Patient Journey
at The Horder Centre

Your initial visit will start at reception where you can expect a warm and friendly greeting. Reception staff will check your identification and reason for your visit. If you are an outpatient you may well be free to visit our coffee shop until your appointment time is reached.

At the Horder Centre we use a system whereby your name is entered onto the computer and then the staff from the relevant department can call you through using an audible alert. This will be explained to you on your arrival. This allows you to wait anywhere within the coffee shop or reception areas.

The coffee shop offers hot drinks, including freshly ground coffee and pots of tea, with a delicious choice of cakes freshly made on site. There is a variety of food available throughout the day including freshly made sandwiches and cakes.

Just a short distance away from reception is the main Outpatient area. It is here that you will be checked in to meet with one of our consultants or a member of our multi-disciplinary team.

Our consultants are here to advise you on any treatment options that may be open to you. Further tests or examinations may be needed before any decisions can be made. These tests could be carried out on the same day or a further appointment may be necessary. Alternatively, we may need to arrange further investigations via your GP.

Treatment options may include a course of physiotherapy, joint injections, medication, surgery or a further follow up consultation in a few months time. The decision for treatment will be a joint one made by you and your consultant. The outcome of your decision will be shared with your GP.

If surgery is agreed as the best course of treatment, the risks and benefits will be outlined to you during your consultation and your written consent will be gained for the procedure. We will talk to you about the length of stay needed for your procedure which could vary from a day, an overnight stay or a longer period of time.

If you and your consultant decide surgery at The Horder Centre is the right choice, our team are here to help you every step of the way. To prepare, our Outpatient Department will conduct a few pre-operative tests, such as checking your vital signs, taking blood samples, and possibly performing an ECG.

We’re pleased to offer an interactive digital pre-assessment tool called Lifebox, which makes the process more convenient. You’ll receive an invitation with all the details and an email link to the Lifebox site will be sent to you to complete a health questionnaire online. Our Pre-assessment Team will review this information to ensure everything is ready for your procedure.

The pre-admission process at The Horder Centre is designed to ensure you’re fully prepared for your surgery and recovery, while also confirming your readiness for the procedure. During this process, we’ll go over each part of your journey so you know exactly what to expect. We’ll cover the type of anaesthesia options, any exercises or equipment that might be helpful, and how your pain relief will be managed.

Our Bookings Team will reach out to let you know which pre-assessment appointments are needed. For many patients, this includes a mix of a phone call and a clinic visit, although the specifics depend on your medical history, planned surgery, and any outpatient test results. You may also meet with an anaesthetist or physiotherapist/occupational therapist if needed.

You’ll have access to helpful, procedure-specific information in your Lifebox pre-assessment portal. In some cases, certain health conditions mean surgery can’t take place at our hospital, and if so, we’ll inform you as early as possible. Occasionally, we may need to delay surgery to conduct further assessments, and we’ll keep you updated should that happen.

It is normal practice for all patients to be admitted to our Day Services Unit. To give you familiarity this is staffed by the same clinicians who will have done your pre-assessment. All the relevant staff will see you prior to your operation such as; the consultant surgeon, the anaesthetist and the nursing and therapy staff. Any risk assessments will be reviewed such as whether you are at risk of blood clots.

You will be encouraged to stay in your own clothes for as long as possible and be free to walk around until the time of your surgery when you may be required to change into a hospital gown and dressing gown. Your property will be kept safe in either a locker in the unit, or if there is a plan for you to stay overnight, it will be taken to your room on Dufferin ward. Any medication that you bring in will also be stored safely until you return from theatre.

Unless you are unable to do so, you are encouraged to walk to theatre, accompanied by one of our theatre porters.

If you are here for a day case procedure, after your operation you will return to a cubicle in the Day Services Unit where you can recover prior to discharge. You may stay in the cubicle to have refreshments or if you are well enough you may move to the discharge lounge prior to leaving the department.

The nursing and therapy staff will ensure that you have everything you need prior to discharge, including sick certificates, painkillers, any specific post-operative instructions and, if appropriate, an outpatient appointment. You will also receive a discharge summary which will inform you of what has occurred during your stay.

Even though you are only having day surgery it is advisable for you to be accompanied when you leave by a friend or family member. Please remember that you should not drive after any type of anaesthetic as it could invalidate your insurance.

If you need to stay overnight or for any longer length of stay, after surgery you will be transferred to your own room on Dufferin ward. Your possessions will already be in your room. On arrival in the room, you will be met by the ward nurse, who will monitor you carefully over the next few hours. The nurse will ensure that you have access to a nurse call bell and any personal items that you require. Should our inpatients require treatment exceeding our on-site capabilities, we have established protocols with our local NHS partners to ensure a seamless continuation of their care.

Your mobilisation and recovery will continue from here. Members of the multi-disciplinary team such as physiotherapist and occupational therapists, the resident medical officer (doctor) and nursing teams will work together to aid your journey. You may visit the inpatient gym for group physiotherapy sessions on a daily basis.

Following your episode of care, your discharge from hospital will be discussed and reviewed with you, ensuring that any concerns you have are taken into consideration. Sometimes it may be necessary to extend your stay for medical reasons. At other times, further treatment may be arranged such as more physiotherapy before you go home.

On discharge you will receive written information, any appropriate medication and an outpatient follow up appointment with your specialist. Sometimes an appointment will be made for you to have any stitches removed at your GP surgery or a district nurse may come to your own home to assess your wound.

A summary of your care received at the Horder Centre will be sent to your GP.

It is advisable that you arrange transport to and from the hospital with a friend or family member. We do offer limited hospital transport to those in need; please contact our bookings department on 01892 620932 for details.