that measures your lung function before and after a reliever inhaler, to see whether narrowed airways open up — which helps diagnose asthma.Revisional bariatric surgery (Revisional (redo) weight-loss surgery)A second weight-loss operation to correct a problem from a previous one, or to change to a different procedure, when the first has caused complications or is no longer working.Rezum and UroLift for an enlarged prostate (Rezum (water vapour therapy) and UroLift (prostatic urethral lift))Two minimally invasive treatments that ease urinary symptoms from an enlarged prostate while aiming to protect sexual function.Rheumatoid arthritis treatment and management (Management of rheumatoid arthritis)The ongoing, specialist-led plan to control rheumatoid arthritis, ease symptoms and protect joints using medicines, monitoring and support, rather than a one-off treatment.Rheumatology consultation (Rheumatology consultation (specialist assessment))A specialist appointment to assess joint, muscle, bone or autoimmune symptoms, work towards a diagnosis, and agree a plan.Right hemicolectomy (Right hemicolectomy (removal of the right side of the colon))An operation to remove the right side of the large bowel — usually for a cancer, large polyp or other disease — and join the remaining bowel back together.Rosacea treatment (Management of rosacea)Treatments to control rosacea, a common long-term skin condition that causes facial redness, flushing and acne-like spots.Rotator cuff repair (Rotator cuff repair (surgical tendon repair of the shoulder))An operation to reattach a torn rotator cuff tendon to the top of the arm bone to reduce pain and improve shoulder strength and movement.Routine and travel vaccinations (Childhood immunisation (routine schedule) and travel vaccination)Vaccines that protect children from serious infections — both the routine UK childhood schedule and extra vaccines that may be needed for travel.Routine vaccinations and boosters (Routine immunisation and booster vaccination (UK schedule))Vaccines and booster doses that keep your protection against serious infections up to date through adult life, following the current UK immunisation schedule.Running injury assessment and gait analysis (Assessment of running-related injury, including running (gait) analysis)An assessment of a running-related injury that combines history, examination and a look at how you run, to find the cause and plan a sensible return to running.
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Sacroiliac joint injection (Sacroiliac joint injection (SIJ injection))An X-ray or ultrasound-guided injection of local anaesthetic, often with a steroid, into or around the sacroiliac joint where the spine meets the pelvis, used to see whether that joint is causing your pain and to try to settle it for a while.Safety-critical worker medical (Fitness-for-task medical assessment for safety-critical work)A medical assessment that checks whether a worker is fit to do a safety-critical job — such as driving, rail, aviation or energy work — safely, against the specific standards that apply to that role.Salivary stone removal (Removal of a salivary duct stone (treatment of sialolithiasis))A procedure to remove a stone blocking a salivary gland or its duct, used to relieve the pain and swelling that come on when you eat.Same-day diagnostic scans (Urgent diagnostic imaging (X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI))Imaging tests such as X-ray, ultrasound, CT or MRI arranged quickly to look inside the body and help assess sudden or worrying symptoms.Scar revision (Scar revision surgery and scar treatment)Surgery or other treatments to improve the look, feel or function of a scar — though a scar can be improved, it can never be completely removed.School refusal and anxiety (Support for emotionally based school avoidance and anxiety)Help for a child or young person who finds it very hard or impossible to attend school because of anxiety or distress, focused on understanding the cause and supporting a gradual, kind return.Sciatica management (Management of sciatica (lumbar radicular pain))Non-surgical care for sciatica — nerve pain that travels down the leg — focused on staying active and a sensible plan, since most cases settle over weeks to months without surgery.Sciatica surgery (Surgery for sciatica (lumbar discectomy / decompression))An operation to take pressure off a squashed sciatic nerve root — usually by removing part of a slipped disc — to relieve leg pain, pins and needles or numbness.Scleroderma treatment (Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) management)Long-term, specialist-led treatment to ease the symptoms of scleroderma, slow the disease where possible, and watch closely for and treat involvement of organs such as the lungs, heart and kidneys.Seafarer medical (ENG1) (UK seafarer medical fitness examination (ENG1))A medical examination by an MCA-approved doctor that decides whether you are fit to work at sea on a UK ship.Sebaceous cyst removal (excision of an epidermoid or pilar cyst (commonly called a sebaceous cyst))A minor operation to remove a skin cyst — a harmless sac under the skin, commonly called a sebaceous cyst — usually through a small cut under local anaesthetic, taking out the whole sac so it is less likely to come back.Second-opinion pathology review (Specialist (second-opinion) review of pathology slides and report)A re-read of your tissue slides and pathology report by another specialist pathologist, often used for rare, unusual or borderline diagnoses to check the findings before treatment.Second-opinion psychiatric assessment (Independent second-opinion psychiatric assessment)A fresh assessment by a different psychiatrist to review your diagnosis or treatment, give an independent view, and help you and your team decide the best way forward.Second-opinion scan reporting (Second-opinion radiology reporting (independent image review))A re-read of scans you have already had — your existing X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI or PET-CT images are reviewed again by another radiologist, who issues a fresh written report.Secondary immunodeficiency assessment (Assessment of secondary (acquired) immunodeficiency)A specialist assessment to find out whether another illness or its treatment is weakening the immune system, how badly, and what can be done to protect against infection.Sedation and pain control in ICU (Sedation and analgesia in intensive care)How the intensive care team keeps a very unwell person comfortable, free of pain and able to tolerate treatment such as a breathing machine, using carefully adjusted medicines.Sedation for procedures (Procedural sedation (conscious/intravenous sedation))Medicine given to help you feel relaxed and drowsy during a test or minor procedure, given and monitored by a trained sedationist or anaesthetist.Seeing a medical oncologist (Medical oncology consultation)An appointment with a medical oncologist to discuss cancer drug treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy or hormone therapy, and to plan care.Self-harm and suicidal thoughts assessment (Psychosocial