A-Z of health and social care
A
Acute Assessment Unit (AAU)
The AAU is the first port of call for patients referred to hospital as an emergency by their GP or those requiring admission from the Emergency Department. The primary role of the AAU is to provide rapid definitive assessment, investigation and treatment.
Acute services
Medical and surgical treatment provided mainly in hospitals.
Ambulatory Care
Services where people do not stay in hospital overnight e.g., outpatients, X-ray, day surgery and medical diagnostics.
Anaesthetics
The word “anaesthesia” means loss of sensation. An anaesthetic is a treatment that prevents patients from feeling pain. They work by blocking the signals to the brain that pass along the nerves. Three types of anaesthetics: local - which only numbs a small part of your body whilst you are awake; regional – numbs a part of your body e.g. an arm, often used whilst you are awake; and general – makes you unconscious and unaware during an operation.
Audiology
The study and treatment of hearing, balance and related disorders.
B
Barts Health NHS Foundation Trust
Barts Health runs Whipps Cross University Hospital in the Leytonstone area of Waltham Forest as well as Newham Hospital, Mile End Hospital, the Royal London Hospital (Whitechapel) and St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in the City of London as well as other services. For more information see www.bartshealth.nhs.uk.
Barts Heart Centre
One of the country’s leading cardiac centres based at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital. Cardiac services also provided at Whipps Cross, Newham and the Royal London hospitals. They treat a wide range of complex conditions including coronary heart disease, arrhythmias, heart failure and many other cardiac problems. For more information see www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/barts-heart-centre
C
Caldicott Guardian
Each NHS Trust has a Caldicott Guardian who ensures that patient information is collected, stored, used and released appropriately by their organisation adhering to the set of standards known as the Caldicott principles. Named after Dame Fiona Caldicott who chaired the Caldicott Committee and wrote the Caldicott Report in 1997.
Cardiology
The medical specialty to diagnose, assess and treat diseases and defects of the heart and blood vessels (the cardiovascular system).
Care Pathway
An approach to managing a specific disease or clinical condition that identifies early on what treatments and care are required, along with the possible outcome.
Care Quality Commission (CQC)
The CQC is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. Its role is to register care providers and monitor, inspect and rate their services in order to protect users. More information is available at www.cqc.org.uk .
Carer
A person who provides a substantial amount of care on a regular basis, and who is not employed to do so by an agency or organisation. A carer is usually a friend or relative looking after someone who is frail or ill at home.
C. Diff
Abbreviation for Clostridium Difficile (also sometimes referred to as C Difficile), an infection that causes diarrhoea.
Chemotherapy
The use of drugs to treat the whole body and kill cancer cells wherever they might spread. There will be side effects but these can be managed and are often temporary.
Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS)
A specialist mental health team providing support to children, young people and their families. Waltham Forest’s CAMHS is run by NELFT. See www.nelft.nhs.uk/waltham-forest-camhs
Clinical Team
A clinical team may comprise of doctors, nurses and other health staff who provide care to patients and services of a particular type, e.g. cancer services.
Clinician
A health professional who is directly involved in the care and treatment of patients, for example, nurses, doctors, therapists.
Community Care
Care, particularly for older people, people with learning disabilities or mental illness, which is provided outside the hospital setting.
Co-morbidity
Term used to signify multiple illnesses.
COPD – Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
A condition that affects respiratory functions and system.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
An infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which was discovered in China in 2019. There were nearly 25 million cases in the UK with over 230,000 deaths (up to July 24).
CT Scanner – Computerised Tomography Scanner
A scanner that produces detailed cross-section images of the body that cannot be provided using conventional x-rays.
CTG – Cardiotocography
An electronic system that monitors foetal heart rate during labour.
D
Day Care Admission
Day care patients are admitted for care or treatment that can be completed in a few hours and does not require a hospital bed overnight.
Delayed Transfer of Care
Patients occupying a hospital bed who are ready for discharge, but awaiting other services before they can be discharged.
Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)
DHSC is a ministerial department, supported by 23 agencies and public bodies including CQC, MHRA, NICE, UKHSA (see their respective entries). Responsible for the nation’s health and social care to help people live more independent, healthier lives for longer.
Dermatology
The diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases and conditions such as eczema, photosensitivity, psoriasis, genetic skin diseases, skin allergies and cancers.
