Day Surgery at Poole Hospital
The day of surgery unit welcomes both adult and paediatric patients attending hospital for operations under local or general anaesthetic. Our aim is to make your stay in hospital as comfortable as possible.
In the vast majority of cases patients will be discharged home on the same day.
Admissions are planned around morning and afternoon operations. There may be a wait of a few hours before you have your operation, so you may wish to bring something to read to help pass the time.
Advice for day surgery patients
If you are coming to Poole Hospital for day surgery, you may find the information below helpful:
What should I do when I arrive?
On the day report to reception at the Day of Surgery Unit where you will be admitted to the ward and introduced to the nurse who will be looking after you during your stay.
What will happen?
You may be attending the day case unit for pre-assessment or for an operation or procedure. You will receive appropriate advice and details on preparation before admission and before discharge.
How long will I be?
This will be included in the information you receive from the day case unit.
Following your procedure your nurse will look after you and monitor your recovery to then enable discharge home. We will contact your nominated escort to collect you once this has been done. Short stay car park facilities are located by the Dome entrance.
What to bring with you on admission
- Any inhalers or medication you use
- A book or magazine to read while waiting
- Change for the phone
- Slippers and dressing gown
Changing your appointment
If you cannot keep your appointment for any reason, please tell us as soon as possible. We can then offer the date to another patient. The telephone number is on your appointment letter or call 0300 019 2490
If you fail to keep your appointment without notifying us you may be referred back to your GP.
Other information
Patients who have had anaesthetic must be collected by and be cared for by a responsible adult for 24 hours.
A child under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, who must stay with their child on the ward.
Pre-admission clinic
You will be required to attend a pre-admission clinic before the planned operation day, where information will be given regarding the procedure, and clear details about pre- and post-operative care.
Medical checks will also take place at this stage.
On the day
On the day you will be admitted by a nurse or doctor and will have an opportunity to ask any questions or concerns you may have regarding your operation.
Following your procedure your nurse will look after you and monitor your recovery to then enable discharge home.
Patients who have had anaesthetic must be collected by and be cared for by a responsible adult for 24 hours.
A child under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, who must stay with their child on the ward.
What to do if you can't make it
If for any reason you are unable to attend for your operation, please contact us so that we may offer your appointment to another patient. Please give us as much notice as possible. Call us on 0300 019 2490
Day theatres
Day theatres is a busy, dynamic department consisting of three operating rooms and a first-stage recovery room. Patients who come in for day surgery have their operations in our theatres.
The department works in conjunction with the day ward. We provide a range of procedures including ear, nose and throat, oral surgery, maxillo facial, general surgery, gynaecology and orthopaedics. We also undertake pain clinic sessions.
Many procedures are undertaken using keyhole surgery.
We care for both adult and paediatric patients, requiring either a general or a local anaesthetic.
Patients recover in the first-stage recovery area following their operation before being transferred back to the ward.
