Ely DSU - Preparing for your local anaesthetic appointment

This leaflet gives information regarding how you should best prepare for your local anaesthetic on the day of your procedure.

Preparation

• It is not necessary to starve before having a local anaesthetic: please have a light meal before coming to hospital.
• If you are diabetic, please follow your normal routine regarding medication and food.
• You may bring a dressing gown and slippers.
• Make-up and nail varnish need to be removed before your appointment. Please leave all jewellery and body piercings at home.
• Please do not bring large sums of money with you.
• Please bring any medication such as GTN spray and inhalers with you.
• Please make sure you have a supply of paracetamol and ibuprofen tablets at home.

Please see map below for directions to the Princess of Wales Hospital. The day surgery unit is on the first floor and is well sign-posted.

What will happen on the day?

• When you arrive, you will meet the nurse who will check all your details.
• If you require a medical certificate please inform the nurse on arrival.
• Please be aware that your appointment time is not the time of your surgery and a wait will be involved.
• You will meet the surgeon, and, if you have not done so already, you will be asked to sign a consent form.
• Before your operation you may be asked to change into a gown but this will depend on the operation or procedure you are having.

After your procedure

• Post-operative instructions will be given to you before you leave the unit.
• Arrangements will be made for any follow-up treatment or appointment before you leave.
• You will be offered a drink and a light snack.
• Patients who have had limb surgery must not drive themselves home – if you do not have a lift home and cannot take public transport home your operation will be cancelled.
• It may be necessary, especially if you have limb surgery, for a relative or friend to assist you home.

If you experience any of the following complications once you are home we recommend that you speak with your GP urgently:

• Uncontrolled pain, feeling faint or dizzy.
• Severe nausea or vomiting.
• Bleeding, redness, swelling, bruising, discharge or pain from around the wound site.

For less urgent issues call NHS 111for advice or visit your local minor injuries units at the following locations:

• Call Princess of Wales Hospital, Ely on 01353 656675
• Call Doddington Hospital, Doddington on 01354 637078
• Call North Cambs Hospital, Wisbeach on 01945 468787

Directions to the Princess of Wales Hospital

The Princess of Wales Hospital, Ely, is approximately 15 miles north of Cambridge.

Contact details

• Call the Pre-operative assessment on 01223 216288
• Call the Ely Day Surgery Unit on 01353 652279 or 01353 652271