Planned procedures and surgery

Information on what you need to do before coming into hospital for your procedure or surgery.

Planned procedures and surgery

If you are a patient and your procedure or surgery was postponed during the pandemic or you are waiting for an appointment or a date for treatment, we will contact you directly as soon as we can.

If you are worried about your health, or if your condition worsens, you should contact your GP or call NHS 111 for urgent care.   

Pre-assessment 

Your first assessment before your procedure or surgery will be either a telephone or video call with your care team.

Some patients may be asked to come to hospital for a specific investigation or test before their procedure or surgery. This could include:

• to see the anaesthetist
• to have tests to see if they carry specific bacteria, such as MRSA
• to have blood tests
• to have specific tests such as an ECG or an x-ray

If you need to come to hospital, we will explain why and provide information about how to prepare for your pre-assessment appointment.

Covid-19 testing before your procedure or surgery

The number of people testing positive for Covid-19 is reducing, and so we have recently updated and relaxed our Covid-19 testing guidelines, in line with national guidance.

You no longer need to do a lateral flow or PCR test before you come into hospital.

In some circumstances your doctor may still ask you to do a test, but this is very rare. This would be discussed with you before your admission to hospital. If you are asked to complete a test, please follow the instructions below.

Coming into hospital for your procedure or surgery

• If you feel unwell, for example you have flu or sickness or diarrhoea before your planned admission please contact your medical team for advice before you come into hospital.

• Check your clinic letter for details on where to go when you arrive. If you are not sure where to go, please ask for help or directions from the staff at the hospital entrance or the receptionists  

Can I bring someone with me to my appointment? 

Please visit the Trust website for the latest visiting guidance.

Consenting for your operation or procedure 

All patients must give their consent before they receive any type of medical treatment or operation.

• Find out how you will be asked to give consent using our digital application Concentric

Staying overnight in hospital

If you are staying overnight in hospital following your procedure or surgery, please only bring essentials with you.  
 
Find out more about staying overnight in hospital.

Same-sex accommodation

We aim to provide patients with same-sex accommodation. However, at very busy times, some of our wards have had to become mixed-sex, although we always try to keep individual bays as same-sex and ensure privacy at all times. The decision to change some wards to mixed-sex wards has been carefully considered – patient and staff safety remains our priority at all times. If you are worried about this, please speak to a member of staff. 

When you are ready to go home

We recommend that a friend, carer or relative collects you from the entrance of the hospital. If you need help to get to the entrance to meet them, one of our porters or nursing staff can support you. 

Depending on the type of procedure you had and your recovery, we may advise you to self-isolate after leaving hospital. This period of self-isolation is a precaution as your immune system will be working hard to help your body recover from the procedure or surgery you have had. 

Patient information

• Coming into hospital for a procedure or surgery
• Support while you wait for a procedure