When it is time for your planned surgery, we will notify you of your procedure date. You may also need to attend a Pre-Admission Clinic appointment.
Attend a pre-admission appointment
For many surgical procedures, you will need to attend a Pre-Admission Clinic appointment either in person or through Telehealth. This appointment is to make sure that any essential pre-operative tests are complete and that you are well prepared for surgery.
During your Pre-Admission appointment, you will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary team that includes anaesthetists, allied health staff and surgical liaison nurses.
This team will advise you of:
- what to expect in hospital
- your length of stay
- any discharge requirements
If you have a telehealth appointment, you can access your appointment through the Pre-Admission Clinic Telehealth waiting area.
Did you complete the health assessment questionnaire?
Before your appointment, we recommend that you complete the health assessment questionnaire that you received when you were added to the surgical preparation list.
Confirm your surgery at the RMH
It is important that you complete your pre-surgery instructions to avoid any delays to your surgery.
When a surgery date is available, the bookings team will contact you with the date, time, and instructions.
We will try to give you advance notice (up to two weeks’ notice) of your surgery date. However, sometimes shorter notice is given if a surgery date becomes available earlier or unexpectedly.
Surgery delays
Although rare, it is possible we may need to postpone your surgery at short notice to accommodate emergency surgery cases.
If this happens, a member of the surgical liaison team will call you to discuss and reschedule you into the next available time. You many also receive a letter confirming your new surgery date.
Reschedule or cancel your surgery
If you need to delay your surgery for personal reasons, contact the Planned Surgery bookings team as soon as possible. If you delay your surgery multiple times, you may be removed from the preparation list.
If you no longer need your surgery or procedure, call the Planned Surgery bookings team to be removed from the preparation list.
What to bring when you come to hospital
Every time you come
Every time you come in for a test, day procedure, surgery or treatment, you should bring:
- Medicare card
- Health Care card (if you have one)
- Concession card (if you have one)
- Adverse drug alert card (if you have one)
- Medications you are currently taking, including any that you have bought without a prescription
- X-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results you have which are related to your procedure
- Private health insurance card (if you want to use it)
- Aids (glasses, hearing aid, walking frame)
For a clinic appointment
If you come for a clinic appointment, you should also bring:
- Your appointment letter
- Any special items listed on your letter
- Your appointment book (if relevant)
- TAC or WorkCover claim number
For a day procedure
If you come for a day procedure, you should also bring:
- A responsible adult carer to stay with you to hear instructions, help you and take you home
- Dressing gown and slippers
Do not bring (for overnight or longer stay)
And if you're staying overnight or longer, do not bring:
- Your handbag, wallet, purse or large amounts of cash. Just bring a small amount for items such as newspapers, magazines or coffee
- Valuables, such as jewellery, watches or other items of value to you
Telehealth
Start your Telehealth video call at your appointment time by joining this waiting room
Virtual Surgery School (VSS) is an educational program designed to help patients prepare for surgery and improve their recovery outcomes.
VSS is made up of a series of videos and resources to teach patients ways they can improve their health before surgery, reduce complications, enhance recovery, and potentially shorten their hospital stay.