Mayhill Unit
Hospital
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Contact
Level 1, Main Block, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
The Mayhill unit at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital cares for patients who come in for surgery.
The unit is located in the main corridor concourse, above the pharmacy. You can use the lift to the right of the stairway to get to the Mayhill unit.
What to expect
Your appointment letter will confirm what time you should arrive at the unit on the day of your surgery, please note that this is not the time of your surgery.
The nurses will check your general health, and your consultant and anaesthetist (if appropriate) will visit you before you before your surgery. You may also need to give a blood sample or have other tests.
If you need a sick note to be prepared before you go home, speak to one of the nurses when you get to the unit. If you require a week or less off work following your surgery, you will be advised to self-certify.
Preparing for your surgery
Keep taking your regular medication on the lead up to your surgery, unless you have been advised to stop taking it by the hospital.
Ensure that you have basic analgesia at home i.e. paracetamol, Ibuprofen. The hospital will supply any other medication you will require.
You should have a bath or shower before arriving on the unit, and wash your hair. It’s particularly important that the area of your body due to be operated on is clean, as this reduces the risk of infection.
You will receive details of fasting before your surgery. Once you are unable to have anything by mouth, you should not:
- drink tea, coffee, or other drinks
- chew gum
- suck mints or sweets
What to bring
If your procedure is planned as a day case
- comfortable clothing to wear following surgery i.e. loose fitting, elasticated waist
- medication, including a list of what you are taking and your dosage
- books, magazines, mobile phone – you may be waiting for a time pre-operatively
- any food you wish to have post-operatively that we cannot provide i.e. gluten free, lactose free
Your belongings will be kept safe in a locker whilst you are having your surgery and will be returned when you come back to Mayhill.
If you are being admitted as a surgical admission (staying overnight)
- books, magazines, mobile phone – you may be waiting for a time pre-operatively and you may want these on the ward post-operatively
- dressing gown
- slippers
- toiletries
- comfortable clothes to travel home in
- medicine, including a list of what you are taking and your dosage
You should leave valuables at home, along with large amounts of cash, credit cards, and valuable portable devices.
Your other belongings will be taken to the ward while you have your surgery. Please let us know if there is anything that needs to be locked away.
Going home
Once you meet all discharge criteria, you will be discharged home. You will be given instructions and contact numbers in case you have any problems after your surgery.
You will also need to arrange for someone to stay at home with you for 24 hours after you have had your surgery.
We will not be able to send you home by yourself if you have had a general or spinal anaesthetic or any form of sedation.
You may also get a follow up outpatient’s appointment if appropriate, along with advice on:
- rest
- diet
- activity
- pain control
- dressings
- wound care
The following day, you will receive a phone call to check how you are and answer any questions you may have.