Pre-assessment

Before your operation you will be sent a pre-assessment appointment with a specially trained nurse. If you have complex medical issues or problems with anaesthetics before, you may also be asked to have an appointment with a pre-assessment anaesthetic consultant.

It is really important that you attend appointment as this is how we check that you are physically fit for the surgery and anaesthetic. The nurse will record your medical history, medicines and allergies as well as asking you about previous anaesthetics you may have had. They may request general routine investigations such as blood tests, an ECG, as well as checking for specific infections such as MRSA.

You will receive important information about your operation and the type of anaesthetic you may expect to have. You may be given specific instructions regarding medications you are taking.

You will have the opportunity to ask any questions. This can be daunting so we have provided a simple way of ensuring you get the most out of the appointment, ensuring you understand the benefits, risks, alternatives and what would happen if you did not have the surgery.

For some operations you may be asked to take a sugary (carbohydrate) drink the night before and the morning of surgery. These drinks can be safely taken up to two hrs before your anaesthetic. They reduce the effects of starvation on your body and help it cope better with the stress of surgery. This helps you recover quicker.

Further information can be found on our Pre-operative Assessment Unit page here.