Patient Info

Patient Info

Patient Info


If you are having a planned operation (rather than emergency) you will usually be directed to a pre-assessment clinic a few weeks or days before your surgery.

Staff at the clinic will assess your general health. You will be asked questions and a nurse or doctor may listen to your heart and lungs. Test will be ordered if necessary. This will often include blood tests and an ECG (heart tracing).

You are likely to be checked for certain important infections – usually by using a swab or your skin, or in your nose or throat.

The staff will want to make an accurate list of medicines you take. Please bring a list or the medicines themselves in their boxes.

If you are allergic to anything be sure to indicate those allergies.

If you may need a blood transfusion before, during or after your operation, a blood test will be needed to prepare for this. You can ask for information about the risks and benefits of blood transfusion. Blood transfusions are generally avoided unless necessary.

If you know you have high blood pressure, it is a good idea to bring a list of any recent blood pressure readings. This is because blood pressure can rise in a hospital, and this may not be a true picture of your usual blood pressure.