Check list of things to remember to bring with you on the day:
- Sleepwear
- Dressing Gown and Slippers
- Personal Toiletries
- You should bring all your current medication (including homeopathic and herbal medicines) with you with the original packaging and labels. Please also bring sufficient medication to lastthroughout your anticipated length of stay
- Any X-Ray and blood test results that you may have
If you are staying for a few days or longer you may prefer to bring casual clothing rather than stay in your sleepwear. Books or magazines may be useful and children may gain some comfort from their favourite toy. Patients undergoing hip or knee surgery are advised to bring shorts, a loose skirt, trousers or a track suit, together with comfortable shoes to wear during post-operative physiotherapy.
Please do not bring large sums of money, jewellery or valuable items. Please note the hospital cannot accept responsibility for items not secured in the hospital safe.
Your Admission
Your time of arrival will have been confirmed in your admission letter or by a telephone call. On the day of your admission, it is very important that you arrive prepared for your operation and in time to meet your surgeon and/or anaesthetist before the operating list commences. Please ensure that you have followed all guidelines regarding fasting for your procedure.
On arrival, please report to reception, where your admission details will be confirmed. Please be aware that your arrival time is not the time of your procedure. The team may be able to provide an anticipated time of your operation, however, this may be subject to change. Any further information will be provided by the nursing staff.
If you are having surgery, one of the nurses will check your blood pressure, respiratory rate, pulse and temperature, then do some final checks to ensure you are correctly prepared. You may be asked to confirm your personal details by all clinicians attending to you, prior to your operation. This is recommended practice for increased patient safety. An identity bracelet will also be put on your wrist and if you have any allergies, this band will be red in colour to alert the staff. Your surgeon and the anaesthetist will confirm your medical history and answer all of your remaining pre-operative questions.
Transport and Parking
Day case patient
If you are a day case patient, most day patients will spend approximately four hours post operatively with us (if local anaesthetic is used it may be less). Please ensure that a responsible adult is available to collect you.
Inpatient
If you are staying overnight or longer, we ask that you do not leave your car in the hospital car park for the duration of your stay; please arrange to be dropped off at the hospital and collected again on departure (you may find that you will be advised not to drive for a period of time following your stay).
Hospital Disabled Access
The hospital entrances and exits have been designed to enable easy access for wheelchairs. If you require the use of a wheelchair during your stay, either for yourself or visitors, please let the receptionist know either beforehand or on arrival.
Your Operation
Please ensure that you make all necessary preparations for your operation, including removing nail varnish, nail extensions and cosmetics. Plain wedding bands may be worn but will be covered with tape prior to surgery. It is requested that any other jewellery including body piercings are removed and kept safely at home or given to a relative for safe-keeping. Surgery is rarely cancelled, but please be aware that operations can occasionally be postponed. You will be accompanied to the theatre by a member of staff. If you are having a general anaesthetic you will wake up in the recovery area and will be looked after by a recovery nurse/practitioner before returning to your room.
Your accommodation
Daycase
Depending on your procedure, you may be admitted in to one of our state of the art daycase pods or one of our fully equipped private patient bedrooms. Rest assured your comfort is always our priority.
Inpatient
You will be admitted in to your en-suite private patient room, where you will be advised how the equipment in your room functions, including the nurse call system.
Meals and Dietary Requirements
Daycase
We provide light refreshments for all our private daycase patients, depending upon your procedure. Special dietary requirements can be catered for including vegetarian and those patients with any cultural or religious requirements.
Inpatient
A member of our catering staff will visit you daily to discuss your menu choices. All your meals are freshly prepared using healthy ingredients to aid your recovery.
Following surgery, your requirements may differ, so we can prepare tailored and light refreshments for you.
If you have specific dietary requirements, these will be catered for; including vegetarian, vegan and for those patients with any cultural or religious requirements.
Visitors
Friends and relatives are welcome to visit during your stay. As a private patient, you will have extended visiting hours, however, as there are certain clinical requirements on the ward, please check with your nurse regarding your visiting times. For security reasons please ask your visitors to report to reception on arrival and subsequently inform ward reception of their presence.
Information for relatives
Your friends and relatives may call for information about your progress. They should ask to speak to the nurse in charge of your care. We will not provide any sensitive information regarding your condition.
Smoking policy
Please note all hospitals operate a no smoking policy.
