Waiting for trauma and orthopaedic surgery

A guide for patients at home or in hospital who have a new injury that requires surgery by orthopaedic surgeons on the trauma list.

What happens now?

We send a large proportion of our patient’s home so they don’t have to stay in hospital to wait for surgery when they are generally fit and well.

You may need time for swelling to go down, for us to monitor the injury, or to make sure surgery is the best solution.

When will I have my surgery?

The doctor who assessed the injury will have given you an indication of how urgent it is, which could be from a day to a couple of weeks.

We may not call immediately: One of the orthopaedic team will call you roughly 24-48 hours before your surgery.

Sometimes if we have cancellations we may call last minute on the off chance you can make it.

Is the time allocated guaranteed?

Unfortunately because it is an emergency trauma list, it can be subject to change as urgent trauma cases can take priority.

If I have questions, who can I ask?

If you have any concerns or queries whilst waiting for surgery, our Trauma Coordinator is available Monday - Friday, 8am - 4pm on 07825174443.

Weekend contact number

Surgical Admissions Lounge

T. 020874653316

Chelsea and Westminster switchboard

T: 020 3315 6666

Do I need anything before the operation?

All patients will have a routine MRSA swab.

Some people may require some tests such as 

  • Blood tests
  • X-rays & Scans
  • Heart trace (ECG)

You may be sent home with Blood thinning injections.

When do I stop eating and drinking?

We will ask you to arrive at the hospital at a time depending on which surgeon will be doing the operation

For a 07:15 arrival

  • Please don’t have anything to eat after midnight, you may drink water only up to 6am

For an 11:30 arrival

  • A light breakfast may be had until 6am and you may drink water until 10am

Departments you may need to go for treatment

Treatment centre

A day surgery department where you will check-in, have surgery, and go home the same day.

  • Entrance is on nightingale place on the left hand side of the hospital when approaching the main entrance.

Surgical assessment lounge (SAL)

This may be where you are asked to come prior to your surgery. It is for patients having day surgery as well as those staying in hospital afterwards.

David Evans ward

  • Take lift D (at the back of the hospital) to the 5th floor. David Evans Ward should be to your left
  • Check in at the Surgical Assessment Lounge.

Fracture clinic and plaster room

You may not necessarily have a fracture but this is where all the orthopaedic clinics are held. If you have a cast, brace or dressing that needs reviewing, that will be done here.