Welcome to the South East London Community Cardiology Service, delivered by Xyla. We provide a range of heart monitoring tests across Lambeth. This page will help you understand what to expect from your appointment, how to prepare, and where to find further support.
Xyla are an independent healthcare provider commissioned by the South East London Integrated Care Board to deliver a range of diagnostic services in the borough of Lambeth. These include:
Our services are delivered from local GP practices across Lambeth. For information on specific locations, please see the site details below.
Your test will be performed by one of our experienced cardiographers at the clinic. Cardiographers are specially trained technicians who focus on fitting the equipment and ensuring the test is carried out correctly and comfortably.
Once your test is complete, the data will be reviewed and analysed by our remote team of qualified Cardiac Physiologists or Healthcare Scientists.
If you have any questions about your health beyond the test itself, please speak to your GP. Your GP will also share your results with you and explain what they mean for your overall health.
You may be seen by either a male or female member of staff. If you have a preference, please let us know when booking your appointment. We may not be able to accommodate requests made on the day, which could lead to your appointment being rescheduled.
Please note, we are unlikely to be able to provide a chaperone. However, you are welcome to bring a family member or friend with you for support if you wish.
A 12-lead ECG is a simple, painless test used to check the rate and rhythm of your heart. It helps identify signs of heart conditions by recording the electrical activity of your heart.
The British Heart Foundation has created a short video explaining ECGs and what to expect:
Understanding an ECG. They also offer tips on how to keep your heart healthy.
An Ambulatory ECG monitors your heart’s rate and rhythm over a specified period. During your clinic visit, three electrodes (similar to sticky plasters) will be placed on your chest and connected to a portable ECG monitor. These electrodes detect the electrical signals from your heart, which are then recorded by the monitor. The monitor can be clipped to your belt or worn around your neck.
The British Heart Foundation has created short video explaining the procedure: Understanding an ECG and also has further information on their website about ECGS https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/tests/ecg and also how to keep your heart healthy www.bhf.org.uk.
Learn more about blood pressure by visiting the British Heart Foundations website:
We rent space within local GP practices. Each practice reception will have a list of patients due to see our team each day. The practice receptionists will check off your name from their list and then ask you to take a seat in the waiting area. Our cardiographer (dressed in blue scrubs with the Xyla logo) will come and call you from the waiting area. Sometimes our appointments do over run due to unforeseen circumstances, and we do sincerely apologise for any delays.
If you have any concerns about your appointment or have been delayed for more than 15 minutes, please contact our team at 020 7713 2756 option 2 for cardiology who will be happy to assist you.
How long will an ECG take?
The whole test takes a few minutes and is completely painless. You will need to lie still as moving can affect the results.
When is an ECG used?
An ECG is often used alongside other tests to help diagnose and monitor conditions affecting the heart.
What can an ECG show?
An ECG can help detect problems with your heart rate or heart rhythm. It can help doctors tell if you’re having a heart attack or if you’ve had a heart attack in the past.
An ECG is usually one of the first heart tests you will have. It does have some limitations, so often you will have one or more other tests too. An abnormal ECG reading doesn’t always mean there is something wrong with your heart.
How do I prepare for the test?
You don’t need to do anything special to prepare for the test – you can take all your medication as normal. You can eat and drink as normal. However, we do ask you refrain from placing moisturiser on your skin on the morning of the test. The reason for this is, it interferes with how well our electrodes stick to your skin making the ECG poorer in quality.
Before the electrodes are attached, you will usually need to remove clothing from your top half, and your chest will be wiped with an alcohol wipe. This is to remove any oils from the surface of your skin
If you have hair on your chest we may need to shave your chest.
Once the electrodes are in place, you will be offered a gown or paper towel to cover yourself.
How long will it take?
The ECG monitor will take around 10 minutes to fit but you will be asked to wear the monitor home and keep it attached for the indicated time ( usually 24, 4.
What should I do whilst wearing the monitor?
You will be asked to carry on with your normal day to day activities whilst wearing the monitor. However, you will not be able to have a bath or shower as the monitor is not waterproof. If you are wearing the monitor for more than 48 hours, you will be shown how to remove and reattached the monitor at your appointment to allow for a bath or shower. You will be asked to keep a diary of any symptoms and activities such as exercise and when you go to bed and wake up again.
Please handle the monitor with care throughout the monitoring period. Avoid exposing it to water, extreme temperatures, or physical damage. In the unfortunate event that the monitor is lost or damaged, please contact our team immediately at the same number. Promptly reporting the issue to us will allow us to take necessary steps to address the situation and minimize any inconvenience.
How do I remove the monitor?
During the appointment to have the monitor fitted, the staff member will provide you with clear instructions on how to remove the monitor before returning it to the practice.
To remove the monitor, simply peel the adhesive electrodes from your skin. Once removed, place the monitor into the provided envelope along with your diary card. This ensures that the monitor and your recorded data are safely returned for analysis.
How do I return the Ambulatory ECG Monitor?
The staff member will inform you of the specific time and location for returning the monitor. It is crucial to adhere to this schedule, as failing to return the monitor on time may result in the cancellation of another patient’s appointment. If you are unable to return the monitor yourself, a friend or family member may do so on your behalf. Should you anticipate any difficulties in returning the monitor, please contact our team at 020 7713 2756, selecting option 2 for cardiology.
In the unfortunate event that the monitor is lost, please contact our team immediately at the same number. Promptly reporting the loss will allow us to take necessary steps to address the situation and minimise any inconvenience.
Are there any risks or side effects?
An Ambulatory ECG is a quick, safe, and painless test. No electricity is put into your body while it’s carried out.
There may be some slight discomfort when the electrodes are removed from your skin – like removing a sticking plaster – and some people may develop a mild rash where the electrodes were attached. If you are experiencing discomfort, please reach out to our team on 020 7713 2756, selecting option 2 for cardiology.
If you would like to speak to someone about the appointment you have booked please contact us on 020 7713 2756 option 2 for cardiology.
Your feedback is really important to us and helps improve our service. Please click the following link and select Lamberth Cardiology to fill out our online survey. Alternatively, you will be offered a paper copy of our survey at your appointment.
www.pickerhwa.org/xylaelectivecare
Please note the above is an anonymous survey, if you would like to give more detail and have a response to your feedback, please consider emailing us at:
Concerns about the service you received.
Please call our main company number 020 7713 2756 (option 2 for cardiology) or email us at clinicalcare@xylaservices.com this will allow us to investigate your complaint and feedback to you on the action taken.
Interim Director of Diagnostics
Head of Clinical Operations
Community Diagnostics Service Manager
Lead ECG Reporting Physiologist
Lead Cardiographer
Cardiographer
Cardiographer
Xyla is a trading name of ICS Operations Ltd (Registered No 4793945), Pulse Healthcare Limited (Registered No 3156103), Carehome Selection Limited (Registered No 3091598), Independent Clinical Services Limited (Registered No 4768329) and CHS Healthcare Software Limited (Registered No 11582111)