Device follow-up

We can now review a lot of the same information from your pacemaker or defibrillator from your home monitor as when we see you in our onsite clinic. For some patients, their specific settings will mean seeing us every year, but for some there is no benefit to you to see us onsite! We are happy to book you an onsite appointment if you have a particular problem, often after a discussion over the phone.

A remote transmission is where we take all the information from your cardiac device via either your home monitor or your mobile app. You may have to do this manually or it may be automatic – the full details are on each appointment letter you receive. Even if your transmission is automatic, you are sent a letter so you’re aware of when we take the information, and can reschedule if inconvenient.

We will only contact you following your transmission if there is a significant finding, otherwise – no news is good news! If we don’t receive your transmission successfully, we will either call you or send you a new letter for another appointment.

Unfortunately, we are unable to give any advice regarding medications. If you have a query, you would be best placed to contact either your cardiac consultant or your GP. We may, on occasion, contact either of these medical professionals if we feel they might be able to optimise your medications further.

Please contact us either via email or phone call, with the specific make/model details of the piece of machinery/equipment, and we will pass the query onto the manufacturer of your device. If you have a Medtronic device, you can call their helpline number, and they will be able to help directly with the query.

If your dentist has asked you to enquire about their equipment, please pass on our email address and ask them to contact us directly.

Please contact the manufacturer’s remote monitor helplines. All phone numbers can be found above.

This can be completely normal, and is often the monitor doing a software update or ‘checking in’ with your device. Please do not touch the home monitor if you see the lights come on.

Generally, this is not necessary. Our rule of thumb is that if you are going away for less than two weeks, then you don’t need to take your monitor, and don’t need to let us know. If you are going away for longer than two weeks, please call to discuss with us. In rare occasions, we may ask you to take your home monitor with you. If you need to turn your home monitor off at the plug socket when you go away, please ensure you remember to turn it back on when you get back!If you have an appointment that falls during the time of your holiday (onsite or via the home monitor), please call us to rebook your appointment for when you are back!

Yes! Please email or call us with your name, hospital number and date of birth, and we will be able to send you out a new ID card. This should be carried with you at all times. Please also provide your current address, so that we can post it out correctly! Email crm@uhs.nhs.uk

Please call the hospital switchboard (023 8077 7222) and ask to be put through to your specific consultant’s secretary.