Pre-Operative Assessment

Before your operation, you'll usually attend a pre-operative assessment — an appointment with a nurse, either in person, by video, or over the phone. You'll be asked about your health, medical history and circumstances at home, and if a hospital visit is needed, some tests may be carried out, such as blood tests, urine tests, or checks for infections like COVID-19. This helps identify anything that might need addressing before surgery, or any special care you might need during or afterwards.

It's worth bringing details of any previous test results, along with a list of all medicines, vitamins and supplements you take. In the days leading up to your operation, you'll also need to sort out travel arrangements, think about what to bring with you, and let family or friends know in case they need to take time off to support you.

Arriving at Hospital

On the day, take any medicines you've been specifically asked to, and make sure you've discussed your regular medicines — such as tablets or insulin for diabetes — with your specialist well in advance. You'll be asked about any allergies, including to medicines or anaesthetic, so the right precautions can be taken.

If visitors are allowed, family or friends can usually stay with you until you go through to the operating theatre, after which they can wait for you elsewhere in the hospital. You'll be asked to change into a hospital gown, and the details of your operation will be explained to you before you go through. For many operations, a small needle connected to a drip is placed in your hand or arm ahead of time.

Let your surgical team know as soon as possible if you develop a cough, cold, or high temperature in the days before your operation, since this could affect whether it's safe to go ahead as planned.