Patient pre-assessment

Let us know your previous medical history, any medication you are taking and your planned travel to get to and from the hospital.

Please be aware your previous medical history includes both your personal health history and your family health history, so you'll need to spend some time getting relevant dates for appointments and procedures, and talking to family members for details of relevant health problems they've had.

What are the benefits of a pre-assessment?

Our aim is to make the admission process as smooth and stress-free as possible. Any concerns or questions you have will be answered by the pre-assessment team before you come into the hospital. We can help you to plan your discharge and journey home, and give advice on additional care or medical equipment you might need. The health check (details of this below 'Your pre-assessment appointment') also ensures that you are in optimum health and we are aware of all potential complications.

How to complete a pre-assessment

The questionnaire should take about 10 minutes to complete. Our admissions team can email you a form, or you can print it below. Please either email or post it to us as quickly as possible, so our team can prepare for your arrival in good time.

The Pre-Assessment Team

Our dedicated Pre-Assessment Team will assess your surgical requirements and your health assessment form. Following this assessment, you may need to confirm some of your answers either via a telephone call or a face-to-face appointment with a nurse.

Your pre-assessment appointment

The nurse will ask about your general health, fitness, medications and previous operations and illnesses. The assessment may involve:

• Blood pressure, pulse, temperature and/or respiratory rate measurements
• General blood tests
• A urine test (to test for infections, which must be treated before you can have surgery)
• Swabs for MRSA (any infection must be treated before you can have surgery)
• An electrocardiogram (ECG). This records the rate, rhythm and electrical activity of your heart. It's a simple test without discomfort or pain. Please note that you will be required to partially undress for this test
• Measurement of your height and weight
• A physical examination which may require you to partially undress and lie down on the examination couch.

Some patients may also require x-rays after their appointment.

Please feel free to contact the Pre-Assessment Team directly if you have any queries or concerns on:

Email: preadmissions@kingedwardvii.co.uk

Telephone: 020 7467 4338

Fitter Better Sooner

It is normal for you to feel anxious ahead of an operation: it can be a major event in your life.

Fitter patients who are able to improve their health and activity levels recover from surgery more quickly and with fewer complications. What you do in the time leading up to surgery can have a big impact on your recovery and long term health.

Fitter Better Sooner is an initiative by the Royal College of Anaesthetists which will provide you with the information you need to help you become fitter and better prepared for your operation.

Access the Fitter Better Sooner resources