• McIndoe Surgical Centre
• Paediatric Surgery
• The Day of the Operation

You will be met in reception, usually by our paediatric nurse and shown to your room.
Once in your room several people will come to see you. These include:

A consultant – who you will have already met, he/she will talk to you about the operation and get permission (consent).

An anaesthetist – who will talk you through any medical problems and explain the anaesthetic process.

The nursing staff – who will prepare you for the operation by recording your temperature and weight, complete the pre-operation check list, apply a name band and local anaesthetic (magic cream) and explain the journey to theatre.

The food hostess – who will take your order for food after the operation. Children can choose from our special children’s menu and parents can choose from our daily selection and are encouraged to eat with their child. In the majority of operations regular eating and drinking is encouraged to aid healing and prevent infection occurring, especially with a tonsil or grommet operation.

Once you have met everyone your child’s paediatric nurse will get your child ready to go to the operating theatre. A parent is very welcome to walk down to theatre with their child and may stay in the anaesthetic room, whilst your child is anesthetised ready for the operation. Parents are then asked to go back to the room or reception area whilst the operation is performed. The length of time will depend on the procedure(s) that your child is having. An estimated time may be given.