Entering the Day Surgery Unit
The entrance to the Day Surgery Unit is situated behind Ayrshire Maternity Unit and is well signposted when you enter the grounds of the hospital.
Please do not enter by the main building. The unit has a separate entrance and car parking area. Please use this entrance if arriving for your operation or procedure.
If you are collecting a patient following their operation, please enter via the main entrance to the hospital and follow the signs directing to the post-operative ward area of the Day Surgery Unit.
The Day Surgery Unit telephone number is:
- 01563 827234 if phoning before your operation or procedure
- 01563 827741 if phoning for information about collecting a patient after their surgery or procedure
Getting here
By car if dropping a friend/relative off before their operation/procedure
Enter the hospital grounds road directing to Ayrshire Maternity Unit and follow the road round to the back where you will see an entrance named Day Surgery and Endoscopy. Parking is very limited. There is an area to drop patients off.
By bus
There is a bus stop at the main entrance of the hospital. You should follow the signs directing to the rear of the hospital as per car guidance.
Collecting a patient following their operation or procedure
You will be advised where to collect the patient. If they have had a local anaesthetic you will usually collect them from the same area they were dropped off (round the back of the Ayrshire Maternity Unit). If they have had a general anaesthetic and/or need a period of recovery following their operation/procedure please go to the post operative area of Day Surgery which is accessed via the main entrance to the hospital and follow the signs thereafter.
Preparing for your appointment
Please make sure you have simple pain-relieving medication at home before you come in for your operation. This includes paracetamol and ibuprofen (if appropriate) which you can buy from a supermarket or pharmacy (chemist). This will help to make you
comfortable after your surgery.
If you feel unwell before your appointment, please telephone the Day Surgery Unit. Your operation is a planned day surgery procedure which means you will go home on the same day as your operation. There are occasions when you may require to stay overnight due to the nature of your surgery or how you feel after your operation.
Arrange for someone to bring you to the Day Surgery Unit, or come by public transport. Do not drive yourself. You must have a responsible adult to accompany you home by car or taxi (not public transport). This person should be available throughout the day and stay with you for 24 hours after your operation.
Please read any additional information leaflets you may have been given. Please have a shower or bath the morning of your operation.
Do not wear make-up or nail varnish on the day of your operation.
Fasting guidelines
Morning appointment
You can eat and drink as normal until midnight the night before surgery. You must not eat anything or chew gum after midnight. You can drink your normal amount of clear fluids – for example water, diluting juice, black tea or coffee (but no milk) until 7am on the day of surgery.
After this time you will be encouraged to sip water until the time of your surgery. This is known as ‘siptilsend’ to help you stay well hydrated and recover after your operation.
Afternoon appointment (11am onwards)
Please eat a light breakfast such as tea and toast before 7am on the day of surgery. You must not eat anything or chew gum after 7am.
You can drink your normal amount of clear fluids, for example water diluting juice, black tea or coffee (but no milk) until 11am on the day of surgery.
After this time you will be encouraged to sip water until the time of your surgery. This is known as ‘siptilsend’ to help you stay well hydrated and recover after your operation.
Do not chew gum, suck a sweet, smoke or drink alcohol on the day of your operation.
Please make sure you follow the fasting times or your surgery may be cancelled.
Items to bring with you
Please bring:
- Any pills, medicine or inhalers you are taking in their original packaging; these will be returned to you before you leave the unit.
- Your appointment letter.
- Reading material, such as a book or magazine.
- Slippers or comfortable shoes.
Please do not bring valuables of any kind, as we cannot accept responsibility for these.
Medication
If you take regular medication please follow the instructions you received at your pre-op assessment appointment.
If you have diabetes please follow the instructions you received at your pre-op assessment appointment.
After the procedure we will give you something to eat and drink and you can take your insulin or diabetic tablets and other routine medication. We will monitor your blood sugar while you are in the unit.