assessment for self-harm and suicidal thoughts)A careful, kind conversation with a mental health professional to understand your thoughts of suicide or self-harm, keep you safe, and plan the support that will help.Self-harm assessment (Psychosocial assessment after self-harm in children and young people)A careful, compassionate conversation with a mental health professional to understand why a young person has hurt themselves, what they need, and how to keep them safe.Semen analysis (Semen analysis (seminal fluid analysis))A laboratory test of a sperm sample that checks the number, movement and shape of sperm, used to investigate male fertility.Sensory processing assessment (Assessment of sensory processing differences)An assessment of how a child takes in and responds to everyday senses — like sound, touch, movement and light — to understand their sensory differences and what practical support may help.Sepsis and acute infection assessment (Assessment of suspected sepsis and acute infection)A same-day medical assessment to find the source and severity of an acute infection, and to check for sepsis, in someone who is stable enough to be assessed rather than needing emergency care.Sepsis treatment (Sepsis management)What sepsis is, why it is a medical emergency, how it is treated urgently in hospital, and the red-flag signs that mean you should call 999.Septal perforation repair (nasal septal perforation repair (septal perforation closure))Surgery to close a hole in the wall between the two sides of the nose, usually to relieve crusting, bleeding, whistling or a blocked feeling.Septoplasty (deviated septum) (Septoplasty)An operation to straighten a bent partition (septum) inside the nose, aimed at improving a genuinely blocked nasal airway when sprays have not helped enough.Sex and pornography addiction (Compulsive sexual behaviour disorder and problematic pornography use)Assessment and talking-therapy support for people whose sexual behaviour or pornography use feels out of control and is causing distress or harm, with honest care about a debated and evolving diagnosis.Sexual health (GUM) consultation (genitourinary medicine consultation)An appointment with a sexual health (genitourinary medicine) service to talk through symptoms or worries, arrange the right tests, and get advice, treatment, contraception or HIV-prevention medicine.Sexual health screening (no symptoms) (Asymptomatic sexually transmitted infection screening)A confidential set of tests for common sexually transmitted infections when you feel well and have no symptoms, to find and treat anything you may not know you have.Sexual health screening / STI testing (Sexually transmitted infection screening and testing)Confidential tests — usually urine, swabs and a blood sample — to check for sexually transmitted infections, whether or not you have symptoms.Sexually transmitted infection assessment (sexually transmitted infection assessment and testing)A clinician-led assessment to work out your risk of a sexually transmitted infection and arrange the right tests, often as part of broader infection or travel-related care.Shared motherhood (reciprocal IVF) (Reciprocal IVF (partner-assisted reproduction))A fertility treatment for female couples where one partner provides the eggs and the other carries the pregnancy, using donor sperm.Shockwave therapy (ESWT) (Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT))A non-invasive treatment that passes acoustic shockwaves through the skin to a painful tendon or fascia, sometimes used for stubborn problems such as plantar fasciitis or Achilles or elbow tendinopathy when rehabilitation alone has not settled them.Shockwave treatment for kidney stones (Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL))A non-surgical treatment that uses focused sound waves to break kidney or ureter stones into small pieces you can pass in your urine.Shoulder decompression (subacromial) (Arthroscopic subacromial decompression)A keyhole operation to remove a small amount of bone and tissue above the rotator cuff, used for some types of shoulder pain.Shoulder pain assessment (Clinical assessment of shoulder pain)A clinical assessment of shoulder pain to work out the likely cause — from rotator cuff problems and impingement to frozen shoulder or instability — and to plan the right treatment.Shoulder replacement (Shoulder arthroplasty)An operation that replaces the worn or damaged surfaces of the shoulder joint with artificial parts to reduce pain and, in many people, improve movement.Shoulder stabilisation (Shoulder stabilisation surgery (e.g. Bankart repair, Latarjet procedure))An operation to repair or rebuild the structures that hold the shoulder in its socket, done to stop a shoulder that keeps dislocating or feeling unstable.Shunt insertion for hydrocephalus (Insertion of a cerebrospinal fluid shunt (usually ventriculoperitoneal) for hydrocephalus)An operation to put in a thin tube (a shunt) that drains excess fluid from the brain to another part of the body, relieving the pressure caused by hydrocephalus.Sick notes and medical reports (Fit notes (Statement of Fitness for Work, Med3) and medical reports)Getting a fit note (sick note) when ill health affects your work, or a medical report or letter for an employer, insurer or other organisation.Sickle cell and thalassaemia management (Management of sickle cell disease and thalassaemia)Ongoing, specialist care for inherited blood conditions affecting the red cells, aiming to prevent complications, manage pain and treat anaemia.Sickness absence review (Occupational health sickness absence assessment)An impartial occupational health appointment, with your consent, to advise you and your employer on health-related absence and how to support a safe return to work.Sigmoid colectomy (removing the lower colon) (Sigmoid colectomy)An operation to remove the sigmoid colon (the last bend of the large bowel before the rectum), usually for diverticular disease or a cancer, then join the bowel back together.Six-minute walk test (Six-minute walk test (6MWT))A simple test that measures how far you can walk on a flat surface in six minutes, used to assess exercise capacity in heart and lung conditions and to track changes over time.Six-week baby review (6 to 8 week infant physical examination and review)A physical examination and development review of your baby at around 6 to 8 weeks, repeating the eye, heart, hip and (in boys) testes checks and discussing feeding, growth and how you are coping.Sjögren's syndrome treatment (Sjögren's disease (Sjögren's syndrome) management)Long-term treatment to relieve the dryness and other symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome and to protect the eyes, mouth and, where affected, other parts of the body.Skin allergy testing (Patch testing and skin prick testing)Tests carried out by a dermatologist or allergy team to find out whether your skin reacts to specific substances, helping to explain a rash or allergy and guide what to avoid.Skin biopsy and mole histology (Histopathology (microscopic examination) of skin and mole samples)This guide explains what happens to a skin or mole