Your operation

Your nurse will discuss with you details of your operation/treatment and discharge arrangements. You will be asked to change into a hospital gown and your blood pressure will be checked.

An anaesthetist will also check your medical history.

Before you have your operation you will be asked to sign a consent form. A copy of the consent form will be given to you. The doctor will discuss your operation with you before you sign the form. Please raise any concerns you have about your operation during this discussion. 

In the interests of your personal safety you will be asked to wear an identity bracelet during your stay on the ward. Please check that the details are correct. 

You will come back to the ward / unit on a trolley. A nurse will make you comfortable and may record your pulse and blood pressure. Your friend or relative may sit with you if you wish. When you are more alert you will be offered some light refreshment.

Only when you are fully recovered will you be discharged home. If you have had a general anaesthetic, the minimum time before discharge will be about three hours. This may be sooner if you have had a local anaesthetic.

The nurse looking after you will tell you about what to expect over the next few days and will give you some information about your operation and appropriate after-care. You will also be given any painkilling tablets that you need together with a letter for your GP.  Please be aware you may have to pay the current prescription charge.

Most day patients are discharged after a few hours' rest but if for some reason you are not fit to go home then arrangements will be made for you to be admitted to a ward in the hospital.

If you are an inpatient your consultant and other doctors in their team will visit you regularly to discuss your treatment. You may wish to make a note of any questions you want to ask.