Admission to Ward 3

Admission to Ward 3

Patient Information

• Author ID:      SP
• Leaflet ref:     SW3 001
• Version:         10
• Leaflet title:    Admission to Ward 3
• Last review:    September 2023
• Expiry Date:   September 2025

Welcome to Ward 3 Day Surgery.

Leigh Infirmary

The Avenue

Leigh 

WN7 1HS

We hope your short stay with us will be as comfortable as possible.  If you are worried about anything, please do not hesitate to telephone the ward, and ask for advice.

Ward 3 - telephone 01942 264260 or 01942 264261, 7:30am until 8:30pm, Monday to Friday.

Ward 3 is a day surgery ward with no overnight facilities.  Your operation has been planned as a day case procedure which means that you will be able to come into hospital and be discharged later the same day.  Very rarely, some patients do not recover in time to go home and will therefore need to be transferred to Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan.

Ward 3 is a mixed sex ward.  Male and female patients are nursed in separate bays.  Where required, separate toilet facilities are provided.

Ward 3 does not have facilities for relatives to wait on the ward unless there are special circumstances.  For those relatives wishing to wait in the hospital there is a seating area near the main entrance.  There is a shop situated near the main entrance that is open from 8am until 4pm, serving hot food from 8am until 3pm. 

Confirming your appointment

Please ring admissions to confirm that you can attend hospital on the date you have been given for your operation/procedure.

If you cannot attend

If you become ill or cannot attend for any reason, please let us know as early as possible so that another patient may benefit.

Please ring admissions on 0300 555 4567.

Preparing for your operation

Please bathe or shower on the morning of your operation, but do not wear make-up or use talcum powder or deodorant.   Remove all nail varnish and jewellery.  You are advised to leave valuables at home.

If you are taking tablets for high blood pressure or a heart complaint, take as usual with a sip of water.  If you are on Aspirin, Warfarin, or blood thinning medication, follow the advice given to you in clinic.  Please bring any medication with you on admission.  If you have any queries, ring Ward 3 for advice.

If you are having a local anaesthetic

This means the area around the operation site will be numbed by injection, but you are awake.  You will be able to follow your usual routine, eating and drinking as normal, unless you have been instructed otherwise.

Please make arrangements for an adult to accompany you home after your operation.  If you have any questions regarding this please ring the ward.

If you are having a general anaesthetic

This means you will be asleep during your operation.

If you are having a morning operation, do not eat or drink after midnight. Have a late supper.

If you are having an afternoon operation, you may have a light breakfast for example tea and toast before 8:00 am.

You may drink water until 11:00am.

Do not suck sweets or chew gum when you are fasting.

If you have a general anaesthetic, you need an adult to accompany you home and to stay with you overnight following your procedure

Please bring the following items with you

• A list of any medicines you are taking.  Please bring all tablets, inhalers, GTN spray.
• If you are diabetic please bring your medication/insulin with you.
• Dressing gown and slippers
• Something to read
• Please do not bring any valuables with you.

Hand gel

In keeping with good practice and infection control recommendations, would all patients and visitors please use the antibacterial gel on their hands when entering and leaving the ward.

What will happen on the day?

On arrival to the hospital you will need to book in at the admissions desk situated on the ground floor below Ward 3.  You will then be directed to the ward. On arrival to Ward 3 you will be met by the nursing staff who will prepare you for surgery.  If you have any questions or worries please feel free to talk to a member of staff.

You will be asked to change into an operating gown and in due course will be accompanied to the operating theatre.  (Please note that you will be on a theatre list with several other people, so please be prepared for a wait).

Consent form

If you have not already done so, you will be asked to sign a consent form giving permission to proceed with the operation.

General anaesthetic

If you have had a general anaesthetic you will wake up in the recovery area and after a period of monitoring you will then be taken back to the ward.  Most patients are able to enjoy a cup of tea and something to eat about one hour after the operation.  Patients who have had a general anaesthetic are usually discharged about three to four hours after their operation. Some operations may require a longer recovery period.  Very occasionally some patients may require an overnight stay which would mean being transferred to Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan.

Local anaesthetic

If you have had a local anaesthetic you should be able to go straight back to the ward area and go home after taking some light refreshment and nursing staff have completed your discharge. 

When you are ready to be discharged

We will contact your escort and tell them what time to come for you.

If necessary, you will be prescribed strong painkillers, antibiotics or other treatment to take home.  Post-operative instructions will be given and arrangements will be made for any follow up treatment you may require.

For the first 24 hours following your general anaesthetic

• Do not drive a car or ride a bicycle
• Do not operate machinery, including domestic equipment such as sewing machines.
• Avoid ironing and cooking
• Do not do anything requiring skill or judgement, including signing important documents, making decisions or looking after young children.
• Do not drink alcohol.
• Do not take sleeping tablets
• Observe any other special precautions which the doctors may advise.

If you have had a local anaesthetic

It is advised that you go home and rest.

Recovery time

How long you require off work will depend on the type of operation you have had.  If you require a sick note this can be provided by the ward.

Travel expenses

If you are receiving income support or family credit, or are on a low income, you may be entitled to full or partial reimbursement of your travel expenses.  Proof will be required.

By bus:           Please retain your bus ticket as proof of fare.

By car:            14p a mile may be claimed.

Please note: taxi fares are not paid except in exceptional circumstances.

Travel reimbursement forms can be obtained from the ward; these are required to make a claim.

Claims can be made at the General Office between 9 am and 3pm.  If you have any questions please telephone 01942 264390.

Smoking control policy

This Trust operates a smoke free policy and therefore it is prohibited to smoke in Trust buildings or grounds.