sample after it is removed, and what the laboratory report can and cannot tell you.Skin cancer radiotherapy (Radiotherapy for non-melanoma skin cancer (superficial X-ray, electron beam or brachytherapy))A planned course of radiation that aims to treat skin cancers such as basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, used mainly when surgery would be difficult or unwanted.Skin cancer removal (surgery) (Surgical excision of skin cancer)An operation to cut out a skin cancer with a margin of surrounding skin, so it can be examined under a microscope and, where possible, fully removed.Skin graft (Skin grafting (split-thickness or full-thickness))A procedure that moves a piece of healthy skin from one part of the body to cover a wound that cannot heal or be stitched on its own.Skin lesion or mole removal (Excision of skin lesion)A small operation, usually under local anaesthetic, to remove a mole, lump or other skin lesion — sometimes to check it for cancer, sometimes because it is troublesome.Skin surveillance (for work-related dermatitis) (Health surveillance for occupational dermatitis)Regular skin checks an employer arranges for workers whose job can cause dermatitis, to catch early skin changes — like redness, dryness or cracking — before they become severe.Skin-sparing mastectomy (Skin-sparing mastectomy (with immediate breast reconstruction))An operation to remove all the breast tissue while keeping most of the breast skin, usually with reconstruction at the same time to rebuild the breast shape.Sleep apnoea jaw surgery (Maxillomandibular advancement (bimaxillary osteotomy) for obstructive sleep apnoea)A major jaw operation that moves the upper and lower jaws forward to open up the airway, used for selected people with obstructive sleep apnoea when other treatments have not worked or are not tolerated.Sleep problems and insomnia management (Assessment and management of insomnia and other sleep problems)Assessment and treatment for ongoing difficulty falling or staying asleep, focusing first on practical changes and a talking therapy (CBT for insomnia) rather than sleeping pills.Sleep problems in older adults (management of insomnia and sleep disturbance in older adults)Help for older people who struggle to fall or stay asleep, focusing on causes and proven non-drug approaches before sleeping tablets.Slipped disc surgery (lumbar discectomy) (Lumbar discectomy)An operation to remove the part of a slipped (prolapsed) disc in the lower back that is pressing on a nerve, mainly to relieve leg pain (sciatica).Snoring and sleep apnoea surgery (surgery for snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea)An overview of operations sometimes used for snoring or obstructive sleep apnoea, what they can realistically achieve, and why other treatments usually come first.Spasticity assessment and management (Assessment and management of spasticity (muscle stiffness and spasms))Assessing muscle stiffness and spasms after a brain, spinal or nerve problem, and managing it with a tailored plan — usually only when the spasticity is causing problems.Specialist subspecialty pathology reporting (Subspecialty histopathology reporting by an expert pathologist)Your tissue sample is examined and reported by a pathologist who concentrates on that particular type of disease, using national standards, so the report is as accurate and complete as possible.Specialist symptom control (Specialist palliative care for symptom control)Expert help to ease the symptoms of a serious or life-limiting illness — such as pain, sickness, breathlessness or tiredness — so you can live as well and as comfortably as possible.Specific IgE blood tests (Allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) blood testing)A blood test that measures antibodies to specific allergens to help diagnose allergy, used alongside your symptoms rather than on its own.Speech and language concerns in children (Paediatric speech, language and communication assessment)An assessment of how a child understands and uses language, talks and communicates, to find out whether they have a delay or difficulty and what support could help.Speech audiometryA usually not painful hearing test that measures how well you can hear and understand spoken words, not just detect sounds, to add to the picture from a standard hearing test.Speech-in-noise testingA usually not painful hearing test that measures how well you understand speech when there is background noise, which can explain difficulty following conversations in busy places even when a standard hearing test looks normal.Sperm donation / donor sperm treatment (Treatment using donated sperm)Fertility treatment that uses sperm donated by another person, or the process of donating your own sperm to help others, arranged through a licensed UK clinic with screening, counselling and clear rules about legal parenthood and donor identity.Sperm freezing (Sperm cryopreservation and storage)Collecting and freezing sperm so it can be stored and used for fertility treatment in the future.Spinal anaesthetic (Spinal anaesthesia (subarachnoid block))A single injection of local anaesthetic into the fluid around the spinal nerves in your lower back, given by an anaesthetist, that numbs the lower half of your body for an operation while you stay awake.Spinal cord injury rehabilitation (Specialist rehabilitation after spinal cord injury)A team-based programme, usually in a specialist centre, to help you regain function and independence after a spinal cord injury and learn to manage your body, health and daily life.Spinal cord stimulator (assessment and implant) (Spinal cord stimulation: assessment, trial and implantation)An implanted device that sends mild electrical pulses to the spinal cord to try to reduce certain long-term nerve pain, used only for selected people after a trial period.Spinal decompression surgery (Spinal decompression (including lumbar decompression))An operation that takes pressure off a squashed spinal nerve or the spinal cord, usually to ease leg or arm pain caused by a trapped nerve.Spinal fusion (Spinal fusion (spinal fixation / arthrodesis))An operation that permanently joins two or more spine bones together, usually with metalwork and bone graft, to stop painful or unstable movement between them.Spirometry (lung function test) (Spirometry)A common breathing test that measures how much air you can breathe out and how fast, to help diagnose and monitor lung conditions.Spirometry (lung-function test) for work (Occupational spirometry / lung-function testing)A breathing test that measures how much air you can blow out and how fast, used in occupational health to set a baseline and to monitor for early signs of work-related lung disease.Spleen removal (splenectomy) (Splenectomy)An operation to remove the spleen, usually because it is damaged, diseased, enlarged or causing a blood problem; afterwards you need lifelong steps to reduce the risk of serious infection.Sport and exercise medicine consultation (Sport and exercise medicine (SEM) consultation)An appointment with a sport and exercise medicine specialist — a non-surgical doctor — to assess a muscle, joint