Can they prevent me leaving?

[LaurieFairyCake]

I have to have a general anaesthetic and then be discharged the same day.

My partner can't come and get me.

Can I discharge myself. The nurse said 'they wouldn't let me leave unless I was with someone'

Anyone know?

In that instance I'd call asap and ask for a new op date. You legally aren't allowed to drive within 24h and 24-48h is still debatable..it really depends on what ops you've had before and what you're having, the effects of GAs depend on what we give, which is operation specific.

If you are cancelling pls do so ASAP as our waiting lists are so high its really frustrating when we have a last minute cancellation that they can't fill

Sorry about your mum

Have no idea what you mean by irregular discharge, I've done 5y at uni, 10y as a Dr and never heard that term.

66% of nhs operating is performed as day surgery. Most don't need overnight stays now our drugs are cleaner and shorter acting. There's lots of evidence patients do better in the own homes with their own food/drink/beds.

Theres social reasons why we don't (like this), bmi limits occasionally and other conditions that may keep an individual in overnight. But generally day surgery is very safe and ensures we have inpatient beds for those that need in patient treatment

We don't provide ambulances to taxi people around (don't even have enough of those to attend urgent 999 calls). We don't have overnight beds just sitting around for social reasons (obviously intraop complications needing an overnight bed is different). Those that need an overnight stay for social reasons, needs the bed booking at the time of surgical booking

I can only assume you aren't based in the UK

I wouldn’t risk it.

you are a doctor in the UK and don't know about the existence of patient transport?????

talk about ivory tower!

How do you think all your patients arrive in front of you and get home again? or do you imagine all patients come equipped with private car and driver? Seriously, what percent of the population do you actually believe is that privileged? Of course ambulances take people to and from hospital appointments and operations, by the tens of thousand, every day.

@GreenRaven is patient transport still a thing?
Because my own experience is that anything like this is bloody hard to get nowadays. A bit like ambulances….

Sorry your mum is in a hospice OP, it must be such a tough time for you both.

But you can't drive within 24 hours of this operation so if you need to take her there, you need to reschedule your operation for an alternative date.

It would be foolish and very selfish to drive the day after general anaesthetic. I'm not even sure if it's legal. It's against all medical recommendations and frankly a nurse who told you to go for it shouldn't be a nurse.

@GreenRaven no most people don’t use patient transport. It’s very hard to get in most places and you are often waiting for hours after you’re ready to leave, and if you need to be there for a 10am appointment for instance you may get picked up at 0700 for a 20 minute journey because ‘that’s when they have availability on the round’. They will look at every possible option before patient transport. Including private taxi. Even ‘private taxi and claim expenses’ is preferable for those on low income. I don’t think that poster is saying that nobody ever comes by PT but it’s not a ‘oh just because you fancy it, it’s like a free taxi’ service.

I didn't say most people use it, and I didn't say it was an easy or fun option. I said it exists, and tens of thousands of people use it every day, because it is there only choice

Yes, I've done it lots of times out of necessity. Never had an issue and no one has ever raised an eyebrow. When I feel ready enough, I just book a taxi and leave.

As a matter of fact . I am based in the UK. !!! I'm 67 years old this summer and I do assure you that it may be a defunct' expression now but in my day if you "signed yourself out' it was indeed referred to as an 'Irregular discharge' of course you would need more than your limited experience to know this. I take great exception to you lecturing me about an overworked service and using ambulances as taxis. Again if you've never heard of outpatient transport. I e Ambulance buses,I'm guessing this is because you don't have many post qualifying years under your belt. I wasn't suggesting the Original Poster be allowed to stay in hospital a few hours longer as some kind of 'Social Beano' I was only thinking of her safety if she really can't be safely escorted home by family or freinds. It comes under the heading of 'Duty of Care' .Don't let your pride in your doctor title make you forget this. It's what humanity is all about and in my humble opinion it separates a great doctor from merely just an adequate one . Hopefully the lady who originally posted will be able to sort something out! It was in response to her that I gave what I thought to be reasonable suggestions.

If you had capacity ie weren't confused after the GA you would be able to sign against medical advice. However if you say thius it's possible they might reconsider the surgery bad it's really poor compliance - what is the surgery

Someone has to be there with you for 24 hrs too

Change the date for when your partner there

I did get picked up, but it was impossible to park so I walked out (carrying my bag down three flights of stairs) to meet my DH as he drove past stopping
briefly for me to jump in! Theoretically I shouldn't have left the ward alone but practically there was no alternative. I was absolutely fine as it happened, although it was quite a big op. I do snap out of general anaesthetics though, my DD on the other hand is really bad after them.

That's patient transport (staffed by volunteers predominately) not ambulances (despite looking similar).

But thanks for the patronisation I've spent many years arranging patient transport for my ward patients and my own disabled relatives, and volunteering with a service granting wishes for the terminally ill who need stretcher transport to achieve final wishes, so yes I'm well aware of them and no not in an ivory tower

Yep definitely a thing. Let the appts team know and they'll arrange if you meet the criteria for it. Some trusts will fund taxis/public transport for those on low incomes coming to tertiary care (often London hospitals from more rural locations

OP it's worth contacting the hospice too as lots have a list of volunteer drivers that may be able to collect and return your mum

wow! its an ambulance. it is not an emergency ambulance, but it is an ambulance. Here is a definition of ambulance for you

a vehicle equipped for taking sick or injured people to and from hospital

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospitals/going-into-hospital/how-to-organise-transport-to-and-from-hospital/

It's called patient transport and its available to people who meet the criteria.