Pre-Operative Assessment Clinic

The date of your surgery is provisional pending the outcome of your pre-operative assessment appointment. If you are deemed fit after your assessment then you will proceed to your planned admission date. If you do not already have this date then you will be contacted by your consultants scheduler.

The Pre-Operative Assessment Clinic will:

• Make sure that you are medically fit for your operation or procedure.
• Provide some information about your treatment and answer your questions about your admission.
• Carry out tests needed before your operation or procedure.
• Find out whether you will have special requirements during your stay, or when you leave hospital.

Following your outpatient appointment with the surgeon you will be asked to complete a health questionnaire. The nurses will undertake an initial screening including; checking your blood pressure and weight, height, and take swabs to check for MRSA which will help us plan your pre-operative appointment.

The screening helps us to determine if you need to see an anaesthetist, nurse, or healthcare coordinator. 

Your Pre Assessment appointment normally takes place 6-8 weeks ahead of your provisional date for admission. However, some patients will be asked to attend pre assessment without a planned date so you are confirmed as being fit or ready for surgery.

Your initial pre assessment appointment will be made via the telephone unless you are required to see an anaesthetist. You may be asked to attend the department following this appointment if further investigations are required.

Information regarding your surgical procedure is discussed with you by the surgeon at your outpatients appointment. Staff will be happy to discuss general questions regarding your admission, length of stay, and your return home after your operation. You may want to write down questions before you come to the pre assessment clinic so that you don't forget them when you arrive.

Your initial pre assessment appointment will be made via the telephone unless you are required to see an anaesthetist. You may be asked to attend the department following this appointment if further investigations are required.

Please bring with you some food and drink, something to read or some music to keep you occupied while you wait.

There are toilet facilities, a restaurant and free parking on site.

Tests on the day may include:

• Blood tests
• Heart tracing (ECG)
• X-ray
• Spirometry
• You will be seen by a nurse. Some patients may need to see an anaesthetist after seeing the nurse.

If you are taking any medicines, please bring these with you. If this is not possible, please bring a prescription sheet with you.

If there is any possibility that you may be pregnant, please tell the doctor or nurse.

If you are under the care of a doctor, for example a heart or chest doctor, and you have copies of clinic letters detailing your care / treatment / investigations, please bring them with you to your appointment.

If, during your pre-admission assessment we identify a reason why you may not have your operation or procedure, this will be discussed further with you.

Please visit this link - Patient guide to preparing for surgery on The Royal College of Anaesthetists website website for things you can do to prepare yourself for your operation

Following your Pre Assessment appointment, if there are any changes to your health or medication, you must contact and update the pre assessment team to ensure this will not affect your admission.

If you would like any further information, please contact the Pre-Operative Assessment Unit on 020 8909 5630.