Women's Hospital pre-assessment information

You will be given information specific to your operation at your pre-assessment but for most women pre-assessment will follow the same format.

What is pre-operative assessment?

It is an assessment of your general health to make sure that you are fit enough to have both the anaesthetic and the operation. You should allow an hour for your appointment. You will be given information about your admission, planned surgery and discharge from hospital.

What will happen at the pre-operative assessment clinic?

  • A registered nurse who specialises in pre-operative assessment will see you 
  • The nurse will go through a health questionnaire with you to help assess your fitness for surgery

Will I have any tests done?

  • When you arrive you will have your height and weight checked
  • We will ask you for a sample of your urine for testing
  • This may include a pregnancy test
  • Your blood pressure will be checked as part of your health assessment
  • At this appointment you will also have blood tests done and you may require a tracing of your heart (ECG)
  • MRSA screening: this usually involves a nose swab and may be done if you fall within a high-risk category 

A nurse will explain to you in more detail about any tests you require.

If there are any problems with your blood tests or other samples, your pre-op nurse will contact you via telephone and advise you what to do next.

If you have health problems which may affect your anaesthetic, the pre-op nurse will discuss these with the anaesthetist. If further investigations are required you will be informed by the nurse and these will be organised for you. On some occasions, an anaesthetist may request to see you in clinic prior to your surgery. If this is the case, the nurse will inform you by telephone and arrange an appointment with you.

Do I need to bring anything with me?

Please bring with you a current list of your regular medications and the dose that you take.

This is also an opportunity for you to ask us any questions you may have about your admission, surgery or plan of care. It is important that you feel you can discuss any worries or concerns that you may have about coming into hospital.

Contact

If you have enquiries about your admission date or your pre-operative assessment appointment please call 0121 335 8122.