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

[ScuderiaSedici]

As above

Please?🙏🏻

Children tend to be youngest first on the list.

For adults transport patients get priority

Damn, thanks

It might also be clinical reasons. When I had a wisdom tooth out, I was the last one in because mine was the most awkward and so more likely to overrun.

Also diabetic patients may be prioritised if there is a need to fast, there are lots of factors.

My friend's DS who has autism had his tonsils removed and was the first on the list - the surgeon's secretary requested this.

My mum believes I’ll be high up as I’m a simple case, I think that’s why I’ll be put at the bottom!

In paediatrics we were told that youngest and those with additional needs went first. Which whilst understandable, was really hard on our 9 year old whose anxiety was through the roof and was vomiting due to the stress of waiting, after being told we had to be there at 6am, she didnt go down until 4ish, 2nd to last.

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!

Special needs of patients will be given consideration although clinical reasons come first. They would attempt to give ds an early slot because of his learning disability and they tried to fit my day op in with my caring responsibility.

I was first on the list they said as they were expecting it to be complex. The rest of the list got cancelled as she operated on me all day

I am, rather naively I thought I may get a nice easy process, but clearly I expected too much!

Depends entirely what’s on the list. Sometimes a quick and easy case goes first but if there are other clinical priorities there may be a bit of a wait. (Doi: anaesthetist)

It’s definitely not the case that the youngest children always go first - my DS1 was the last on the list when he had surgery at 6 months old. I find it hard to believe that all of the others on the list were younger than him, he was the youngest on that particular bay in the ward at least.

From my understanding, anyone who may not be compliant with fasting for long periods may go first also.

Are adults and children done on the same list?

Depends on the list. Sometimes.

I’ve always been ‘first on the list’ as I have an allergy to latex. I assume they completely ‘de-latex’ the room for me and get rid of me early, so that ‘normal service’ can resume afterwards.

When I had surgery I was told I would be last due to my surname - then ended up being one of the first. Turned out it was more complicate than they expected so I guess someone had an inkling it might be and put me earlier.

See online is telling me different things - it’s saying that some put simpler procedures first, but others put them last. I’m really hoping im just done and gone, but I guess that won’t be the case

It depends on many factors as pp have stated, for example orthopedics they would generally do a hip replacement on a younger fitter patient to get them out the wirhin a day or 2. An older , more complex patient would be later as would likely need at least a 3 night stay. Hope all goes well OP

DD (age 8) was having a complex surgery and went down first. All other day surgeries were cancelled that day as they were over run with pneumonia cases on the ward.

DS (age 2) routine surgery and didn’t go down until about 4pm in the end.

Not the same day or list obviously.

As above diabetic or complex patients will generally go 1st as if they overrun the rest will be cancelled.
Also patients that need enhanced recovery will be prioritised
A nice simple case will be easier to reschedule and or transfer to another list if needed.

To be honest if it goes much past 2pm I’ll probably just ask to leave, that sounds a bit ridiculous. Surely you get the simplest out of the way so you’re not letting anyone down!

I have not had day surgery but have had endo and colonoscopies. I am ‘simple’ so always at the end after people with diabetes and heart problems. I try and be grateful for that!!

Just had surgery and I was last, for a gallbladder removal, other than the stone, I’m fit and healthy no medical issues and assumed a simple one for them.