Diagnostics
Tests to help clinical staff reach a diagnosis, e.g. pathology tests or x-rays.
E
Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT)
ENT is the service that deals with conditions of the ear, nose and throat ranging from excessive ear wax to skull base disease.
eConsult
A form-based online consultation and triage platform, usually found on a GP website, that collects a patient’s medical or administrative request and sends it through to the GP practice to decide on the right course of action.
Elective Admission
A patient who is admitted from a waiting list, sometimes also called planned care.
Electronic Booking
Patients make appointments online and are able to obtain information on waiting times.
Electronic Patient Record
The electronic version of the medical record, linking clinical documentation, test and examination results and details of patient encounters, available to clinicians instantly at different locations.
Emergency Admission
A patient admitted to hospital at short notice because of clinical need or because alternative care is not available.
Emergency Department (ED)
Often known as Accident & Emergency (A&E), the ED provides emergency medical treatment. There is an ED at Whipps Cross.
Endocrinology
The study and management of rare and complex diseases of the endocrine system that affect the glands of the body. The Barts Health service based at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital has one of the largest teams in the UK and consists of specialists in different fields and they have access to gold-standard diagnostic tests that are not widely available across the UK. It is one of the few endocrine centres in the country with a dedicated day unit.
F
Foundation Trust
Autonomous NHS organisations responsible for managing their services, free from central government control. They decide how to improve their services and can retain any surpluses they generate or borrow money to support these investments. They establish strong connections with their local communities; local people can become members and governors. Two trusts operate in Waltham Forest - Barts Health NHS Trust who run Whipps Cross University Hospital and North East London NHS Foundation Trust who are responsible for community and mental health services.
G
Gastroenterology
The study and treatment of disorders of the digestive system - the oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, liver and pancreas. Barts Health’s Centre for Digestive Diseases at the Royal London Hospital is one of the few specialist centres around the world to offer care for patients with gastroenterological conditions throughout their whole lives from a small baby through to old age.
General Practitioners (GP)
Doctors who provide family health services to a local community. They are usually based in a surgery or GP practice and are often the first port of call for most patients with a concern about their health. GPs aim to manage short- and long-term illnesses and to co-ordinate care with other services. There are around 40 GP surgeries in Waltham Forest.
Goodmayes Hospital
Our local mental health hospital with inpatient wards is run by the North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT). It is located near Ilford in the neighbouring borough of Redbridge.
Gynaecology
The study and treatment of disorders of the female reproductive system.
H
Health and Wellbeing Boards (HWBs)
Introduced in 2012, each upper-tier authority (i.e. the London Borough of Waltham Forest) in England formed an HWB which is a group of people and organisations (including Healthwatch) who work together to improve the health and wellbeing of their local population and reduce health inequalities. For further information see www.walthamforest.gov/health-and-wellbeing/public-health-strategies-and-policies/health-and-wellbeing-board.
Haematology
Relates to diseases of the blood including haemophilia and sickle cell anaemia. At Barts Health, this service helps diagnose and treat blood cancers (e.g. leukaemia) in conjunction with the Barts Cancer Centre at St Bartholomew’s. The blood transfusion department is the largest in the UK.
Hepatology
The study and management of conditions related to the liver e.g. alcohol-related liver disease, fatty liver disease, hepatitis. Part of the wider gastroenterology department at the Centre for Digestive Diseases at the Royal London Hospital but with clinics at Whipps Cross. They provide both acute inpatient and outpatient care for a wide range of conditions affecting the liver and are a tertiary referral centre for hospitals across north east London. The team encompasses a range of professions, including consultants, junior doctors, specialist nurses, pharmacists and radiologists.
High Dependency Unit
Area for patients who require more intensive observation, treatment and nursing care than a general ward, but do not need to have full intensive care, called level 2 care.
I
Imaging
Imaging includes a wide range of medical and diagnostic technology such as routine x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, nuclear medicine, ultrasound etc. St. Bartholomew’s and the Royal London Hospital are two of the world’s oldest established radiology facilities in the world having used diagnostic imaging since 1895.
Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IMPART)
IMPART provides evidence based treatments for individuals with personality disorders and also provides support for families and friends of their clients. In Waltham Forest, NELFT runs this service based at the Goodmayes Hospital.
