Patients screened for herbal remedies

Research carried out by senior staff nurse Suzie Legge suggests a significant number of people may be taking over-the- counter remedies and supplements which could have serious interactions with certain anaesthetics used in theatre.

Suzie surveyed 1,000 patients attending the day surgery unit at Southlands and found 35 per cent were using some kind of herbal remedy, dietary supplement or vitamins and minerals.

She told the Herald: "We decided to find out the extent to which people are taking herbal remedies and vitamins.

"With more than one in three patients taking something, it is certainly an issue."

Suzie added: "We are now producing a patient information leaflet and we want to educate patients and staff."

Director of clinical services at Worthing and Southlands, Jeannie Baumann, said: "A lot of people don't think of these things as medicines because they can be bought over the counter.

"We want to draw people's attention to knowing about the variety of these herbal remedies available.

"It's not to say taking them is a negative thing.

"We just need people to understand the total picture of what they are taking so they can tell us."