You’ll be contacted a week before your procedure to go through any fasting instructions, what you should bring and your admission time. This may include:

• Any specimens that you have been asked to provide such as a urine sample
• Any medicines that you are currently taking on prescription, over the counter, herbal or homeopathic remedies, or any medicines that you only take when you need to, such as indigestion tablets or painkillers. It is important that you bring all medicines in their original packaging
• Your dressing gown, slippers and comfortable clothing including shoes for wearing indoors and outdoors
• Toiletries, tissues, wet wipes and sanitary towels if appropriate. Bath and hand towels are provided
• Books and magazines or a personal tablet such as an iPad for your own entertainment. There can sometimes be extended periods of waiting in hospital
• The name and telephone number of a relative or friend who will be driving you home after your operation

If you’re a day case patient, your nurse will give you an indication of your discharge time so that you can arrange for someone to drive you home. You should also ensure that someone can stay with you overnight following your procedure, otherwise your operation will have to be cancelled.

If you’re staying overnight, please make sure that someone is available to pick you up. Your nurse will advise you, on the day of discharge, when to expect to be discharged.

You may wish to self-isolate for three days before your procedure/operation to reduce the risk of catching COVID-19.

If you're unable to do this, we recommend that you maintain good hand hygiene practices and carry out social distancing for three days leading up to your procedure for your safety and to minimise the risk of post-operative complications, should you develop COVID-19 immediately following your surgery

You should arrive at the time detailed on your confirmation letter and report to Main Reception who’ll advise you where to wait.