Inpatient
A patient who was admitted to hospital for treatment and is occupying a hospital bed.
Integrated Care
It is an approach to deliver services in a joined-up, co-ordinated and personalised way to meet people’s health, care and support needs so that they receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place. Currently, this is being pursued through the Integrated Care Boards and Primary Care Networks.
Integrated Care Board (ICBs)
Formed on 1 July 2022 following the Health and Care Act 2022, ICBs have taken over the work of Clinical Commissioning Groups planning and commissioning NHS Services. Waltham Forest is one of eight London local authorities served by the North East London ICB. For further information, see northeastlondon.icb.nhs.uk/about-us/
Integrated Care Pathway
Improving the patient’s route for treatment through different health and social care systems by combining resources and co-ordinating working methods to prevent hold-ups and jams.
Integrated Care System (ICS)
A way of working that brings together the expertise of health and social care organisations, community groups and local charities to help people live well for longer. Waltham Forest is part of the North East London Health and Care Partnership. For further information see northeastlondon.icb.nhs.uk/about-us/about-nel-hcp/
Intensive Care (Treatment) Unit (ICU)
An ICU is a dedicated unit for intensive care of patients (level 3 care).
Intermediate Care
Nursing home, rehabilitation or home care services provided to ease the transition of the patient from hospital to home and from medical dependence to functional independence.
L
London’s Air Ambulance
London’s Air Ambulance is the only helicopter service in the capital providing emergency medical care. It operates from roof of Barts Health’s Royal London Hospital and can be at any point within the M25 in under 12 minutes. The red chopper can be seen on the roof of the Royal London when the Chingford to Liverpool Street London Overground train service stops at Bethnal Green station.
London Borough of Waltham Forest (LBWF)
Our local council offers social care services for adults and children including some residential care homes. There are also several Council committees with a health and social care focus including Adult Social Care Scrutiny, Health Scrutiny and the Health and Wellbeing Board. Scrutiny committees were introduced in the Local Government Act 2000. See www.walthamforest.gov.uk
M
Mammography
A special x-ray examination of breast tissue used in the early detection of breast cancer.
Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
The government agency which is responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices work, and are acceptably safe. The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care. Find out more at www.mhra.gov.uk
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Scanner
A scanner that produces images of parts of the body by the use of strong magnetic field and electromagnetic waves.
MRSA
Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an infection that is resistant to most common antibiotics. MRSA bacteraemia means that patients have MRSA in their bloodstream which can be life threatening.
Multidisciplinary Team (MDT)
MDT is a group of professionals drawn from various disciplines within the Trust that combine their expertise for the benefit of patients.
N
Neonatology
The treatment and care of new-born babies.
Neurology
Neurological conditions affect the brain and spine and can have a significant impact on our daily lives causing physical, cognitive and communication problems. Examples include multiple sclerosis, epilepsy. Parkinson’s disease, Motor Neurone Disease. The Barts Health Neuroscience Service is a leading specialist centre that sees patients from London, Essex and further afield. See www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/neurosciences
NHS Number
This is a unique 10-digit number that is given to every baby at birth and is used as a NHS identifier for life. It is shown in a 3-3-4 format. You do not need to know your NHS number to use NHS services but it can be helpful. It is different to a hospital number, which is given to you by the hospital.
NHS 111
This service provides 24/7 access to non-emergency medical advice online and through a telephone helpline. The service allows individuals to report their symptoms and they are either given self-care advice by call handlers, or referred to medical staff or directed to treatment (provided by GP surgeries, pharmacies or urgent treatment centres, for example). In emergency cases, patients are advised to attend accident and emergency or NHS 111 may send an ambulance directly to the patient. Patients are also informed where to get general health information, where to get an emergency supply of medication and how to get a repeat prescription.
NHS e-Referral Service
This provides an easy way for patients to choose their first hospital or clinic appointment with a specialist. Bookings can be made online, using the telephone, or directly in the GP surgery at the time of referral.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
NICE was set up in April 1999 to decide which health treatments and technologies – from drugs to artificial hips – should be available on the NHS. Find out more at www.nice.org.uk.
Norovirus
Also known as winter vomiting virus or Norwalk virus. It is the most common cause of infectious gastroenteritis in England and Wales. It is present all year round but peaks in the winter months. Outbreaks are common in semi-closed environments such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools and cruise ships.
