The Waiting Well Service

How to get ready for your surgery

You have been given this leaflet because you are on the list for a surgical procedure at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust and you are eligible for support from the Waiting Well Service.

The Waiting Well Service

The service has trained staff who can help you become fitter for your surgery and help you to improve your general health and wellbeing. We offer many types of support. Some areas where we can support are;

• Social Care.
• Mental Health.
• Financial Issues.
• Understanding what will happen to you in hospital.

After receiving this leaflet and your letter you should get a phone call from one of our staff to ask if we can support you. If you do not received a call within a week please contact us using the contact details in this leaflet.

We are working hard to serve every patient quickly, looking at each person’s illness and their level of medical need.

What will get me ready for surgery?

These things will help you to get ready for surgery:

• Stopping smoking.
• Eating well and weight management.
• Managing your existing health problems well.
• Reducing your alcohol intake.
• Being active where possible.
• Getting rest and feeling mentally well.

We want to support you to be in the best health ready for your surgery. Any surgery has risk and always takes a toll on the body.

As your surgery date gets closer, it is important that you are as fit and as prepared as you can be. This will help you be as healthy as possible for surgery and improve your recovery and long-term health.

This leaflet contains lots of advice, tips and support to help you get ready for surgery and how you can recover as quickly as possible.

If you need extra help to make the changes that are right for you, please contact the Waiting Well Team on:

Telephone: 01429 522444

E-mail: [email protected]

How can I manage my existing health problems?

If you have other long-term health problems, it is very important to go to your regular review appointments and keep taking your medication as prescribed.

Some medicines need to be stopped before surgery – please make sure your hospital team knows about any medication you take (prescribed, over-the-counter medicines or vitamin/herbal supplements) so they can advise you before you have your procedure.

You will be asked in clinic and pre-assessment about any medicines you take.

While you wait for surgery, if there are any changes to any medications, or you have been prescribed new medication, please contact the appropriate hospital team (Pre-assessment or Waiting Well team).

If you have a newly diagnosed health condition, again please contact the appropriate hospital team.

Movement is Medicine

You will not be putting yourself at risk by carrying out a safe level of physical activity.

All evidence suggests the benefits of moving more outweigh the risks. Physical activity is safe, even for people living with long-term conditions. There is safe, low risk exercise for everyone.

If you don’t move a lot, the key is to start small and do whatever suits you – a gentle stroll, playing with the kids or even chair exercises. There is something for everyone and we aim to help you find it.

Moving more will help you lose a little weight, improve your heart and lungs and make you feel better and improve your mental health.

All of these will help your body cope with surgery and recovery.

Any activity and movement you can do is good. It is better if you can build it up slowly and add it to your daily life. Even a little activity is better than none.

If you are not sure what is safe, speak to your GP or health team. Have a look at the further information section for weblinks to help with this.

Preparing for surgery

None of the following tips needs special equipment or expensive clothes or shoes and they do not require gym memberships. Most can fit into busy days and could easily become part of your everyday life.

Going for a walk – For a lot of people this is an easy way of safe physical activity. If you cannot walk, there are other ways to exercise.
If you can take a regular walk around the block or through the local park, it will soon help more than you can imagine. If you can manage to walk a little quicker, even better.

Cardio workout

Dancing – Yes, dancing! Put on your favourite tunes and have a dance, alone or with someone else.

Swimming – When your body is in water, almost every muscle is being stretched. Swimming is one of the best forms of physical activity possible. This is low impact on the body and it can help if you cannot manage too much walking.

If you can safely manage a couple of swims a week, even if it is only a few lengths, you really should give it a go. It is also a lot of fun.

Cycling – A ride on a roadworthy bike, wearing a helmet at all times, is a very helpful activity.

Running – Running can have huge benefits, but please make sure you have proper running shoes and take it easy to begin with.  Perhaps try jogging and walking for your first few weeks.

If you can afford it, trying out a local running club with other beginners would help.

You should stop and seek medical attention if you experience a sudden increase in your symptoms.

How do I eat well and manage my weight?

If you are overweight, losing weight before surgery can help with your recovery.

A weight management programme can make weight loss much easier and more enjoyable.

The Waiting Well team can give you advice that is right for you and where to go for help and support, wherever you live.

The NHS Better Health site has lots of top tips, you can download a free app which includes a personalised 12 week weight loss plan. See further information for a link to the website.

Even if you don’t need to lose weight, your health will benefit from a balanced diet.

What is a balanced diet?

Making a big change to your diet can be hard to maintain. A few simple swaps, such as:

• cutting back on sugar and salt,
• eating more greens,
• reducing your fat intake,
• grilling instead of frying.

The Waiting Well Team can help you get advice on diet and may help with advice on food costs if this is a worry for you.

Alcohol

It may be tempting to reach for a drink while you are waiting for your operation, but we advise you not to do this.