or activity-related problem and agree a plan, usually built around rehabilitation rather than an operation.Sports injury assessment (Sport and exercise medicine assessment and management of a sports or activity-related injury)A clinical assessment of a sport or activity-related injury to work out what is hurt, how serious it is, and what rehabilitation will help it recover.Sprains and strains (Soft tissue injury (ligament sprain or muscle strain))Care for a twisted or overstretched joint or muscle, using rest, ice, support and pain relief, with advice on when an injury needs checking for a more serious problem.Squamous cell carcinoma treatment (Treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC))Treatment to remove a squamous cell carcinoma, a common type of skin cancer, most often by cutting it out with a margin of healthy skin.Squint (strabismus) surgery (Strabismus surgery (extraocular muscle surgery))An operation that adjusts the muscles that move the eye, to straighten a squint (turned eye) and help the eyes work better together.Stapedectomy (otosclerosis surgery) (Stapedectomy / stapedotomy)An operation for otosclerosis that replaces the fixed stapes (the smallest hearing bone) with a tiny prosthesis to improve a specific type of hearing loss.Stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR)A stapling operation done through the back passage to remove a section of the lower rectum, used for difficulty emptying the bowel (obstructed defaecation) caused by a rectocele or internal prolapse.Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR / SBRT) (Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), also called stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT))A very precise form of radiotherapy that delivers a high dose to a small, well-defined tumour in a few sessions, used for selected early-stage or limited cancers.Steroid joint injection (Intra-articular and soft tissue corticosteroid injection)An injection of anti-inflammatory steroid into or around a painful joint or soft tissue to ease pain and swelling for a period of time.Stoma reversal (Stoma reversal (ileostomy or colostomy closure))An operation to close a temporary stoma and rejoin the bowel, so waste can once again pass through the back passage.Stomach cancer surgery (Surgery for gastric (stomach) cancer)An overview of the operations used to treat stomach (gastric) cancer, from removing very early cancers through to removing part or all of the stomach, as part of a wider specialist treatment plan.Stomach removal (gastrectomy) (Gastrectomy)An operation to remove all or part of the stomach, most often to treat stomach cancer, after which the surgeon reconnects the digestive system.Stopping smoking (smoking cessation) (Smoking cessation / treatment of tobacco dependence)Support and treatment to help you stop smoking for good — combining behavioural help with stop-smoking medicines or a vape, which together give you the best chance of quitting.Stress and burnout management (Assessment and management of chronic stress and burnout)How a doctor or therapist helps you understand and recover from long-term stress and burnout, using practical change, talking therapies and, where needed, treatment for any depression or anxiety underneath.Stress fracture assessment (Assessment of a suspected bone stress injury or stress fracture)An assessment of a suspected stress fracture — an overuse injury where bone is loaded faster than it can repair — to confirm it, find out why it happened, and plan safe recovery.Stroke and TIA assessment (Assessment for stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA))A specialist assessment that works out whether you have had a stroke or a TIA (mini-stroke), why it happened, and what treatment can lower your risk of a future stroke.Stroke prevention assessment (Stroke risk assessment and secondary prevention review)A specialist review of the things that raise your risk of a stroke, with a plan to lower that risk through medicines, monitoring and lifestyle.Stroke rehabilitation (Stroke rehabilitation (multidisciplinary neurorehabilitation after stroke))A team-based programme of therapy after a stroke to help you regain as much movement, speech, thinking and independence as possible, and adapt to changes that remain.Subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy (Subcutaneous immunoglobulin replacement therapy (SCIG))A treatment that replaces missing antibodies through a needle under the skin, often given by the patient at home, to reduce serious infections in people with certain immune deficiencies.Submandibular gland removal (submandibular gland excision (removal of the submandibular salivary gland))Surgery to remove a salivary gland from under the jaw, usually because of repeated blockage, stones, infection or a lump.Sudden hearing loss assessment (Assessment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL))An urgent check to find the cause of a sudden drop in hearing and decide whether early treatment, such as steroids, might help.Supportive and palliative cancer care (Supportive (cancer) care)Care that manages symptoms and supports wellbeing alongside cancer treatment, to help you feel as well as possible; it is not the same as giving up.Surgery for throat or voice box cancer (Surgical treatment of laryngeal and pharyngeal (throat) cancer, including laryngectomy)An operation, or part of a wider treatment plan, to remove cancer of the voice box or throat, ranging from precise keyhole laser removal to removing the whole voice box.Surgery to fix a broken bone (Fracture fixation (open reduction and internal fixation, ORIF))An operation to put the pieces of a broken bone back into the right position and hold them there, usually with metal plates, screws, wires, nails or pins, so the bone can heal.Surgical sperm retrieval (TESA / TESE / PESA) (Surgical sperm retrieval (PESA, TESA, TESE, micro-TESE))A minor surgical procedure to collect sperm directly from the testicle or the tube beside it (epididymis) when there is little or no sperm in the semen.Surrogacy support (Surrogacy: clinic treatment and support pathway)Clinic support and treatment for surrogacy, where another person (the surrogate) carries and gives birth to a baby for the intended parent or parents.Suspected pulmonary embolism assessment (Diagnostic assessment for suspected pulmonary embolism (PE))The tests and scoring a doctor uses to find out whether sudden breathlessness, chest pain or a swollen leg is caused by a blood clot on the lung.Swollen glands and spleen check (Assessment of lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly)A specialist check to find out why a lymph node (gland) or the spleen is enlarged, and whether any further tests are needed.Sympathetic nerve block (Sympathetic nerve block (for example stellate ganglion block or lumbar sympathetic block))An injection of local anaesthetic around a cluster of 'sympathetic' nerves to see whether quietening them eases certain kinds of long-term nerve pain.Syphilis test and treatment (Treponema pallidum testing and antibiotic treatment)A blood test (and sometimes a swab from a sore) to check for syphilis, an infection that can be silent but serious if untreated, with antibiotic treatment that cures it.Syringe driver (continuous infusion under the skin) (Continuous subcutaneous infusion (syringe driver / syringe pump))A small battery pump that gives a steady flow of symptom-relief medicine through a fine tube just under the skin, used when tablets are no longer suitable — for example if swallowing or keeping things down is difficult.
