Most of our inpatient care is provided in ward 6, on the ground floor of the Woman and Children’s building. However, following surgery you may be looked after in our ambulatory care ward which is located on the first floor of the main hospital building.
Before your operation
Before surgery you will have an appointment at the pre-operative (or pre-op) clinic for a health check. The main reason for this visit is to make sure you are suitable for an anaesthetic. You will also receive fasting instructions, advice regarding what to bring to hospital, wound care and advice around which of your medications to continue and which medication will needed stopped prior to surgery.
You will find information on improving your health prior to surgery below. This is called “prehabilitation” and can reduce your risks of surgery and improve your recovery following surgery.
On the day of surgery you will be greeted at the ambulatory care reception. We will perform some preoperative checks and obtain your written consent for surgery. This will be done by the surgical team. There will be time to ask questions and have a discussion with the operating surgeon and the anaesthetist prior to signing your consent form.
After your operation
Following surgery you will be cared for in the recovery area before returning to the ambulatory care unit. Your surgeon will guide you as to the length of hospital stay to expect.
Before discharge, staff will explain:
- What to expect during your recovery
- Pain relief and medication advice
- Wound or stitch care
- When to seek help
- Follow-up appointments
If you feel unwell or have concerns after you go home, contact:
- Ward 6 (24 hours): 01324 566 390
- Your own GP
- NHS 24: 111 (out of hours advice)
