BEFORE SURGERY
On the day of your procedure
Your hospital will provide specific instructions about when to arrive and where to go. Please follow the fasting and medication instructions you have been given and allow enough time for admission and preparation before your procedure.
What happens on the day will vary slightly between hospitals and procedures, but the general process is similar.
Before leaving home
A few simple checks before leaving home can help your admission proceed smoothly.
01
Fasting
Follow the fasting instructions provided for your procedure. Do not eat or drink outside these instructions.
If you have accidentally eaten or drunk something when you should have been fasting, let the hospital team know when you arrive.
03
What to bring
Bring any information requested by the hospital, including an up-to-date list of your medications.
If relevant, bring medications or medical devices you have specifically been asked to bring, such as inhalers or CPAP equipment.
02
Your medications
Take or withhold your usual medications according to the instructions you have been given.
If you are unsure about any medication, particularly blood thinners or medicines for diabetes or weight loss, contact the hospital or my rooms for advice rather than making changes yourself.
04
Getting home
If you are expected to go home on the same day, make sure you have made appropriate arrangements for transport home and support afterwards.
If you are staying in hospital, your care will continue on the ward after your procedure.
When you arrive at hospital
There are several steps before your procedure begins. These allow the hospital and anaesthetic teams to prepare you safely for your procedure.
The hospital team will confirm your details and complete the admission process. You may be asked about your health, medications, allergies and when you last ate or drank.
You may be asked some of the same questions more than once. This is a normal part of the safety checks performed by different members of your healthcare team.
You may be asked to change into a hospital gown and remove items such as jewellery, depending on your procedure and the hospital's requirements.
Your observations may be checked and other preparation completed as required for your procedure.
Before your procedure begins, the healthcare team will confirm important information including your identity and the procedure you are having.
These checks may be repeated at different stages as part of routine hospital safety procedures.
Before your procedure begins, the healthcare team will confirm important information including your identity and the procedure you are having.
These checks may be repeated at different stages as part of routine hospital safety procedures.
The time you are asked to arrive at hospital is not necessarily the time your procedure will begin.
Operating lists can change during the day, so there may occasionally be a longer wait than expected. Please continue to follow your fasting instructions while you are waiting unless the hospital team tells you otherwise.
Your arrival time is not your procedure time
The hospital may ask you to arrive well before your planned procedure to allow time for admission, preparation and assessment.
Please arrive at the time requested by your hospital, even if you have been given an approximate procedure time.