Preparing for your surgery

Cardiac surgery patients

Pre-operative assessment

Chemotherapy patient talks to a female staff member

Getting ready for surgery

What to expect from your pre-assessment appointment

Before your operation, you’ll have a pre-operative assessment to make sure you're fit and ready for surgery.

Most people will be seen by a nurse at a pre-assessment clinic. If you have a more complex medical history, you may also be seen by a specialist doctor – this is called a pri-operative risk assessment.

Some assessments can be done over the phone or online, depending on your health needs. We’ll let you know what’s right for you.

Your medication

Photo of pills on a bench

Don’t forget your medications

Bring a full list of everything you take – including supplements

Please bring a list of all the medications you take to your appointment. This includes the name, strength (dose), and how often you take them — even if it’s just a vitamin or herbal remedy.

You can eat, drink, and take your usual medications as normal on the day of your pre-assessment.

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Blood clot video

Preventing blood clots in hospital

Preventing blood clots in hospital

When you’re in hospital, your risk of developing a blood clot is higher than usual

This is because you might be less mobile, having surgery, recovering from an illness, or affected by things like pregnancy or certain medicines.

To reduce your risk, your hospital team will carry out a simple risk assessment so that we can recommend how to keep you safe during your stay.

Find out more about how to stay safe during your hospital stay

A patient and physiotherapist in hospital

With you for every moment

Without this programme, I would still have lung cancer

Leonard was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. He was invited to join the pre-hab programme and within weeks, his lung capacity had improved by as much as 70% on some indicators.

"I started out on the bike and then moved to the walking machine. I could feel my lungs getting stronger day by day.

"I desperately needed surgery but without these exercises there’s no way my body could take it."

Nurse with patient in a chair at Newham Hospital

Pre-assessment at Newham Hospital

Getting ready for surgery in a calm and supportive space

Our pre-operative assessment team at Newham Hospital specialises in preparing patients for orthopaedic, general, gynaecology, urology and breast surgery.

You’ll usually be seen in our nurse-led clinic, where we’ll check your overall health and fitness for surgery.

If your medical history is more complex, you may also be seen by an anaesthetist.

Contact us

Ground floor, Gateway Surgical Centre, Cherry Tree Way, Newham Hospital

Phone us: 020 7055 5516

Doctor with patient in dental chair

Pre-assessment at The Royal London Hospital

Expert support for complex and specialist surgeries

At The Royal London Hospital, we support patients having major surgery including hepatobiliary, vascular, gynaeoncology, colorectal, orthopaedic spinal and neurosurgery.

Our nurse-led clinic will assess your general health, and patients with complex needs may also see an anaesthetist in our peri-operative risk clinic.

We’re proud to have been shortlisted for a British Medical Journal award for the quality of our care.

Contact us

First floor, Luckes entrance, Stepney Way, The Royal London Hospital

020 7377 7364

Pre-assessment at Whipps Cross Hospital

nurse with patient

Pre-assessment at Whipps Cross Hospital

Personalised assessments with extra support where needed

Whipps Cross Hospital provides pre-assessments for urology, ENT, gynaecology, colorectal and general surgery.

Most assessments are carried out by our experienced nursing team. You may also be referred to our anaesthetic clinic or for additional testing if needed.

We offer cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPEX) and are developing a specialist frailty service to better support older or more vulnerable patients before and after surgery.

Contact us

Aspen House and Willow Lodge, Hospital Road, Whipps Cross Hospital

Phone us: 020 8539 5522 ext 4714