Before your appointment
- If you have any questions, please write them down and bring them with you, so the nurse can answer them.
- Also bring a list of all the medications that you currently take, including their strength and how often you take them
- You can eat, drink and take your medications as normal on the day of your appointment.
- As you may have a physical examination, women may wish to wear separates, e.g. a top and trousers/skirt.
Changing or cancelling your appointment
Please tell us as soon as possible so we can offer your appointment to another patient. Contact us using the telephone numbers at the top of the page.
This appointment is important preparation for your surgery. You must come to this appointment or let us know if you need to cancel or change it.
At your appointment
The nurse will ask you about your general health, fitness and previous operations and illnesses. The assessment may involve:
- blood pressure, pulse, temperature and/or respiratory rate measurements
- blood tests
- a urine test (to test for infections, which must be treated before you can have surgery)
- swabs being taken for MRSA (methecillin resistant staphylococcus aureus) a type of bacteria that can cause infections. Any infection must be treated before you can have surgery
- an electrocardiogram (ECG). This is a way of recording the rate, rhythm and electrical activity of your heart. It's a simple test that does not cause any discomfort or pain. Please note that you will need to partially undress for this test
- recording your height and weight
- a physical examination, so you may need to partially undress and lie down on the examination couch. This examination will be performed by the doctor, who will listen to your heart and lungs
At Pre-Operative Assessment you may also see a doctor who will ask about your health and explain your operation to you. The doctor may ask you to sign a consent form if not already completed in the Out-Patients department. This is a form that will clearly state what operation you are planning to have done. Please read the consent form carefully before signing it. If the consent form is not completed at this appointment, it will be completed when you come into hospital.
The doctor may examine you and ask you further questions. This is a good time to ask the doctor any questions or raise any concerns you have about your operation. It’s a good idea to write your questions down before you come for your appointment so that you don’t forget them.
Once these tests have been completed, you will be able to leave. The results will be checked later.
If clinically necessary the pre-operative nurse may refer you to an Anaesthetist for further investigation.
After your appointment
- If we find that you have problems that we were not aware of, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, you will need to visit your GP for treatment.
- If further tests are needed, the pre-assessment nurse will refer you to the relevant hospital department or your GP.
Other tests that may be necessary include
- CPET testing
- Echocardiogram
- Spirometry/Pulmonary Function test