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TACE for liver tumours (Transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE))A keyhole, image-guided treatment that delivers chemotherapy straight into a liver tumour through its blood supply and then blocks that supply, used to control liver cancer when surgery is not possible.Targeted (biological) cancer therapy (Targeted cancer therapy (biological therapy))Cancer medicines that target specific features of cancer cells, given as tablets or infusions, often after testing the cancer to see if a target is present.Targeted and immunotherapy treatment (Targeted anti-cancer therapy and immunotherapy)Newer cancer medicines that either block a specific feature inside cancer cells or help the immune system attack them, used in many blood cancers.TAVI (keyhole aortic valve replacement) (Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI))A catheter-based procedure that fits a new aortic valve through a blood vessel, usually in the groin, without open-heart surgery — mainly for people for whom surgery is higher risk.Tear duct surgery (DCR) (Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR))An operation to treat a blocked tear duct by making a new drainage channel from the tear sac into the nose, used mainly for a persistently watery or infected eye.Tendinopathy assessment and injection (Tendinopathy assessment and corticosteroid injection)An assessment of a painful tendon, and where appropriate an injection (often a steroid) to ease pain, usually alongside an exercise programme rather than instead of it.Tendinopathy treatment (tennis elbow, Achilles, patellar) (Tendinopathy management)Non-surgical management of painful, overused tendons such as tennis elbow, Achilles and patellar (jumper's knee) tendinopathy, where a gradual loading and rehabilitation programme is the mainstay.Tendon repair (Surgical repair of a divided tendon (tenorrhaphy))An operation to stitch back together a tendon that has been cut or torn, usually in the hand, wrist or forearm, so a finger, thumb or joint can move again.Testicle removal (orchidectomy) (Orchidectomy (orchiectomy))An operation to remove a testicle, most often through a cut in the groin, used mainly to diagnose and treat a suspected testicular cancer.Testicular (scrotal) ultrasound (Scrotal ultrasonography (ultrasound of the testes))A usually not painful scan that uses sound waves (no radiation) to look at the testicles and scrotum, often to find out what is causing a lump, swelling or pain.Testosterone deficiency assessment (Assessment for male hypogonadism (low testosterone))A careful check of symptoms and blood tests to find out whether a man genuinely has low testosterone, and if so why, before any treatment is considered.Tests for Cushing's syndrome (Investigation of Cushing's syndrome (hypercortisolism))A step-by-step set of hormone tests used to find out whether your body is making too much of the stress hormone cortisol, and if so, why.Tetanus and emergency vaccination (Tetanus prophylaxis after injury (tetanus-containing vaccine and tetanus immunoglobulin))A tetanus booster, and sometimes an injection of ready-made antibodies, given after certain injuries to protect against tetanus, a rare but serious infection.Therapeutic mammoplasty (therapeutic mammaplasty (oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery))An operation that removes a breast cancer while reshaping the breast using breast-reduction techniques, helping keep the breast with a better cosmetic result.Therapeutic venesection (Therapeutic venesection (therapeutic phlebotomy))A procedure to remove a measured amount of blood, much like a blood donation, used to lower iron or red-cell levels in certain conditions such as haemochromatosis.Thigh lift (thighplasty)Surgery to remove loose, excess skin and sometimes fat from the thighs to improve their shape, often after major weight loss.Thoracic aortic aneurysm repair (Repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm (open surgery or TEVAR))An operation to repair a weakened, bulging section of the main artery in the chest (the aorta) to lower the risk of it tearing or bursting.Thrombolysis (clot-dissolving treatment) (Catheter-directed thrombolysis)An urgent treatment that uses a powerful clot-dissolving drug, often delivered through a fine tube placed right at the clot, to reopen a blood vessel that has suddenly become blocked.Thrombophilia screening (clotting tendency test) (Thrombophilia testing)Blood tests that look for an inherited or acquired tendency to form clots. They are only useful in selected situations, because in most people the result does not change treatment.Thrush check-up (Vulvovaginal candidiasis (thrush) assessment)An assessment to confirm whether your symptoms are caused by thrush (a common yeast called candida) and to rule out other conditions that can look similar.Thymus removal (Thymectomy)An operation to remove the thymus gland from the front of the chest, usually for a thymus tumour (thymoma) or to help control myasthenia gravis.Thyroid eye disease assessment (Assessment of thyroid eye disease (Graves' orbitopathy))A specialist eye and thyroid review for people with thyroid eye disease, to measure how active and severe it is, protect sight, and plan treatment.Thyroid fine needle aspiration (Thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology (FNA / FNAC))A quick test that uses a fine needle, usually guided by ultrasound, to take a small sample of cells from a thyroid lump to check whether it is benign or needs further attention.Thyroid nodule ablation (Ultrasound-guided percutaneous ablation of benign thyroid nodules (radiofrequency or microwave))A non-surgical, image-guided treatment that uses heat through a fine needle to shrink a confirmed benign thyroid lump that is causing symptoms or visible swelling, for selected people who want to avoid or cannot have surgery.Thyroid nodule assessment (Assessment of a thyroid nodule (lump))A step-by-step check of a thyroid lump using examination, blood tests and an ultrasound scan, with a needle test only if needed, to find out whether it is harmless or needs treatment.Thyroid surgery (thyroidectomy) (Thyroidectomy)An operation to remove part or all of the thyroid gland in the neck, used for goitre, nodules, an overactive thyroid or thyroid cancer.Thyroid ultrasound (Ultrasound scan of the thyroid gland and neck)A usually not painful scan that uses sound waves to look at the thyroid gland in the neck, usually to check a lump or an abnormal thyroid blood test.TIA (mini-stroke) assessment (Transient ischaemic attack assessment)An urgent specialist assessment after a suspected mini-stroke (TIA), to find