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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask anyone in the NHS how day surgery lists are determined?

516 replies

ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 14:43

As above

OP posts:
RenegadeKeeblerElf · 30/07/2025 18:53

ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 18:53

As I’ve been told multiple times, I’ll be last on the list. That’ll be a 6-7pm theatre slot.

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Not for a morning list

Original poster
ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 18:53

RenegadeKeeblerElf · 30/07/2025 18:52

Why do you keep saying you'll be there until 6pm when you're on a morning list? Yes, lists sometimes run over but not to that extent, if there was that big an issue you'd be more likely to be cancelled than delayed by that long. Your surgeon will likely have other commitments scheduled for the afternoon and the theatre will have an afternoon list planned.

As I’ve been told multiple times, I’ll be last on the list. That’ll be a 6-7pm theatre slot.

OP posts:
Original poster
ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 18:53

RampantIvy · 30/07/2025 18:46

The patient's safety is the first priority.

When is your procedure?

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So to make us as safe as possible, they make us all starve ourselves!

OP posts:
Vaxtable · 30/07/2025 18:53

When I had cataracts done it was oldest first. However the oldest actually have testes positive for mrsa so had to go last as study had to vent the room afterwooods before anyone else could use it

so could depend on anything

RenegadeKeeblerElf · 30/07/2025 18:52

Why do you keep saying you'll be there until 6pm when you're on a morning list? Yes, lists sometimes run over but not to that extent, if there was that big an issue you'd be more likely to be cancelled than delayed by that long. Your surgeon will likely have other commitments scheduled for the afternoon and the theatre will have an afternoon list planned.

Greybeardy · 30/07/2025 18:52

ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 18:44

I’ve eaten dinner. But the point still stands - patient comfort should be priority, no?

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its a hospital not a spa. Safety is fundamental. Most HCPs do try to make a hospital visit for any reason as comfortable as possible, but it’s a limited system where you literally can’t have every patient in theatre at the same time and there has to be some pragmatic decision making. Every individual patient is going to be thinking about themselves because that’s human nature, but the HCPs have to think about how to get the greatest number of patients looked after safely and sometimes that means some inconvenience. If you’re not first on the list then ask them for some squash or water so you’re not dehydrated.

Thatcannotberight · 30/07/2025 18:47

DS aged 1 was first on the list in Children's day surgery, but none were done until after lunch.
DS age 24 has just had orthopedic surgery on his broken foot. Went in at 10.30, was told it would be after lunch, ended up having surgery at. 5pm. Discharged himself at 8 as didnt want to spend any more time on Ortho ward.

RampantIvy · 30/07/2025 18:46

ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 18:44

I’ve eaten dinner. But the point still stands - patient comfort should be priority, no?

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The patient's safety is the first priority.

When is your procedure?

Original poster
ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 18:45

RubySquid · 30/07/2025 18:43

You were lucky to get a bed. When I was in for day surgeryit was an uncomfortable chair in a waiting room with no wifi signal

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It’s such a shame isn’t it? We’re treated like an inconvenience

OP posts:
Original poster
ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 18:44

Greybeardy · 30/07/2025 18:40

if lists are run like that and patients come in at staggered start times you can’t book so many cases on and the waiting lists increase because the anaesthetist and surgeon have to leave theatre to see each patient as they arrive and then team brief individually before starting each case. It’s also economically ridiculous to have so much theatre down time with all the scrub staff twiddling their thumbs and the theatre ventilation turning over idly etc etc. Even in the private sector lists don’t run like that.

list ordering is complex and occasionally unpredictable. You have no idea where on the list you’re going to be so you’re getting in a tiz over something that’s quite likely to not be a problem.

you still don’t need to be fasted as long as you’re going to be - you are making that choice by not eating an evening meal.

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I’ve eaten dinner. But the point still stands - patient comfort should be priority, no?

OP posts:
RubySquid · 30/07/2025 18:43

ExtraOnions · 30/07/2025 18:29

I was in for a gynaecology procedure earlier this year … fairly simple. I was told they do the more difficult cases first, so I was last down… just sat on the bed reading, and listening to music.

You were lucky to get a bed. When I was in for day surgeryit was an uncomfortable chair in a waiting room with no wifi signal

Original poster
ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 18:41

RubySquid · 30/07/2025 18:39

So why if you are likely to not be seen before 4 pm do you need to arrive at the hospital at the crack of dawn?

