We appreciate that for many people, being a patient in hospital is an unfamiliar experience, which can be a source of concern. Throughout your stay at The McIndoe Centre you will be in the care of skilled professionals, committed to providing you with the best possible treatment.

In order to prepare you for your forthcoming stay at The Mclndoe Centre, and answer some of your questions, we have produced this guide to help you through your admission and to give you some idea of what to expect.

1. Becoming a patient: Initial consultation

Before your treatment, you will have a one-to-one consultation where your surgeon will advise you, listen to your concerns and discuss what you want to achieve. The risks and benefits will be outlined to you and we will talk about the length of stay needed for your procedure. This is also the opportunity to discuss any pre-existing medical conditions that you may have. It is a good idea to make a note of the questions you would like to ask and bring them with you to your consultation.

Please be aware if you decide to book a consultation with any of our consultants, we may require your BMI in advance for safety reasons. Your BMI must not be higher than 40 to be able to have your procedure with us. If you are unsure of your BMI score, please use the calculator below.

BMI calculator

2. Second Consultation

In keeping with our ethos of providing excellent patient care, we advise a second visit to consult with your surgeon prior to any procedure. This allows you more time to be certain that you have made the right choice about surgery and have no further questions.

3. Pre-assessment

Following your consultations, we advise that you take time to process all aspects of your procedure. The hospital will contact you if we feel you should be medically assessed. This is a health check to ensure that you can safely have the operation.

At this stage, please inform us of any specific individual needs you may require, such as assistance with mobilisation or hearing, so we can plan your stay accordingly.

4. Treatment letter

After your consultant has booked you into The McIndoe Centre, the Admissions Department will provide you with written confirmation of your admission.

This letter will include the following information:

  • The time you are due to arrive at the hospital
  • Restriction on eating and drinking appropriate to your procedure
  • A registration form for your completion and return to us
  • A medical questionnaire for your completion and return to us
  • A pre-paid envelope
  • Any relevant patient advice leaflets providing information regarding your procedure

5. Before you arrive

You will need to:

  • Follow your fasting/starving instructions
  • Reduce or stop smoking prior to admission and during your stay
  • Remove all nail varnish; ‘extensions’ from your fingers and toes
  • Shower or bath prior to admission but do not apply any body lotions, skin creams or facial make-up.

6. When you arrive

Please arrive as close to the admission time given, as this minimises delay and helps ensure a speedy transfer to your room. You have been asked to attend the hospital a little earlier than your scheduled operation in order to allow time for necessary preparation by your consultant, anaesthetist and nursing staff. The catering staff will also take an order for a light post-operative meal from you.

7. During your stay

Shortly after being shown to your room, a member of our nursing team will complete your personal admission assessment. The nurse will discuss your individual requirements with you and assist you with the necessary preparations. You will also meet the consultant and anaesthetist, who will ask you to sign a consent form.

The nurse will check your pulse, blood pressure, and temperature and ask you to provide a urine sample for analysis. You will be asked if you have any allergies and be given an identity band to wear.

8. Going to theatre

General anaesthetic procedure

You will be asked to change into a theatre gown, wear anti-embolism stockings and remove any make-up. On arrival, the nurse will hand over all relevant information to the theatre staff.

Local anaesthetic procedure

In some instances it is normal practice to wear a theatre gown over your clothes eg, for ophthalmic surgery patients.

9. Post-surgery

General anaesthetic procedure

Post-operatively, you will be cared for in the recovery area of the operating theatres and then returned to your room. There will be a period of close observation and your nurse will record your blood pressure and pulse at regular intervals.

Pain management

Making sure that pain is well controlled is vital to your recovery. Your pain score will be regularly assessed and the appropriate pain relief will be given. You will also take a supply of pain killers home with you and must take them regularly for the first 24 -48 hours even if you are not in pain.

10. Going home

Your consultant will tell you when you are ready to go home and will advise you of your post-operative instructions. A certificate for work can be arranged by your nurse.

You will be given a discharge summary to hand to your GP outlining the nature of the procedure performed, the drugs you have been prescribed and any follow – up treatment or appointments that you may require.

A follow-up phone call is made to all day patients, approximately 24 hours following discharge, by a member of the ward nursing staff. This call is made so that patient progress/recovery can be monitored and any questions can be answered by the nurse.

If you have any concerns or queries following discharge please phone the hospital on 01342 488055 and ask for the ward who can advise and/or liaise with your consultant.

News and articles

We offer a range of news and blog articles to enable people to make more informed decisions when it comes to the treatments we have at The McIndoe Centre.