Timescale and covid test before operation?

[ifonly4]

DD has been waiting for an operation for a year. This week she had a phone call asking if she'd be prepared to go into a private hospital (paid for by NHS) and now she's got a phone call appointment for a pre-op assessment.

She hasn't got a date for an operation, but I thought assessments were done fairly close to one. Does anyone know how close? Also, will need a covid test before operation?

I work in a private hospital. Pre assessments are done up to 3 months before an operation in our place. Depending on the op and patient people have been asked to isolate or 'extensively' social distance for 7-14 days before the op. COVID swab done at the hospital drive through 3 days before then strictly isolate until admission. We were calling NHS patients last week for admission this week, we are also booking for April and May. If she has any questions she can either ring the pre assessment team back or wait until they contact her with a date and ask then.

Isolation for 14 days and covid swab 14-72 hours prior.

I wonder if it wouldn't make sense for people scheduled for operations to be called to the hospital 3 weeks before for a vaccine. Of course they might not all take it up, but in protecting vulnerable that would surely help.

The logistics of that are difficult and would lead to wasted doses. We’ve had very few positive cases on routine screening.