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Before your stay

You might be feeling anxious about coming to hospital, but preparing for your visit should make you feel a little better.

Before your admission, we'll send you an email confirming your admission date, time, and location. Please read this carefully and note any specific instructions.

You should also follow any special instructions that your consultant has given you, such as fasting before surgery or stopping your medicines.

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Pre-admission clinic

You may need to attend our pre-admission clinic, one to four weeks before your admission date.

At our pre-admission clinic, we will carry out all necessary tests ahead of your stay. It’s also a chance to complete admission paperwork in advance. All of this leads to a smoother admission on the day of your procedure.

At the clinic, we will:

  • carry out blood tests and any other tests your consultant has ordered so they have the results in good time ahead of the procedure
  • record your weight, height and medical history
  • screen certain patients for MRSA

To arrange an appointment at the pre-admission clinic, call +44 (0)20 7460 5700.

Opening hours are 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 2pm on Saturday.

Appointments at the pre-admission clinic are included in the cost of your main procedure.

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Special requests

We want your stay to be as comfortable as possible. Please let us know in advance if you need:

  • special facilities because of a physical disability (we have disabled access to all areas of the hospital but can cater for additional requirements)
  • an interpreter or chaperone
  • an extra room for relatives or carers, subject to availability (additional charges apply)

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MRSA screening

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If you work in a healthcare environment or have a history of MRSA infections, your consultant will ask you to be screened.

Patients undergoing certain procedures will also need to be screened. These include:

  • cardiac, neurological/spinal, orthopaedic, transplant, or vascular surgery
  • bone marrow transplants
  • procedures involving an implant
  • central venous catheter (CVC) insertion
  • dialysis patients
  • haematology patients
  • patients with open wounds and lesions
  • oncology patients
  • patients having radiotherapy, attending the oncology ward or chemotherapy day unit

You will need to take the test up to four weeks before admission.

If you are one of the small number of people carrying the MRSA bacteria, you will need to have treatment for five days before you come into hospital.

If you have the test elsewhere, you will need to email the result to our pre-admission team before your reservation is confirmed.

You can read our MRSA screening information leaflet for more details on the screening process.

Download our MRSA screening leaflet (opens in a new window) >

You can also call our pre-admissions team on +44 (0)20 7460 5700.

Book an appointment today

Our telephone lines are open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 2pm Saturdays.

 

Alternatively, fill out our appointment request form and we'll be in touch shortly.

Please note - regrettably we are unable to answer specific medical questions or offer medical advice via email or telephone.