Pre-assessment clinic

Coming to a pre-assessment clinic can be different to any other appointments your child might have had before. Here is some information that will help you prepare for the pre-assessment clinic.

We recommend that you watch our specially created films about pre-assessment and the day of the operation with your child to help them understand what will happen when they come to hospital. 

 

What is a pre-assessment clinic?

If your child needs to have an operation, or any planned test involving a general anaesthetic, you will be asked to attend a pre-assessment clinic.

At this appointment, we will make sure your child is fit for their general anaesthetic. You will also be given information about what will happen on the day of your child’s operation or planned test before their hospital stay. You and your child will get the chance to ask any questions you want.

Please make sure you bring a list of any medication that your child may be taking, including any over-the-counter or alternative medicines.

During your appointment

A specialist nurse or nursing assistant will meet you and your child, check your child’s medical history and take down any information needed before your child can have their operation or planned test.

The nurse or nursing assistant will take your child’s blood pressure, pulse, temperature and oxygen levels as well as measuring their height and weight. They will also take swabs; this is routine and checks for any infections that might affect your child’s operation or planned test. If necessary, your child will also have a physical examination which you may be present for.

Please allow at least one to two hours for your appointment as your child may need additional tests. These tests may include:

If your child needs any of these tests but it isn’t possible to do them on the day of your appointment, we will arrange them for another time before your child’s stay in hospital.

Before your appointment

If your child is unwell at any point in the seven days leading up to their operation or planned test, please let us know. Call the bed manager on 020 7188 7188 and choose the option for the bleep desk. Once you are connected, dial bleep number 0821 and wait for a response. This number can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

How to find us

Ground floor, South Wing, Block B
St Thomas' Hospital
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH

Map of Ground Floor, South Wing (PDF 138Kb)

Contacts

Pre-assessment reception

Tel: 020 7188 7188, extension 58209

Bed manager

Tel: 020 7188 7188

Choose the option for the bleep desk.
Once connected, dial bleep number 0821 and wait for the response. This number can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

What is a general anaesthetic?

This means that your child will be going to sleep for their operation or planned test.

More information can be found on our general anaesthetic leaflet (PDF 77Kb)

British Medical Association Patient Information Award

The films Pre-assessment and Operations: What to Expect at Evelina London were awarded Runner-Up at the 2017 Patient Information Awards.

BMA Patient information awards runner up