All patients coming into hospital for planned surgery are required to attend a pre-operative assessment clinic. This service is led by specially trained registered nurses and located at Area 1, Outpatient Department, Forth Valley Royal Hospital.

The purpose of the clinic is to assess your general health and ensure you are as fit as possible before undergoing anaesthetic surgery.

Your appointment may be face-to-face, virtual (using Near Me over a computer screen), or by telephone. Please read your appointment letter carefully.

• If you already have a date for your surgery, bring this information with you. If not, you will receive a date in due course. Please note, surgery dates cannot be arranged at this clinic.
• It is important that you attend your pre-operative assessment. Failure to attend may result in your operation being cancelled and your name being removed from the waiting list.

Please note, the clinic sometimes runs late. Your patience is appreciated, and every effort will be made to keep you informed. 

Contact numbers: 01324 566464 / 01324 566413

What is Required from You

• Bring all your medication (including non-prescribed items such as herbal remedies or vitamins) to your appointment. This ensures you are prescribed the correct medication for your hospital admission. Some medications may need to be stopped before surgery; the nurse will advise you.
• If you have a medic alert card, medical implant, or advance directive/decision (previously known as a living will), please bring these with you.
• Bring your reading glasses and/or hearing aid if you need them.
• You may eat, drink, and take your medication before attending the clinic.
• Arrive on time for your appointment. If travelling by car, allow extra time for parking. If you are late, it may not be possible to see you and you may need to be rebooked.

Additional Information

• Where possible, please do not bring children with you.
• If you are elderly, use a wheelchair, or have a learning difficulty, it is helpful to be accompanied by a relative or carer.
• Friends or relatives are not allowed to interpret for you during your assessment. If you need an interpreter, please contact the clinic as soon as possible.
• The pre-operative assessment can take from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.
• During your assessment, the nurse will ask about your general health, medications, previous surgery/anaesthetics, next of kin, and home circumstances.
• You will have your height, weight, blood pressure, and pulse checked. You may also require an ECG (heart tracing), urine sample, and X-ray, depending on your surgery and medical history.
• You will be given information about your hospital admission and fasting instructions, which must be followed even if you are still waiting for a confirmed surgery time.

If Problems Are Found

If any problems are identified during your assessment or after test results, your surgery may be delayed. Further investigations may be organised, or you may be referred back to your GP to improve your health before surgery.