Our Pre-operative assessment team aim to ensure that all patients are adequately prepared for elective surgery.  We have a nurse in charge on both sites and staff nurses/ODPs performing  assessments, healthcare assistants taking observations and administrators/reception staff. We work under the guidance of consultant anaesthetists and work closely with surgeons and GPs.

Patients will be either be sent an electronic health questionnaire once they are referred and accepted for surgery or will be contacted by our admin or booking teams and given an appointment in advance of surgery.

Patient Information

If you are having a general anaesthetic, you will be given an appointment (either by letter or telephone call) for a pre-operative assessment to ensure you are fit for surgery. A nurse or ODP will undertake a full medical history either during a face-to-face appointment or over the telephone. If you have a telephone assessment you may be asked to attend the department either before or after the appointment and a Health Care assistant will measure your height, weight and blood pressure.

Swabs are taken as all surgical patients require screening for MRSA to prevent cross infection and if undergoing surgery that requires an implantable device or material, screening for MSSA will be required. Other investigations may be ordered if needed such as an ECG (electronic recording of your heart), blood tests, Echocardiogram (scan) of heart and lung function tests. If you have a complex medical background, a consultant anaesthetic appointment may be necessary depending on the type of surgery you are having.

Please contact the appropriate pre-operative assessment clinic on the number above if:

• you are uncertain about what medicines to take before surgery
• you have MRSA additional information
• you become unwell after your pre-assessment or there are changes in your health /medication.

You maybe sent an electronic health questionnaire by text or by phone this will generate an appointment for you which you will receive by letter or telephone. If you do not receive an electronic health questionnaire you will be contacted by our admin or booking teams and given an appointment in advance of your surgery.