North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT)
NELFT provides an extensive range of integrated community and mental health services in Waltham Forest. It also provides various services in the London boroughs of Barking & Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge as well as in south west Essex, Kent and Medway. Its main base in Waltham Forest is the Jane Atkinson Health and Wellbeing Centre (on the old Thorpe Coombes Hospital site), 714 Forest Road, Walthamstow. See www.nelft.nhs.uk/services-waltham-forest for further information.
Nursing Home
A residential home that has qualified nursing staff available to provide nursing care.
O
Obstetrics
This concentrates on pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum (or postnatal) period which can last up to eight months after childbirth.
Ophthalmology
The treatment of eye diseases e.g. cataracts, glaucoma. Barts Health Eye Service is one of the leading centres for children’s cancers of the eye. It is the only centre in the south of England and (one of only two in the country) to operate a retinoblastoma service. Whipps Cross has an Eye Casualty service.
Oral and maxillofacial
The treatment of injuries, diseases or abnormalities that affect a person’s face, jaws, mouth, head and neck. Barts Health has a leading specialist and research centre.
Orthotics
The medical speciality that focuses on the production of orthoses which are externally applied devices to the body which helps paralysed people go about their daily lives.
Orthopaedics
The branch of surgery concerned with conditions affecting the skeleton. This includes knee surgeries, hand surgeries, hip replacement and spinal surgeries. The Barts Health Orthopaedic Centre offers a wide range of services including a specialist, frailty fracture clinic at Whipps Cross.
Out-of-Hours GP services
GP services provided outside of working hours e.g. late evenings (6.30pm to 10pm) and weekends. In Waltham Forest, this service is provided by the Waltham Forest GP Federation Network (WF GP FedNet). See wfgpfednet.co.uk
Outpatient
A patient who attends hospital for treatment, consultation and advice but does not require a stay in hospital.
P
Paediatrics
This relates to the branch of medicine dealing diseases that affect children. Barts Health offers a wide range of paediatric services.
Palliative Care
The care of patients whose disease is life limiting and is no longer curable, e.g. cancer, HIV/Aids and motor neurone disease. It takes into account the physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects of patient care, with the aim of providing the best quality of life and the best death for them. The Margaret Centre, based at Whipps Cross, is a 12-bed specialist palliative care unit and is the base for the Waltham Forest community palliative care team.
Pathology
The study of the causes and effects of disease or injury especially the branch of medicine that uses laboratory examination of samples of body tissue (e.g. skin, hair, nails, urine) for diagnostic purposes.
PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service)
PALS provide advice and support to patients, friends and carers, as well as resolving problems and giving information about the NHS. Barts Health has PALS teams at each of its hospitals. NELFT also has a PALS team. Find out more here.
Patient Transport Service (PTS)
The PTS transports patients with non-urgent conditions to and from hospitals and day care centres, and carries out non-urgent inter-hospital transfers. Patients must meet medical and other criteria to qualify for this service.
Perioperative medicine
This department, at Barts Health, provides a full range of anaesthetics and pain management for patients of every major surgical specialty, radiology, radiotherapy, cardiology, MRI and medical oncology.
Personal Social Services
Personal care services for vulnerable people, including those with special needs because of old age or physical disability and children in need of care and protection, which are provided through home care and home help services, social workers and residential care homes.
Phlebotomy
This is the practice of collecting blood from patients. GP blood tests are available at one of three community centres run by NELFT - the Silverthorn Medical Centre (Chingford), St. James Health Centre (Walthamstow) and the Langthorne Health Centre in Leytonstone. Blood tests for children aged between 1 and 9 are available at Whipps Cross Hospital. See www.nelft.nhs.uk/wf-blood-test
Podiatry
Also known as chiropody, this is the treatment of the disorders of the feet, ankle and lower limbs e.g. diabetic foot ulcers, plantar fasciitis. In Waltham Forest, the podiatry service is part of NELFT’s Waltham Forest Adult Community Services. See www.nelft.nhs.uk/services-waltham-forest-podiatry-service
Primary Care
Primary care services include GPs, dental services, opticians and pharmacies.
