CUH Fit 4 Surgery Patient Journey
Link: https://youtu.be/N-l3umecZLg
Pre-operative assessment
Your pre-operative assessment involves:
- Assessing your fitness for anaesthetic and preparing you for surgery
- Past medical history and medication advice
- Pre-op tests – ECG’s, MRSA swabbing, Blood tests and / or urine.
- Collect incentive spirometer
More information can be found on our pre-assessment page.
Managing long-term conditions
Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP if:
You are worried about the management of any long term condition before your operation.
long standing medical conditions include:
- Diabetes
- Blood pressure
- Anaemia
- Heart, lung and other medical problems
- Anxiety and mental health
- Dental health
Preparing emotionally for surgery
- Surgery can be a stressful experience
- It is important not to emotionally isolate yourself
- Don’t expect too much too soon
- Don’t put your life on hold – It can be good to maintain your normal routine.
- Occupy your mind
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions
Mental health – Charities and apps
You can use the Hub of Hope (opens in a new tab) to search for mental health charities in your local area, or find one that can help with a specific problem. It’s run by Chasing the Stigma, a national mental health charity.
Further support and access to a free Mind Plan is available at NHS - Every Mind Matters (opens in a new tab).
What to bring
- Your medication
- Dressing gown
- Slippers
- Washbag
- Nightwear
- Comfortable loose fitting day wear
- Ear plugs / eye mask
- Mobile phone
Please note: space is limited - property securely stored on L2 and transferred to ward after surgery.
Day of admission
Admission time: Usually 7am or 11am.
Ward L2 (Day Surgery Unit)
Level 2 of the Addenbrookes Treatment Centre
Nil by mouth times
Food, drinks with milk and chewing gum – 5 hours pre-admission
Water – 1 hour pre-admission
Nutricia drinks
Nutricia drinks are carbohydrate based supplementary drink designed to assist your recovery. Some patients may be asked to take these before surgery.
Please note: Nutricia drinks are not suitable for diabetic patients.
Before you go to theatre
- Ask where you are on the list. Please remember list orders may change due to clinical conditions or other circumstances.
- You may have to wait some time before you go into theatre. Please be patient.
- You might want to bring in a book or music to pass the time.
- Your next of kin will be informed which ward you are going to after your operation.
Visiting
Visiting restrictions are constantly changing.
Check our most up-to-date visiting information prior to your admission.
Current restrictions
(Updated 20/09/22)
- 1 Family member / friend on the day of surgery
- Please do not visit if you have any Covid-19 symptoms or have tested positive for Covid-19 within 10 days
- We will allow two visitors at a time for patients in our adult inpatient and critical care wards, between the hours of 11:00-20:00 (with the exception of protected meal times). These visits do not have to be booked in advance.
- Visitors are encouraged to perform a lateral flow test on the day of their visit
- You may be asked to wear a face covering
Discharge planning
If you need more specialised care after leaving hospital we have a complex discharge planning team to help.
- Plan ahead – stock up your cupboards and freezer with easy to prepare meals
- Make sure you have made your environment easy to get around
- Ensure you have painkillers at home, such as paracetamol
- Arrange transport for your journey in to and home from hospital as soon as you know your surgery date.