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

[ScuderiaSedici]

As above

Glad it all went well in the end, wishing you a speedy recovery!

I've been taken in to surgery at 5pm before, after waiting all day.

When a family member of mine had a serious operation they were put in first as the surgeon/s knew it would be difficult and wanted to get that done.
On that basis, if you're near the end at least you have the consolation that it's probably less serious / a bit more routine.
(The op went ok and the surgeon told me afterwards that he was relieved).

I was listed first as a simple case but also likely to have needed a longer recovery time for pain management than say a wisdom tooth removal.

Actually that’s not true. I’ve also had a day surgery where I was taken down past 2pm! (Discharged at 6pm)

Have you got contact details for the pre-op nurses? They probably know how lists in your hospital are put together and can explain that, even if that ends up being confirmation you're likely to be at the end of the list.

They / your GP might be able to prescribe anti anxiety medication for you to take on the day of the surgery. If you're especially anxious they might be able to let a friend/relative stay with you in the waiting area.

It's better for your recovery to only fast for the minimum time required - your body will be working hard after surgery to heal the bits the surgeons were working on and it needs fuel and a good supply of protein for that. So a late night snack is the choice I'd make - for better healing and for more comfortable waiting.

Guidance for children now talks about waking them to give them a snack before the fasting cut off times.

It's also better to not be dehydrated so again stick to the minimum time for not drinking. This will help them with finding a vein for a cannula and help you by not feeling too rubbish. Look up 'sip to send' - you'll probably be able to carry on drinking still water whilst you're waiting. Lip salve will probably be ok and there are dry mouth gels which are worth asking about.

There's usually internet access in hospitals so you can plan the day with activities to do whilst you wait - if it's too hard to concentrate on a book you might have some games to play or shorter things to read online. You might also find interesting spontaneous conversations with the other people in the waiting room.

And yes, a lot of the challenge in managing healthcare is in managing uncertainty - you can't control the list or your operation potentially being cancelled on the day. So control the stuff you can control. Have a snack of your choosing with you. Have a fun evening back up plan if surgery doesn't happen.

Do you know what you're scared about? Pain? Anaesthesia? Losing control? It's possibly worth poking at that a bit and talking to someone about it.

It may help you to remember that it's your choice to have this operation. Nobody will make you. You can ask about other treatments or decide it's not worth the risk of surgery.

She's already had the surgery.

Touch wood im feeling okay so far. It can peak in a day or two, but im cautiously optimistic

Not quite surgery but my DC needed an anaesthetic for an MRI and was on the day ward with loads of other children requiring the same. We were told the anaesthetist would decide order that morning after speaking to everyone. My DC was second to go and I’m convinced it is because she felt sorry for me as I was by myself and when she was explaining the procedure I asked questions which led her to think I was a medical professional but I explained was actually due to my husband currently being an inpatient in the same hospital and had had lots of scans over the previous few weeks.

But a hip replacement isn't a day surgery case.

hip replacements increasingly are day case procedures these days

My friend was expected to be in for three days, pleased to be discharged after two.

My husband was last in theatre for foot surgery. 5pm They said it was because feet are more likely to spread infection than hips, knees.

Exactly this - as someone who organises theatre lists it is all on clinical decisions rather than anything else. Also depends on if beds are available etc etc

it’s one big jigsaw and relies on porters; patients being ready; patients turning up; the correct kit being in theatre; recovery time needed as if a say case then everyone needs to go home

As an aside always follow op instructions - the amount of people who arrive at theatre with a costa in their hand … a waste of money …

Have you any idea how many people would give anything to have your slot just because you can’t be bothered to wait? Wow - entitlement right there. You clearly don’t need to surgery if you are in a position that you want to leave and not have your surgery. To say you have paid enough tax is a dreadful thing to say. Shame on you and this is why the NHS wastes so much money. I am half thinking that you are joking just to get a response !

I’m genuinely staggered by the fact that they not only do joint replacements as a day case (I remember my granddad was in for a few days when he had his, or at least overnight - I was about 6!), but also that they do them under a spinal block rather than a GA 😬

It can be. Same with knees or any other joint really

In many cases joint replacements actually are day cases if they’re straighforward.

Because you’re an adult? Adults can take themselves to the toilet?

When I had surgery. I had to go to hospital at 7am. The day of surgery (not before) I was told a rough time for surgery (it did end up being a bit later). Again that day of surgery (not before) I saw the anaesthetist who went through his bits and the surgeon came to see me and told me exactly what he was going to do. Unfortunately when people and procures are involved things can change and not go to plan. I know that doesn’t help you but the staff are not trying to make this difficult.

We had a similar experience when my undiagnosed but volatile then 5 yr old waited all day for an MRI. He tried his best but hunger, thirst and boredom led to a meltdown about 5 pm where I had to take him in a side room... Oddly he was taken next. We went in to the same hospital for tonsillectomy 4 weeks later again expecting a long wait... Moved to first on list, play therapist on hand, referral to neuropsychology.... ADHD and likely ASD we realise now he's 7

I think it really depends on the day and the needs of others. Our experience was that special needs patients can be given priority over clinical need.

We were told our type 1 diabetic daughter would be first on the list, however on the day a child with autism was deemed to have higher need.

When I had my c-section I was the first in because everyone else was more complex. I think surgury lists will very much depend on the specialism and what they are dealing with that day.

This has been such a depressing read. I wish you had listened a little more to people who know what they’re talking about when it comes to how complex surgical timing can be, rather than thinking surgeons/anaesthetists are ‘letting people down’ etc.

Just a vast sense of entitlement.

I worked for the NHS in General Surgery for 15 years and the list was always being moved around & cancelled and I was even slightly confused sometimes, if you get time then watch tv's Critical List which explains it all down to a tee.