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FAQ's - Day surgery
What does being a 'daycase' mean?
Being a 'daycase' means that you will come into the Day Unit for your procedure and go home afterwards, the same day. The length of time you spend in the Unit will depend on the procedure you are having, your general state of health and the nursing care you require before you are discharged home. You will need to have a friend or relative who can care for you for 24-48 hours at home.
If you have any concerns about being a 'daycase', please discuss these with:
- your consultant
- the Pre-assessment nurse
What is 'day surgery'?
Day Surgery is a term used to describe operations which can be performed and, following a few hours recovery, allow the patient to be discharged to recover safely at home.
The main principles on which day surgery are based are:
- The duration of the operation should not exceed two hours and should not involve significant blood loss.
- Pain relief after surgery can be achieved by means of pain-relieving tablets.
- The patient's health status has been assessed as satisfactory for day surgery.
- The patient has a friend or relative who can collect him/her, following discharge, and accompany him/her home in a car or taxi.
- The patient has a friend or relative who can care for him/her for 24-48 hours, as required.
- The patient will be staying within one hour's travelling time from the Day Unit.
- The patient has access to a telephone.
- The patient is registered with a G.P.