The Perioperative Medicine and Anaesthetic Departments work together to allow you to undergo operations and procedures in comfort and safety at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

Who is this service for?

A pre-operative assessment is for all patients who are having an operation or procedure where an anaesthetist will be involved. Once your surgeon has decided that you need surgery, the Pre-Operative Assessment Team will contact you to arrange your appointment.

Hospital signage for the pre-op departemnt
Team photo of the pre-op team
Pre-op waiting room

What do we do?

Our specially trained pre-operative nurses will check that you are healthy and prepared for your surgery and anaesthetic.

The aims of the service are to:

  • Make sure you are safe and as fit as possible for your operation
  • Help reduce any worries or concerns you may have
  • Give you clear written and verbal information about your hospital visit

Click on the buttons below to learn more about our service:

After seeing your surgeon, you will receive a text message inviting you to complete a health questionnaire called EPAQ.

This helps us:

  • Decide what type of appointment you need
  • Make sure you see the right healthcare professional

Plan your care safely and efficiently

A healthcare professional will talk with you about:

  • Your medical history
  • Any medications you take
  • Your lifestyle (for example smoking or alcohol use)

This information helps us choose the safest anaesthetic for you.
We are not here to judge - our only aim is to keep you safe.

Depending on your surgery, you may be offered one of the following:

  • General anaesthetic (you are asleep)
  • Spinal anaesthetic
  • Epidural anaesthetic
  • Local anaesthetic with sedation (you are relaxed and drowsy)

Your options will be explained and you will be able to ask questions.

For more detailed information aimed at healthcare professionals you may find this useful:

Most appointments take about one hour, depending on your medical history.

If your health needs are more complex, you may be asked to return for a further appointment with an anaesthetist.

Clinics are open:
Monday to Friday, 8am - 5.30pm

At both:

  • Royal Blackburn Hospital
  • Burnley General Hospital

Royal Blackburn Hospital
Centralised Pre-Operative Assessment - Level 1
Tel: 01254 733573

Burnley General Hospital
Pre-Operative Assessment - Area 3
Tel: 01282 803402

You can eat and drink normally on the day of your appointment.

Please bring:

  • A list of all medications you take (including over-the-counter medicines)
  • A list of any medical conditions and past operations
  • Any questions you have about your anaesthetic
  • A medical alert card (if you have one)
  • Medical implant information (if you have one)

Please do not bring valuables with you to hospital.

Friends and relatives are not allowed to interpret for you during your appointment.

If English is not your first language or you need a sign language interpreter, please contact the Pre-Operative Assessment Clinic as soon as possible so this can be arranged.

This appointment is an important part of preparing for your surgery.

If you cannot attend, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your appointment to another patient.

You can:

  • Call the number on your appointment letter
  • Use the rebook option on your text reminder
  • Use the cancel option on your text reminder

Your height, weight and blood pressure will be checked.
You may also have some additional tests if needed, such as:

  • Blood tests
  • Urine test (to check for infection)
  • MRSA swab (to check for a type of bacteria that can cause infection)
  • ECG (heart tracing)
  • Lung function test (peak flow)

Any infection or health issue must be treated before surgery can go ahead.

  • If we find any new health problems (such as high blood pressure or diabetes), you may be asked to see your GP
  • If further tests are needed, we will arrange these for you
  • In some cases, you may be asked to attend another appointment with a consultant anaesthetist to discuss your surgery and anaesthetic in more detail

Additional tests may include:

  • CPET (fitness test)
  • Echocardiogram (heart scan)
  • Spirometry (breathing test)

For some major operations, you may be asked to complete a fitness test called CPET.

If this is needed, you will receive a separate letter with more information.

All patients having planned hip or knee replacement surgery take part in the Enhanced Recovery Programme (ERP).

Before surgery, you will be invited to attend a class to:

  • Learn about your operation
  • Meet the healthcare team
  • Ask questions
  • See demonstration models and equipment
  • Help reduce worries and build confidence

The class lasts about 2 hours and refreshments are provided.

Toni Barton-Bell - Pre-Operative Assessment Manager