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Step 2:   Surgery

All patients are admitted on the day of surgery directly to the Pre Surgery area.  Pre-surgery will aim to phone you two days prior to your surgery, to give you a few details such as what time to come in and when you can eat and drink.

You will be admitted about 2 hours before your planned operation time, and during this interval the pre surgery staff will go through some last minute preparations and you meet your Surgeon and Anaesthetist.

Personal belongings are packed up by the nurses and taken to the ward where you will be spending the next few days.

Immediately following surgery you will be moved to the Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU) where you will recover from your anaesthetic.  This will usually be between 2-4 hours, after which you will be moved to either Oaks or Derby ward for the remainder of you stay.

Patients with complex medical needs may stay in PACU for longer, where they are looked after by specialist nurses. Our PACU is fully equipped for HDU and ITU care.
 
If you are unwell prior to your surgery (e.g. coughs, colds, sore throat) or you have a change in medication or your symptoms improve and you are not certain you require surgery anymore, you need to inform us immediately.  Please phone either Pre-Theatre (01372 735 870) or Pre-Assessment (01372 735 450) to discuss.
 
You are also required to contact the centre if you suffer any injury prior to your surgery e.g. any cuts, sores, insect bites or open wounds anywhere on your body. It is important you do this as soon as possible as any of the above could lead to your surgery being cancelled on the day due to increased risk of infection in your new joint.
 
Please bring your completed Helping Us To Help You (HUTHY) booklet to your pre-assessment appointment. If you forget to do this please bring it in on admission or send it by post as soon as possible. The Discharge team will review the information you have given and, if necessary, contact you to discuss any concerns you may have expressed.