If you are on any anticoagulant (blood thinning) medication please follow the instructions you received at your pre-op assessment appointment. If you take warfarin, please inform the anticoagulant nurse/team that you are coming in for an operation and they will arrange follow up for you.
On the day
Please report to the reception desk at the time advised on your admission letter. The nursing staff will go through an admission process to get you prepared for your operation. You will be given a gown and dressing gown to change into. You may have support stockings applied. You may have a blood sample taken.
You will meet your surgeon and have a chance to discuss your operation and if you have not already done so you will be asked to sign a consent form. If necessary the surgeon will mark the site of your operation. If you need a fit note for work please ask the surgeon at this stage and we will give you this when you go home. You will meet the anaesthetist who will discuss the anaesthetic plan with you which may be general anaesthetic, spinal anaesthetic or regional nerve block.
You may have to wait before we take you for your operation. This may be several hours depending on how busy the theatre is, but we will keep you informed about this. During this time you will be encouraged to take sips of water to make sure you are well hydrated.
While you are waiting, it is important that you do not:
- have anything to eat
- suck sweets
- chew gum
You may be given some pain-relieving medications before your operation to help make you more comfortable after your procedure.
Please make sure your mobile telephone is on silent before going to theatre, so it does not disturb other patients.
After your operation you will spend some time in the recovery room where you will be monitored and looked after until you are ready to be moved to the day surgery ward area. When you are able we will give you something to eat and drink and make sure you are comfortable.
Please let the nursing staff know if you feel unwell, are sore or feeling sick and they will give you medication to treat this.
Nursing or medical staff will review you and when you are ready you will be discharged home.
The nursing staff looking after you will contact the person who has been arranged to collect you and tell them of your expected discharge time.
Discharge information
After your operation you may be given some painrelieving medication to take home. This will depend on the type of surgery you have had. You will be given information on how to take this medication, and advice on how to reduce it as you are getting better. If you feel you require more strong pain-relieving medication, please contact your GP practice to discuss this.
If you require additional paracetamol or ibuprofen after your operation, you may be able to get this from a supermarket or using ‘NHS Pharmacy First Scotland’ from your local pharmacy (chemist).
You may be given antibiotics or other medication to take home if required.
If you need any follow-up, we will make these arrangements and let you know this information before you leave the unit.
For 24 to 48 hours after your operation
You may feel tired and should rest for 24 hours. Do not work.
Please follow any specific precautions which your surgeon, anaesthetist, physiotherapist or nurse has advised.
Do not sign any important documents or do anything which requires skill or judgement.
Do not drink alcohol or take sleeping tablets.
Do not drive a car or ride a bicycle, operate machinery, including kitchen equipment, or climb ladders. You should not be left with sole caring responsibility for children or adults.
A general anaesthetic may make your car insurance invalid for 48 hours or longer. We advise you check with your insurance provider.
Please note
- University Hospital Crosshouse is a smoke-free zone. Smoking is not permitted in the Day Surgery Unit or anywhere on the grounds.
- The Day Surgery Unit is a mixed sex area, for both male and female patients.
- Our staff are committed to protecting your privacy at all times.
Contact details
If you require any advice after you go home relating to your surgery please contact:
- Day Surgery Unit: 01563 827741 (8.30am to 8.30pm, Monday to Friday)
You can also contact your GP within normal working hours.
If you experience any problems when your GP practice is closed, please contact NHS 24 on 111.
Tell us what you think
Our staff are committed to delivering high quality care in the Day Surgery Unit at University Hospital Crosshouse. We welcome your commendations if your stay with us has been to your satisfaction. Likewise, we would like to hear from you if you have not been entirely happy.
If you have any comments or complaints during your stay, please ask to speak to the nurse in charge who will discuss the matter with you.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome you should write to:
Patient Relations and Complaints Department
Eglinton House
Ailsa Hospital
Ayr
KA6 6AB
01292 513620