WHAT IS PRE-OPERATIVE ASSESSMENT? Information Leaflet Your Health. Our Priority. www.stockport.nhs.uk Surgical and Critical Care | Stepping Hill Hospital Page 2 of 5 What is pre-operative assessment? Pre-operative assessment is a clinic that you visit for a ‘health check’ before your operation. You may be asked to attend pre-operative assessment immediately after you have been listed for surgery or alternatively you may wish to make a more convenient appointment. Please speak to the receptionist on arrival at Magnolia Suite. How long is the appointment? Your assessment may take from half an hour up to 3 hours, dependent upon what type of surgery you are having and dependent upon any investigations that may need to be carried out during your assessment. What happens during the appointment? You will see a qualified nurse, who will check your medical history and order any appropriate investigations to ensure you are as fit as possible prior to your operation. You will be asked a lot of different questions about your health and any health problems you may have. You should inform the nurse of any current medication you are taking, preferably by bringing in a repeat prescription list from your doctor. Your blood pressure and pulse will be checked and blood and urine samples may be taken. You may also have other tests for example, an x-ray or ECG (heart tracing). This will depend on your health and the type of operation you need. A nurse will also listen to your heart and lungs. What information will I be given? The nurse will explain what will happen when you come into hospital for your operation. At your assessment, plans will be made for your admission to one of our day case facilities or an inpatient ward. The nurse will explain which is appropriate for you and for how long you can expect to stay in hospital. You will be asked about any plans you have made for when you go home. You will also have a chance to discuss with the nurse if you think you will have problems. You may be asked to complete certain questionnaires; please complete these and hand them in to reception before you leave the department. It is important that you understand your operation and what will happen to you in hospital. Please ask for more information if you need it and make sure all your questions have been answered. www.stockport.nhs.uk Surgical and Critical Care | Stepping Hill Hospital Page 3 of 5 Waiting for surgery Following your pre-op assessment if you are fit, ready and able to come in (as per Patient Access Policy) you will be placed on a waiting list for surgery. If for any reason you are not able to attend for your operation in the near future you must inform the pre-operative assessment nurse. Very occasionally you will be given a date for surgery before leaving hospital, where this is not possible you will be contacted by a waiting list officer in due course. Please do not contact the pre-op team regarding your date for surgery. For Your Information Your Consultant is: …………………………………………………………………………… Your Hospital Number is: …………………………………………………………………. You may be asked for this information when you call. If  you move house or change telephone number  you are unavailable for surgery at any time, e.g. holidays.  you decide you no longer wish to go ahead with surgery.  you have any queries regarding the date of your operation. You must contact your waiting list officer. Your waiting list officer is: ………………………………………………………………… And they can be contacted on: ………………………………………………………… If        you are admitted to hospital for any reason you have to see your GP with a new problem you change doses of any of your medication you start any new medication your symptoms change or resolve you have any queries about your surgery you suffer from a cough, cold or any other type of minor illness or infection in the 2 weeks prior to your admission. You must contact your named pre-admission nurse. Help to stop smoking before your operation? If you smoke and would like to help to stop before your operation please speak to your GP or Practice Nurse, or call Quitline, the National telephone helpline for smokers who need advice or help to stop on 0800 002200. www.stockport.nhs.uk Surgical and Critical Care | Stepping Hill Hospital Page 4 of 5 Contact Us To contact the Preoperative Assessment Team, contact 0161 419 5684 or 0161 419 4239, and ask for your named nurse. Your named nurse is: ………………………………………………………………………. If you do not let us know about any of these things, your surgery could be delayed or cancelled. www.stockport.nhs.uk Surgical and Critical Care | Stepping Hill Hospital Page 5 of 5 If you would like this leaflet in a different format, for example, in large print, or on audiotape, or for people with learning disabilities, please contact: Patient and Customer Services, Poplar Suite, Stepping Hill Hospital. Tel: 0161 419 56Information Leaflet8. Email: PCS@stockport.nhs.uk. Our smoke free policy Smoking is not allowed anywhere on our sites. Please read our leaflet 'Policy on Smoke Free NHS Premises' to find out more. Leaflet number Publication date Review date Department Location www.stockport.nhs.uk SUR79 April 2014 April 2015 Surgical and Critical Care Stepping Hill Hospital Surgical and Critical Care | Stepping Hill Hospital