Primary Care Networks (PCNs)
PCNs are a group of GP practices that work together to provide a wider range of services to their patients. PCNs are a key part of the NHS long-term plan. In Waltham Forest, there are seven PCNs – Forest 8, Chingford E4, Forest Integrated Health, Walthamstow West, Central Walthamstow, Leyton Collaborative and South Leytonstone. See here for further information.
Primary Health Care Team
Professional staff working in or attached to general practices to provide a range of health care needs. Includes GPs and community nursing staff.
R
Radiotherapy
Uses high-energy x-rays (radiation) to destroy cancer cells.
Renal
The diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases including kidney transplants. Barts Health Renal Service is a leading specialist centre treating patients across North East London, Essex and surrounding areas. See www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/renal
Respiratory Medicine
Also known as pulmonology, this branch of medicine is concerned with diseases that affect our breathing. This includes mild conditions like the common cold, allergies and influenza to life-threatening diseases such as pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, tuberculosis, acute asthma, lung cancer and COVID-19. The Barts Health Respiratory Medicine Service offers a wide range of services including an Allergy Centre. See www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/respiratory. In Waltham Forest, NELFT run a community-based respiratory service who work closely with Integrated Care Teams, other NELFT services and Barts Health. See www.nelft.nhs.uk/services-waltham-forest-respiratory-service
Rheumatology
The branch of medicine that deals with conditions of the joints, bones, tendons, muscles and ligaments e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, back pain, lupus disease, osteoporosis. The Barts Health Rheumatology Service is the second largest in the country. See www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/rheumatology
Royal Colleges
Professional bodies that set and monitor professional standards for clinical services. There are royal colleges for anaesthetists, chiropractors, emergency medicine, general practitioners, nursing, occupational therapists, obstetricians and gynaecologists, ophthalmologists, paediatrics and child health, pathologists, physicians, podiatry, psychiatrists, radiologists, speech and language therapists and surgeons.
S
Secondary Care
Specialist care, typically provided in a hospital setting or following referral from a primary or community health professional.
Service User
An individual who uses, requests, applies for, or benefits from health or local authority services. They may also be referred to as a client, patient or consumer.
Social prescribing
Sometimes referred to as community referral, this is a means of enabling GPs, nurses and other primary care professionals to refer people to a range of local, non-clinical services or activities, such as lunch clubs and walking groups for example. This recognises that people’s health is determined primarily by social, economic and environmental factors addressing patients’ needs holistically and supporting individuals to take more control of their own health. See here for more information.
Stroke
A serious life-threatening medical condition that occurs when the supply of blood to the brain is blocked or cut off completely which prevents brain tissue from getting vital oxygen and nutrients. Barts Health has one of the leading stroke centres in the country with their survival rates amongst the best in the country. Around 11,000 Londoners suffer a stroke – about one an hour – and is the second leading cause of death in the capital.
T
Talking Therapies
Provides treatment and services to those people who are suffering from anxiety, depression, difficulty coping with daily life, stress etc. In Waltham Forest, this service is run by NELFT. See www.talkingtherapies.nelft.nhs.uk/waltham-forest-
Tertiary Care
Care of a highly specialist nature typically provided in regional centres.
Therapy Services
These are provided by ‘allied health professionals’ who include dieticians, hearing therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, podiatrists (chiropodists) and speech & language therapists.
Thoracics
This relates to conditions of the chest. Barts Thorax Centre have brought all their chest specialists under one roof. See www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/thorax
U
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
UKHSA replaced Public Health England in April 2021. It is responsible for protecting every member of every community from the impact of infectious diseases, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents and other health threats. It provides intellectual, scientific and operational leadership at national and local level, as well as on the global stage, to make the nation's health secure. It is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care. See www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency
Urology
The diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the kidneys, bladder and male genitalia. These include various cancers – prostate, testicular, renal and bladder as well as other conditions like urinary tract infections, erectile dysfunction, male infertility, stone disease and continence. See www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/urology
W
Walk-In Centres
Nurse-led drop-in centres managed by the NHS that provide minor treatments, self-help advice and information on the NHS, social services and other local healthcare organisations.
Whipps Cross University Hospital
Our local hospital, run by Barts Health, located in Leytonstone, provides a full range of general inpatient, outpatient and day care services such as urology, ENT, audiology, cardiology, colorectal surgery, cancer care and acute stroke care as well as maternity services and a 24-hour A&E and urgent care centre. See www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/whipps-cross
