Outpatients and day patients

The Surgical Day Care Unit at Hillingdon Hospital performs a variety of surgical and medical procedures caring for an average of 500 patients each month. More and more treatments and procedures are being offered to NHS patients as Day Cases - meaning no overnight stay in hospital is necessary and patients can rest and recuperate in their own homes.

Your appointment letter states the date and time of consultation and name of consultant or clinic. You can bring a friend or relative with you.

It is important that you confirm the acceptance of your admission date by phoning the unit two weeks prior to your admission. You will be able to negotiate a date for your operation before you arrive. If you are unable to keep your appointment or decide you no longer wish to have your treatment, or if you are unwell, please phone the Admissions Team.

For Morning (AM) Admissions:

• Have nothing to eat from midnight the night before you attend hospital
• You may drink water/tea or coffee before 6.30am but nothing after 6.30am
• Please do not drink anything else e.g. orange juice or milk.

For Afternoon (PM) Admissions:

• You may have a light breakfast – tea and toast (not cereals) before 7.30am on the day of your admission
• Do not eat anything after 7.30am
• You may drink water/tea or coffee before 10am but nothing after 10am
• Please do not drink anything else e.g. orange juice or milk.

Do not smoke on the day of your operation and, if possible, do not smoke 24 hours prior to your operation. Hillingdon Hospital operates a 'no smoking' policy.

What to bring

• Your appointment letter
• Any medications you are taking (including inhalers)
• Dressing gown/slippers
• Something to read/do while waiting
• Wear loose fitting clothes & cotton underwear (not nylon)

Getting ready

• Take any prescribed medication in the morning, unless told otherwise
• Have a bath/shower
• Don't wear makeup, nail varnish or jewellery (except a wedding ring)
• Please leave your jewellery/valuables at home (the hospital cannot be responsible for them)
• There will be a free telephone for you to contact your escort.
• You many need some money for presciptions/medications - normal NHS prescription charges apply.

Due to lack of space in the Day Care Unit, we would be grateful if you bring only one friend or relative with you. Whilst children can accompany your escort to and from the Day Care Unit, we ask that they do not stay in the Unit for the duration of your stay.

What to expect

We perform a variety of surgical & medical procedures caring for an average of 500 patients each month. It is a mixed sex unit offering various services. We welcome you and work hard to provide top quality care, day and night, to ensure you receive the very best treatment during your visit.

Should you have any concerns about the Unit mixed sex, please feel free to discuss them with a member of Day Care Unit staff. They can be contacted Monday to Friday 7.30am to 8.00pm on telephone 01895 279283.

Be prepared

Your appointment letter will tell you which hospital you are attending, the date and time of your consultation and the name of your consultant or clinic. You will normally be expected to make your own way to the hospital. If you are a new patient and think you may need hospital transport, please tell your GP.

Arriving at the hospital

Give your name and appointment letter/card to the receptionist who will confirm your personal details and book you into the clinic. It is very important that we have a day time and evening telephone number for you in case we need to arrange to see you at short notice.

Informed consent

If you are going to undergo any procedure, the doctor/nurse will explain the full process with associated benefits and risks. Any possible alternative treatments will be discussed with you before you consent to the treatment.

Pharmacy

Your hospital prescriptions can be dispensed at the Hospital Pharmacy, open 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday. Normal NHS prescription charges apply.

As you leave

If you are asked to come back for another appointment, you will be given a slip by the doctor or nursing staff. Please take this to the clinic.

Being discharged

A nurse will discharge you once you are fully recovered and will phone the following day to see how you are.

Medical Certificate

Please see the Senior Sister/Nurse in charge if you require a medical certificate to cover your day in hospital.

Medication/repeat prescriptions

On discharge, you will be given a letter to pass onto your GP on your way home or if this is inconvenient, drop it off the following day. They will be informed of the details of your treatment and condition and of any medicines you may have received, so contact him/her if you need help or advice.

Transport Home

Please arrange for a friend or relative to collect you. You must arrange for them to collect you from the Day Care Unit by car or taxi, do not arrange to meet them anywhere else in the hospital.

Follow-up care

Due to the affects from your general anaesthetic, we advise that you don’t drink alcohol, operate machinery (including cookers/kettles) or sign legal documents for 24 hours after the operation. You must not drive a car for 48 hours after a general anaesthetic, as you may not be covered by your insurance.

Arrange for a responsible adult to stay at home with you for 24 hours

If you feel unwell following discharge and think you need medical treatment please contact your GP who will advise you on the most appropriate treatment. This could be in the community or hospital based. Alternatively you may call the telephone helpline NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

Information for your escort

Your escort will receive a phone call either form you or one of the nurses from the Day Care Unit letting you know when you will be ready to be collected. If your escort would prefer to phone the unit before they receive this call, they can telephone 01895 279283.

It is important that you are collected from the unit, due to the type of anaesthetic you will have had. Do not arrange to meet them elsewhere in the hospital.

There are varying charges for the hospital car parks, please ensure you have the sufficient change.

Getting to Outpatients

Use the AccessAble access guides to help plan your journey and easily find you way around the hospital.