Medical procedures

Blood transfusion

Donated blood is screened for blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis, syphilis and HIV.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Research has shown that electroconvulsive therapy doesn't cause brain damage because the amount of electricity used is too small to harm tissue.

In vitro fertilisation (IVF)

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is not one simple procedure, but a series of steps over several weeks.

Kidneys - dialysis and transplant

People with kidney failure need dialysis or a transplant to stay alive.

Placebo effect

Belief in a treatment may be enough to change the course of a person's physical illness.

Sclerotherapy - varicose and spider veins

Sclerotherapy is a treatment that involves injecting a solution into unwanted varicose or spider veins.

Urinary catheterisation

A urinary catheter can give a person control over their bladder and keeps them dry.