Day Unit

The Day Unit allows you to be admitted to the hospital for surgery or a procedure and to be discharged home on the same day.  The Unit is open from 0730 until 2000, Monday to Friday.  If your procedure requires an overnight stay, you will be admitted to the Day Unit in the morning and then transferred to one of the Inpatient Units from Theatre. 

If your procedure requires a general anaesthetic, your physical health and home circumstances will be assessed in the pre-assessment clinic prior to admission.  This is to ensure that you are well enough to undergo surgery as a day case and that you have the appropriate support available at home following discharge.  You must be collected from the Day Unit by a responsible adult following sedation/general anaesthetic and you should arrange for someone to stay with you for 24 hours afterwards.  If this is not possible, your procedure may need to be postponed until this can be arranged. 

Procedures carried out in the Day Unit include the following: 

• General surgery
• Orthopaedic surgery
• Gynaecology
• Ear, Nose and Throat
• Ophthalmology- Eye procedures
• Endoscopy procedures
• Dental Surgery
• Chronic pain treatments

A variety of other procedures are undertaken in the Unit, such as:

• Blood transfusions
• IV Infusions
• Venesections (having blood removed to reduce iron levels)
• Trial without catheter

The discharge lounge for the hospital is also located within the Unit, where patients from other Units can be taken to wait for medication or transport prior to discharge. 

What can patients expect to happen on arrival?

Most patients are given an admission time of either 0745 or 1100.  Please note that this is an admission time only and is not the time you will get your procedure done. You will be seen by the surgeon, anaesthetist and nursing staff prior to your procedure.  You may need to be in the Unit for several hours. 

When you arrive at the hospital, if the main Central Reception desk is unattended, the Day Unit can be accessed by taking the stairs or lift to the first floor.  These are located to the left of the entrance foyer, beyond Outpatients.  The Day Unit is to the left once you get to the top of the stairs and is directly on the left when exiting the lift. 

Please report to the Nurses station on arrival in the Unit, where you will be directed to take a seat in the waiting area.  There is a corner within the waiting area containing a small selection of books and toys for children having surgical procedures.

Due to a high turnover of patients and to maintain patient confidentiality, relatives are politely requested not to wait in the department.  

Prior to theatre you will be seen by:

The Surgeon who will be performing your procedure.  They will explain the procedure, including any potential complications and they will ask you to sign a consent form if you have not already done so.  You will be given the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

The Anaesthetist will ask you about your general health and medication. 

The Nurse will do your admission paperwork, by asking several questions to ensure that you are prepared for theatre.  They will also check your blood pressure, pulse and oxygen levels.

You will be asked to change into a theatre gown prior to theatre.  Although we try to avoid it, you may have to wait some time for your procedure.  The time of your procedure depends on the number of patients on each list and where you are on the list. 

Please read all of the instructions given to you prior to your admission.  If you have any queries, please contact the Day Unit on 01856 888263. 

What to bring with you

• Medications (including inhalers)
• A dressing gown for walking to theatre, slippers may be useful if staying overnight
• Spectacles
• A book or magazine to help pass the time 

We have Public WiFi access available.

Please do not bring any valuables with you. 

Transfer to Theatre/Endoscopy Suite

When it is time to go to theatre, you will be given clogs to wear to walk to the department.  The nurse looking after you will give the theatre team a handover about you and your procedure.  If you have mobility issues we can provide a wheelchair or trolley.

If children are having surgery, one parent may accompany them to the anaesthetic room.  If required, they can take a favourite toy with them.  The parent will be called back to Recovery after surgery, so that they are there when the child wakes up.

Transfer back to the Unit

Once you are awake and comfortable, you will be transferred back to the Day Unit on your trolley, or straight to the inpatients unit if you are staying overnight.  You will be connected to a machine which will monitor your blood pressure, pulse and oxygen levels.  When you are fully awake, you will be offered light refreshments such as: water, tea/coffee and toast. 

Discharge from hospital

Discharge is usually around 2-3 hours after returning to the unit, but this may vary depending on your procedure and how you recover.  We will only discharge you once you are fully awake and any pain or nausea is controlled.

Prior to discharge, a nurse will ensure that you have any dressings or discharge medication you require post-operatively.  They will also give you written discharge information specific to your procedure, including information on any follow-up appointments.

You should be collected from the Unit by a responsible adult and arrange to have someone with you at home for the first 24 hours. 

You will be unable to drive for 48 hours after sedation/general anaesthetic.

If you have any queries, please contact the Day Unit between 0730 and 2000 Monday to Friday on 01856 888263.  Outwith these hours, please contact Inpatient Unit 1 on 01856 888233. 

Other useful numbers are noted below:

• NHS 24 - 111
• Emergency Department (if urgent) - 01856 888235

If you need to cancel or change an appointment, please phone the number that has been sent out on your appointment slip:

• Surgical - 01856 888194
• Medical - 01856 888261

Feedback

We hope your experience with us is as pleasant as possible.  However, if you have any questions, comments or complaints please:

• Speak to a member of staff who is caring for you, or the nurse in charge
• There are also comments boxes situated in the waiting area and in the entrance foyer

NHS Orkney policy on smoking

NHS Orkney aims to improve and maintain everyone’s health – patients, staff and visitors – so smoking is not permitted anywhere on its premises, including grounds and car parks.