What is a ‘Short Notice’ patient?

Following the pandemic, waiting lists for surgery are longer and we are seeing more patients cancel their operation on the day or the day before due to being unwell or unforeseen circumstances. We call this a ‘short notice cancellation’.

To help with that, we are preparing to have a list of patients across our specialties who will be able to have their operation at short notice. 

What does it mean to be a ‘Short Notice‘ patient?

• If any routine patients cannot have their booked operation on that day, you will be contacted, and you will be able to have your operation that day.
• If you have agreed to be available at short notice you will be booked on to the end of your surgeon's operating list.
• You will then be contacted on the day of the operation; you would receive a phone call between 9:00 am - 9.30am.
• If you can have your operation on that day, you would need to be able to arrive at the hospital between 10:00 - 11:00am on that day.
• If you are not able to have your operation that day, as a short notice patient, you will be contacted by your consultant’s secretary.
• You would also be offered the opportunity to be a short notice patient again; this would be on an earlier date than the planned date for your operation and would not affect your place on the waiting list. However, you do not have to be a short notice patient again if you do not wish to be.

How do you become a ‘Short Notice‘ patient?

• During your outpatient appointment, if the decision is made that you require surgery you will be asked by your surgeon if you are available to come in at short notice.
• Not all consultants can offer ‘short notice ‘ patient operation dates.
• If you do not wish to be a short notice patient, this will not affect the care you receive or your place on the waiting list.

If you have any further questions about being a standby patient, please contact your consultant’s secretary.