the cause and lower your risk of a full stroke.Tics and Tourette's assessment (Clinical assessment of tic disorders and Tourette syndrome)An assessment for a child or young person with tics, to understand what is happening, whether it fits a tic disorder or Tourette syndrome, and what support may help.Tilt table test (Head-up tilt table test)A test that tilts you from lying to nearly standing on a special table, while your heart rate and blood pressure are watched, to find out why you faint or feel faint.Time-lapse embryo monitoring (Time-lapse imaging and incubation of embryos)An IVF 'add-on' in which embryos are grown in a special incubator with a built-in camera that photographs them continuously, in the hope of choosing the best embryo — though good trials show it does not improve the chance of a baby for most patients.Tinnitus assessment and managementAn assessment and ongoing care for people who hear ringing, buzzing or other sounds that have no outside source, aimed at understanding the cause and reducing the impact on daily life.Tongue base / palate surgery (UPPP) (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) and tongue base surgery)Throat surgery that trims and reshapes the soft palate, uvula and sometimes the tongue base to widen the airway in snoring or obstructive sleep apnoea.Tongue-tie assessment and division in babies (Assessment and division of ankyloglossia (tongue-tie), frenotomy / frenulotomy)An assessment of a baby's tongue-tie and, only when it is genuinely affecting feeding, a quick procedure to release the small piece of skin under the tongue — always alongside proper feeding and lactation support.Tongue-tie release (Frenotomy (frenulotomy) for ankyloglossia)A quick procedure, most often in young babies, to divide a tight band of tissue under the tongue (tongue-tie) when it is making breastfeeding difficult.Tonsil removal (tonsillectomy) (Tonsillectomy)An operation to remove the tonsils, usually for repeated tonsillitis or breathing problems during sleep.Tonsillitis and sore throat assessment in children (Assessment of acute and recurrent tonsillitis / sore throat)An assessment to work out why a child has a sore throat or tonsillitis, whether it is likely viral (most are) or bacterial, whether antibiotics are needed, and — for children with repeated attacks — whether anything more, such as a tonsil operation, should be considered.Total colectomy (removing the large bowel) (Total colectomy)An operation to remove all or most of the large bowel (colon), used for conditions such as severe ulcerative colitis, some inherited polyp conditions or certain cancers.Tracheostomy care in intensive care (Tracheostomy (surgical or percutaneous) and its care in critical care)A plain-English guide for patients and families explaining a tracheostomy — a tube placed through the front of the neck into the windpipe — why it is used in intensive care, how people communicate with one, and how it is weaned and removed.Trapeziectomy (thumb base surgery) (Trapeziectomy (excision of the trapezium for thumb base osteoarthritis))An operation that removes a small wrist bone at the base of the thumb to relieve the pain of thumb base arthritis when other treatments have not worked.Traumatic brain injury rehabilitation (Rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury (acquired brain injury neurorehabilitation))A team-based programme of therapy after a brain injury to help you regain physical, thinking, communication and emotional abilities and adapt to lasting changes.Travel health advice and vaccinations (Pre-travel health risk assessment and immunisation)A pre-travel appointment that assesses your trip and health, then offers the vaccinations and advice (including malaria prevention) that match where you are going and what you will be doing.Travel vaccinations (Travel immunisations)Vaccines given before travelling abroad to reduce the risk of catching certain infections at your destination, planned around your trip, health and timing.Treatment for abnormal cervical cells (LLETZ) (Large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ))A quick procedure that removes the area of abnormal (pre-cancerous) cells from the cervix using a thin heated wire loop, to stop them ever becoming cervical cancer.Treatment for anxiety disorders (Treatment of anxiety disorders in adults)How anxiety disorders in adults are treated, including self-help, talking therapies such as CBT, and medication where it is needed — with urgent support if you are in crisis.Treatment for urinary incontinence (Management of urinary incontinence (stress, urgency and mixed))An overview of the options for leaking urine, from pelvic floor exercises and lifestyle changes first, through medicines, injections and, for some people, surgery.Treatment of brain aneurysm (Treatment of an intracranial (cerebral) aneurysm by coiling or clipping)Treatment to seal off a weakened, balloon-like bulge in a brain blood vessel (an aneurysm) to stop it bleeding, either from inside the vessel (coiling) or with an operation (clipping).Treatment of breathing (respiratory) failure in intensive care (Management of respiratory failure (including ARDS) in critical care)A plain-English guide for patients and families explaining how intensive care supports the lungs when breathing fails — from oxygen and masks to a ventilator — and what recovery may look like.Treatment of jaw joint disorder (TMJ / TMD) (Management of temporomandibular disorders (TMD))Treatment for pain and problems in the jaw joint and chewing muscles, which for most people means supported self-care and simple measures first, with injections or surgery reserved for a small minority.Treatment of peripheral arterial disease (Management of peripheral arterial disease (PAD))An overview of how narrowed leg arteries are managed — from exercise and medicines to keyhole or surgical treatment — to ease symptoms and protect the heart and limbs.Treatment of pilonidal sinus (treatment of pilonidal sinus disease)Treatment for a small pit or tunnel at the top of the buttock crease that traps hair and can become painful or infected, most often in teenagers and young adults.Treatment of spinal stenosis (Management of spinal (lumbar or cervical) stenosis)The range of treatments for a narrowed spinal canal that is squashing nerves — from exercise and pain relief to injections and, when needed, surgery to make more room.Trichomoniasis testing and treatment (Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) testing and treatment)Testing for the sexually transmitted infection trichomoniasis and, if found, treating it (and partners) with antibiotics.Trigeminal neuralgia surgery (Surgery and procedures for trigeminal neuralgia)Operations and procedures to ease trigeminal neuralgia — severe, electric-shock-like facial pain — when medicines no longer control it or cause unacceptable side effects.Trigger finger release (Trigger finger (stenosing tenosynovitis) release)A small operation to free a finger or thumb that catches, clicks or locks when you bend it, by releasing the tight tunnel the tendon runs through.Trigger point injection (Trigger point injection (for myofascial pain))An injection into a tender 'knot' in a muscle to try to ease localised muscle pain, usually as one part of a wider plan.Tropical disease diagnosis and treatment (Assessment and management of imported tropical and travel-related infections)Specialist assessment and treatment for infections caught abroad - such as malaria, typhoid or dengue - that cause symptoms like fever, diarrhoea or rash after travel.Tryptase testing (Serum mast cell tryptase measurement)A blood test that measures tryptase, a marker released by mast cells, used to help look into severe allergic reactions and possible mast cell disorders.Tubal patency test (HyCoSy / HSG) (Tubal patency testing (HyCoSy / hysterosalpingography))A test to check whether the fallopian tubes are open, using either an ultrasound scan with contrast (HyCoSy) or an X-ray with dye (HSG), as part of investigating difficulty conceiving.Tuberculosis (TB) screening and treatment (Tuberculosis screening and treatment (latent and active))Tests to find tuberculosis infection (sleeping or active) and the medicine course used to treat it, which must be completed in full to work and to prevent drug resistance.Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)Surgery to remove loose skin and fat from the tummy and tighten the underlying muscles, creating a flatter, firmer abdomen.Tumour ablation (heat treatment) (Image-guided thermal ablation (radiofrequency or microwave))A keyhole, image-guided treatment that destroys a small tumour with heat, using a needle-like probe passed through the skin, most often in the liver or kidney.Tumour and cancer diagnosis from a biopsy (Histopathological diagnosis of a tumour from a biopsy sample)This guide explains how a laboratory uses a biopsy sample to work out whether a lump or abnormal area is cancer, and what that diagnosis can and cannot tell you.Tumour genetic / molecular testing (Somatic tumour genomic (molecular) profiling and biomarker testing)Laboratory tests on a sample of the cancer (or sometimes blood) to look for genetic and molecular changes that help confirm the diagnosis and guide which treatments are most likely to help.Turbinate reduction (turbinate reduction (turbinoplasty / inferior turbinate surgery))A small procedure to shrink the swollen turbinates inside the nose so air can pass more easily when a blocked nose has not settled with sprays.TympanometryA quick, usually not painful test that checks how well your eardrum and middle ear are working by gently changing the air pressure in your ear canal, helping to find problems such as fluid behind the eardrum.Type 1 diabetes management (Management of type 1 diabetes mellitus in adults)Lifelong care for type 1 diabetes, where the body makes little or no insulin, focused on insulin treatment, glucose monitoring, and preventing short- and long-term complications.Type 2 diabetes management (Management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults)Long-term care for type 2 diabetes, where the body cannot use insulin properly, focused on glucose control, protecting the heart and kidneys, and preventing complications.
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Ulnar nerve decompression (Ulnar nerve decompression at the elbow (cubital tunnel surgery))An operation to relieve pressure on the ulnar nerve at the elbow, usually to ease numbness, tingling or weakness in the little and ring fingers caused by cubital tunnel syndrome.Ultrasound scan (Ultrasound scan (sonography))A scan that uses high-frequency sound waves (no X-rays) to make live pictures of organs, blood flow, muscles or a developing baby to help diagnose a problem.Ultrasound-guided injection (Ultrasound-guided injection (image-guided joint/soft-tissue injection))An injection placed precisely using ultrasound to guide the needle — often to confirm where pain comes from and to give temporary relief as part of a wider plan, rather than a cure.Ultrasound-guided joint or soft-tissue injection (Ultrasound-guided joint and soft-tissue injection)An injection of steroid (and usually local anaesthetic) into a joint or soft tissue, with a radiologist using ultrasound to guide the needle to the right spot.Umbilical hernia repair (umbilical herniorrhaphy)An operation to push back the bulge of an umbilical or paraumbilical hernia at or near the belly button and close the weak spot in the tummy wall, sometimes using a small piece of mesh.Under-the-tongue allergy treatment (sublingual immunotherapy) (Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT))A daily tablet or drops placed under the tongue that, over years, makes your immune system react less to an allergen such as grass pollen or house dust mite.Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) management (Management of primary hypothyroidism in adults)Treatment and monitoring for an underactive thyroid, usually with daily levothyroxine tablets and regular blood tests to keep thyroid hormone levels in a healthy range.Undescended testicle surgery (orchidopexy) (orchidopexy (orchiopexy) for undescended testis)A children's operation to bring a testicle that has not come down into the scrotum into its correct position and hold it there.Upper jaw (maxillary) surgery (Maxillary osteotomy (Le Fort I osteotomy))Planned surgery to cut and reposition the upper jaw (a Le Fort I osteotomy), moving it to correct the bite and facial balance, almost always combined with a long course of braces.Ureteric stent insertion (insertion of a ureteric (JJ / double-J) stent)A short procedure to place a soft, hollow tube inside the ureter so urine can drain from the kidney to the bladder when the natural drainage is blocked or at risk.Urgent care / walk-in assessment (Urgent care assessment (urgent treatment centre, walk-in centre or minor injuries unit))A same-day assessment for minor injuries and sudden minor illness, where a clinician examines you, may arrange simple tests, and advises on treatment or onward care.Urine albumin / protein testing (Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) and protein-to-creatinine ratio (PCR) testing)A simple urine test that measures albumin or protein leaking into the urine, used to look for early kidney damage, especially in people with diabetes or high blood pressure.Urodynamic studies (bladder tests) (Urodynamic investigations (including cystometry and pressure-flow studies))A group of bladder tests that measure how the bladder fills, stores and empties urine, used to clarify the cause of bladder problems before some treatments.Uterine fibroid embolisation (Uterine artery embolisation (UAE) for fibroids)A keyhole, X-ray-guided treatment that blocks the blood supply to womb fibroids so they shrink, easing heavy periods and pressure symptoms without removing the womb.