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Exactly. If im going to be at the bottom of the list, tell me to come in at midday!

OP posts:
Greybeardy · 30/07/2025 18:40

ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 18:26

Treat us with respect then? There’s no reason I couldn’t have a call this afternoon to say im X position, start fasting at X time and come into the hospital at X tome.

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if lists are run like that and patients come in at staggered start times you can’t book so many cases on and the waiting lists increase because the anaesthetist and surgeon have to leave theatre to see each patient as they arrive and then team brief individually before starting each case. It’s also economically ridiculous to have so much theatre down time with all the scrub staff twiddling their thumbs and the theatre ventilation turning over idly etc etc. Even in the private sector lists don’t run like that.

list ordering is complex and occasionally unpredictable. You have no idea where on the list you’re going to be so you’re getting in a tiz over something that’s quite likely to not be a problem.

you still don’t need to be fasted as long as you’re going to be - you are making that choice by not eating an evening meal.

RubySquid · 30/07/2025 18:39

SomethingDifferentBloomed · 30/07/2025 15:44

The order of an individual surgeon’s list depends on what is on the list. Those who would be unable to fast for long periods will generally go first (eg children, people with learning disabilities, people with diabetes etc). Often major cases will go first, and more minor procedures at the end of the list. Or they may group similar procedures together, or prioritise the more complex cases, or patients with particular anaesthetic concerns. So basically it really depends on the specialty, the surgeon, the anaesthetist, and the other patients on the list that day.

Are you waiting for an operation? Hope it all goes well!

So why if you are likely to not be seen before 4 pm do you need to arrive at the hospital at the crack of dawn?

Original poster
ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 18:37

youalright · 30/07/2025 18:35

Op breath it's going to be ok go on the day and go with the flow. You will be ok.

I’m not “going with the flow” - this is surgery not a fucking party! They should be more organised than this. If this is so changeable, what means my operation won’t just get cancelled.

OP posts:
youalright · 30/07/2025 18:35

Op breath it's going to be ok go on the day and go with the flow. You will be ok.

RafaistheKingofClay · 30/07/2025 18:35

I was going to jump in and ask a question but I’m almost afraid to ask now.

CountryMumof4 · 30/07/2025 18:35

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How utterly despicable of you to be so dismissive of a child's experiences.

Ncforthiscms · 30/07/2025 18:35

ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 18:26

Treat us with respect then? There’s no reason I couldn’t have a call this afternoon to say im X position, start fasting at X time and come into the hospital at X tome.

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The list will not be finalised until the day...not in advance. There are so many variables- including people who weren't operated on the day before for whatever reason, thatday surgery lists aren't certain in advance.
Suck it up or go private.

isitme111 · 30/07/2025 18:35

Who do you think should wait till 6pm, why shouldn't it be you? What makes you more worthy than others. What's the issue with not eating later the previous evening if you're worried about starving. You need to be a bit more flexible.

Cantonet · 30/07/2025 18:33

My ds waited 2 days with an infection.
We were told at 6pm that they would not be able to do that first day due to too many emergencies coming in. So we went home & returned the following morning at 8am. He was operated on at 6ish the second day.
There were patients holding their own drips in the waiting room & some very sick looking individuals.
It was no ones fault & the surgical team were organised, cheerful & down to reception they were all absolutely lovely.
But I really don't think either of us could have faced a third day of waiting.

Rooroobear · 30/07/2025 18:31

titchy · 30/07/2025 18:31

Yeah sod clinical need. Let’s ask everyone to bring in their latest P60 and prioritise according to tax paid. Don’t be a fucking entitled moron.

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Too late!! They already are

titchy · 30/07/2025 18:31

ScuderiaSedici · 30/07/2025 17:54

I pay enough in tax and I’ve waited long enough to not be left fasting until 5 or 6pm the next day.

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Yeah sod clinical need. Let’s ask everyone to bring in their latest P60 and prioritise according to tax paid. Don’t be a fucking entitled moron.

Rooroobear · 30/07/2025 18:30

You sound lovely op. Now you’re being rude about a child. Keep going, you’ll get loads of help!

Kirbert2 · 30/07/2025 18:30

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He certainly has a better attitude than you do. He struggled, of course he did, who likes to be starving hungry? but he didn't make half as much of a fuss as you seem to be making.