The more alcohol you drink, the higher the risk of complications from surgery. This includes bleeding and infection, so cutting down will make your surgery safer.

There is no truly safe level of drinking and the government advises no more than 14 units of alcohol per week for both men and women.

If you are regularly drinking 14 units or more in a week, or feel you need a drink, you can get some useful advice and help from the NHS. See further information for links.

If you are dependent on alcohol, it can be dangerous to stop suddenly. Speak to your Doctor about reducing your drinking safely.

If you need more help, you can find your local alcohol support service by looking at the websites in further information.

Smoking

If you want to stop smoking and you live in Stockton, please call 01642 383819, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm for their smoking cessation service.

If you live in Hartlepool, please call 01429 272905, Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm or Friday 9am to 4:30pm for their smoking cessation service.

Another option is to call the National Smokefree Helpline on 0300 123 1044, Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm.

Getting rest and feeling mentally well

Waiting for medical treatment and perhaps worrying about the outcomes can cause stress and affect our mental health.

Please make sure you are not bottling up any worries or concerns.

Talk to your friends and family and if you feel you would benefit from professional help, your GP can refer you to an NHS counsellor.

The Waiting Well Service can also help and refer or signpost you to organisations that can help you. See further information for links to some advice.

If you feel you are in need of immediate help or having suicidal thoughts, please get help straight away by calling your GP, 111 or Samaritans on 116 123. If your life is in immediate danger, call 999.

There is always help available.

Getting Organised for Surgery

It is easy to underestimate how tired you will be after surgery.

If you have care responsibilities for family, friends or pets, getting them sorted will help you to focus on your own health, so make a support plan with friends or family.

If you think you will face serious problems in arranging safe care, speak to your local council, health visitor or carer’s organisation.

Again, the Waiting Well Service many be able to help.

Further Information

NHS Live Well – Exercises
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise

NHS Live Well – 45 minute wake up workout
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitness-studio/wake-up-workout

NHS Better Health – 12 week weight loss plan
https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/lose-weight

NHS Alcohol Support – Guidance on drinking less
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-support

NHS Better Health – Drink less
https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/drink-less

NHS Live Well – Sleep and Tiredness
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sleep-and-tiredness

NHS – Mental health
www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

My pre-surgery checklist:

Smoking

• If I smoke, get in touch with someone who can help me quit.

Eating well and managing weight

• Think about what I eat and try some healthier options.

• If I need to lose weight, contact the weight management service or seek advice from the Waiting Well Team.

Regular medication and other health issues

• Make sure I go to my planned review appointments including dental check-ups.

• Tell my surgeon or pre-assessment nurse about my conditions and my medication.

• Note down if and when I need to stop any of my medications before surgery.

Alcohol

• Try to reduce my alcohol intake as much as possible (seeking medical help first if I am dependent on alcohol).

Being active

• Think about how I can be as active as possible in my day.

Mental wellbeing and rest

• Think about things I can do to improve my mental wellbeing.

• Try breathing exercises.

• Make a plan for my caring responsibilities.

• Think about coming home and what support and help I might need after surgery.

Tips for coming into hospital

• Plan how you will travel to and from the hospital. If you are a day case, you may not be able to drive home – please check with Pre-assessment or the Waiting Well Team. If you need help – let us know.

• Read any letter/instructions you have received. If you need help or advice, contact us.

• Have you been asked to bring in your medicines? Please bring your medications in their original packaging if so.

• If you have a mobile phone – bring your charger. If you are in hospital for more than one day, please bring some comfortable day clothes, a coat and well-fitting shoes that won’t slip off, so you can be up and about as much as possible during the day.

Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints

Patient Experience Team (PET)

We are continually trying to improve the services we provide. We want to know what we’re doing well or if there’s anything which we can improve, that’s why the Patient Experience Team (PET) is here to help. Our Team is here to try to resolve your concerns. The office is based at the University Hospital of North Tees if you wish to discuss concerns in person. Our contact details are:

Telephone: 01642 624719
Freephone: 0800 092 0084
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm
Email: [email protected]

Out of hours

Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person.
Telephone: 01642 617617

Patient, Public and People with Lived Experience

We are looking for patients to share their experiences of healthcare and to join our Involvement Bank. Working with the patients, carers, families and the general population we support in making decisions about their care can lead to better health outcomes, increased patient satisfaction and a better overall experience. We want to listen and work with you in shaping the future of your healthcare services. To find out more about the Involvement Bank go to our website or contact us at:

Website: www.nth.nhs.uk/about/community/people-with-lived-experience
Email: [email protected]

Data protection and use of patient information

The Trust has developed Data Protection policies in accordance with Data Protection Legislation (UK General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All of our staff respect these policies and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you require further information on how we process your information please see our Privacy Notices.

Telephone: 01642 383551

Email: [email protected]

Leaflet feedback

This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team at:

Email: [email protected]