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Vaccination advice for immunocompromised patients (immunisation advice for immunosuppressed and immunocompromised individuals)Specialist advice on which vaccines are safe, which to avoid, and how to time and adjust them when your immune system is weakened by illness or treatment.Vaccine response testing (Specific antibody response testing (test immunisation))A two-stage blood test that checks whether your immune system can make protective antibodies after a vaccine, used to assess how well your antibody defences actually work.Vaginal prolapse repair (Surgical repair of pelvic organ prolapse)An operation to support pelvic organs that have dropped into the vagina, aiming to relieve symptoms; surgery is one option alongside non-surgical treatments.Varicocele treatment (varicocele repair (surgical ligation or radiological embolisation))Treatment to block or tie off enlarged veins in the scrotum, usually offered for ongoing pain, a size difference between the testicles, or some fertility problems.Varicose vein treatment (laser, EVLA) (Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of varicose veins)A keyhole treatment that uses laser heat through a thin fibre to seal a faulty leg vein causing varicose veins.Vascular dementia assessmentAn assessment to find out whether memory and thinking problems are caused by reduced blood supply to the brain, and to manage the risk factors behind it.Vasculitis treatment (Vasculitis management)Specialist-led treatment to switch off the inflammation of blood vessels in vasculitis, protect organs, and then keep the condition under control over the long term.Vasectomy (Vasectomy (male sterilisation))A small operation that cuts and seals the tubes carrying sperm, used as a permanent form of contraception for men.Vasectomy reversal (vasectomy reversal (vasovasostomy or vasoepididymostomy))Microsurgery to rejoin the tubes that were cut or sealed at a vasectomy, aiming to allow sperm back into the semen so a man may father children again.Vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty (Percutaneous vertebroplasty / percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty (vertebral augmentation))An image-guided procedure that injects special bone cement into a painful collapsed (fractured) spinal bone to stabilise it and help reduce pain, for selected people whose severe pain has not settled with other treatment.Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) (Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cervical VEMP and ocular VEMP))A balance test that plays sounds into your ears and measures tiny muscle responses to check parts of the inner ear that other balance tests cannot reach.Vestibular function testing (vestibular function testing (balance testing))A group of usually not painful tests that check how well the balance organs in the inner ears and the related eye and muscle reflexes are working, used to investigate dizziness, vertigo and unsteadiness.Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (Vestibular rehabilitation (balance retraining therapy))A tailored, drug-free exercise programme that gradually retrains your balance system and brain to reduce dizziness and unsteadiness.Video head impulse test (vHIT)A quick balance test that uses lightweight goggles to check how well your eyes keep a target in focus when your head is turned quickly.Vision and eyesight screening for work (Occupational vision screening)A check of how well you see, used at work to flag whether your eyesight meets the needs of your job — but it is a screen, not a full eye examination, so a clear result does not replace seeing an optometrist.Vitamin B12 deficiency management (Diagnosis and management of vitamin B12 deficiency)Diagnosing and treating a lack of vitamin B12, usually with injections or tablets, while working out the cause and whether treatment needs to be lifelong.Vitamin D deficiency management (Management of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in adults)Treatment and sensible supplementation for low vitamin D, which is important for healthy bones and muscles, while avoiding taking too much.Vitiligo management (Treatment and management of vitiligo)The range of treatments and support a dermatologist may offer for vitiligo, where the skin loses colour in patches, aimed at restoring some pigment, slowing spread, protecting the skin and supporting wellbeing.Vitrectomy (Pars plana vitrectomy)Keyhole eye surgery that removes the jelly inside the eye so the surgeon can treat problems at the back of the eye, such as the retina or macula.Von Willebrand disease management (Management of von Willebrand disease)Looking after people with von Willebrand disease, the most common inherited bleeding disorder, so that bleeding is prevented and controlled around periods, injuries, dental work and surgery.Vulval conditions clinic (Vulval disorders clinic)A specialist appointment to assess and treat vulval skin problems such as itching, soreness, white patches or changes in the skin, and to check for conditions that need ongoing care or a biopsy.
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Wart and verruca treatment (Treatment of cutaneous viral warts (verrucae))Treatments to clear warts and verrucas, which are harmless viral skin growths that often go away on their own but can be slow and stubborn.Watery eye treatment (treatment of epiphora (watering eye))Treatment to reduce a persistently watering eye, after finding the cause, ranging from drops and minor procedures to surgery that creates a new tear-drainage channel.Wedge resection of the lung (Wedge resection of lung (sublobar resection))An operation to remove a small wedge-shaped piece of lung, often to take out or diagnose a nodule while keeping as much healthy lung as possible.Weight management advice (Weight management assessment and treatment, including weight-loss medicines)Support to manage your weight in a healthy, sustainable way — covering diet, activity, behaviour and, for some people, weight-loss medicines, with honest information about what they can and cannot do.Wheelchair and seating assessmentAn assessment by a specialist team to work out the right wheelchair and seating for your body, posture, skin and daily life, so you can move safely and sit comfortably.Whipple's operation (Whipple's procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy))A major operation to remove the head of the pancreas and nearby structures, most often to try to remove a cancer at the head of the pancreas or where the bile duct meets the bowel.Wisdom tooth removal (Surgical removal of third molars (third molar extraction))A procedure to remove one or more wisdom teeth, usually because they are causing pain, infection or other problems.Work-related stress assessment (Occupational health assessment for work-related stress)An impartial occupational health assessment that looks at how work pressures are affecting your health and what changes at work might help.Workplace mental health assessment (Occupational mental health assessment (fitness for work))An assessment, usually by an occupational health professional, of how your mental health affects your work — to advise on fitness for work, adjustments and support, with your consent over any report.Workstation / ergonomic assessment (Ergonomic workstation and task assessment)A detailed look at how you work and your equipment, to reduce strain on your body and tailor adjustments, often for people with symptoms or specific needs.