Day surgery patients are pre-assessed for their suitability for day surgery before their admission date. Patients may have other medical conditions that need to be investigated prior to their surgery, and this is carried out by the pre-assessment nurse. We maintain telephone contact on the first day after surgery, and patients may attend the unit for follow-up care, e.g. dressings or removal of sutures.

• Breast, urology, head and neck, gastrointestinal, sarcoma, melanoma, gynaecology and plastic surgery patients
• Interventional radiology
• Eight single-trolley bays, NHS and private patients
• Day surgery, inpatient and private patient pre-surgical assessment

All private patients are pre-assessed prior to their inpatient surgery.

Nursing on the Day Surgery Unit

Nursing staff on the Unit are specialised in the care of patients needing day surgery. This includes pre- and post-operative care, pre-assessment, and nurse discharge. They are specialised in anaesthesia, post-operative recovery, and the management of pain and nausea. Nurses are trained in the extended roles of venepuncture, intravenous drug administration, ECGs and wound care.

Nurses coordinate the pre-assessment of patients in the clinic. They liaise with the consultant anaesthetist and organise pre-operative medical tests. Nurses maintain patient caseloads, and follow up medical test results after pre-assessment clinics.

For more information

To find out more about nursing on the Day Surgery Unit, please contact Sue Broom, Sister, on sue.broom@rmh.nhs.uk.