Preoperative Assessment Clinic Appointment

What to bring with you?

  • This is a clinic appointment, so you are able to eat and drink as normal before you attend your appointment.
  • Your appointment letter
  • A list or knowledge of current medication that you take, including their strength and how often you take them – your GP prescription should show this information clearly
  • Any samples that have been requested
  • A list of any relevant medical conditions or surgical procedures you have / have had
  • Questions you may have about your surgery or anaesthetic.
  • If you have a medical alert card or medical implant e.g. pacemaker, it is important to bring these details with you to show the nurse.

What happens at your appointment?

  • Your blood pressure, height and weight will be checked some of which may be undertaken by our Health Care Support Workers. You may also have other additional tests carried out as appropriate for example,
  • Swabs for MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus) a type of bacteria that can cause infections. Any infection must be treated before you can have surgery
  • Blood tests. You may be referred and asked to get bloods taken in our walk in Phlebotomy service located on Route 002.
  • A physical examination, so you may need to partially undress and lie down on the examination couch. This examination will be performed by the nurse, who will listen to your heart and lungs.
  • ECG (a tracing of the activity of your heart)
  • Pregnancy test if required
  • After your appointment
  • You may require a Urine test (to test for infections, which must be treated before you can have surgery).

If we find that you have problems that we were not aware of, such as high blood pressure or any other conditions, you will be referred back to your GP for treatment.

If further tests are needed, the Pre-Assessment nurse will refer you to the relevant hospital department or your GP.

In certain more complex cases you may be asked to attend a further appointment with one of our consultant anaesthetists who will be able to discuss your procedure, anaesthetic and risks in further detail as well as arranging any further tests or assessments that may need to be done.

What happens if I need an appointment to see the anaesthetist too?

If you are asked to attend a further appointment to see one of our consultant anaesthetists then this can sometimes happen on the same day or, more commonly, you may be asked to return another time.

The anaesthetist will review any health problems together with your medications and any tests you have already had. They will be able to talk to you in detail about any concerns you might have and will work with you to plan your anaesthetic and post-operative care and pain relief.

What is the difference between an LA and GA Procedure?

  • Local Anaesthesia – You will be awake for your procedure; you will only need to have an MRSA swab in preparation for your Procedure.
  • General Anaesthesia – You will be asleep for your procedure; you will need to undertake an MRSA swab, various blood tests and potentially a urine test. You will be provided with an information pack that will detail everything about the surgery, i.e. fasting, where you will need to go to on the day of your surgery etc.

On the day of your Surgery

You will need to attend the reception desk located in Arrivals Lounge (Route 201). You can access this by upon entering the Hospital from the Main entrance, proceed to follow the Outpatients route past the Taste café and use the Elevators (Lifts) and take this up to the 2nd floor.