Coming into Highgate Hospital

We recognise that coming into hospital for surgery or treatment can be an unfamiliar and sometimes daunting experience. That’s why we aim to make your stay at Highgate Hospital as comfortable as possible.

Preparation

Before you come into hospital for treatment, it is vital that you follow any individual instructions given in your confirmation letter. For example, you may be required to refrain from eating and/or drinking prior to your operation and these instructions will all be noted in the letter. Please also observe any directions regarding x-rays, blood tests or other tests before admission.

You will need to remove any nail varnish, nail extensions, cosmetics and any metal clip hair extensions before your operation. Plain wedding bands may be worn but will need to be covered with tape during the surgery and other jewellery including body piercings will need to be removed.

What to bring with you

There are a number of items you may need to bring with you, even if you are just attending as a day case:

• Nightwear, dressing gown and slippers
• If you are staying for a few days, you may also like to bring casual clothing to wear towards the end of your recuperation or during any post-operative physiotherapy
• Personal toiletries (although items such as towels will be provided)
• Books or magazines to read during your stay
• Any medication you are currently taking in the original labelled containers
• Any relevant x-rays you may have and your insurance documentation, if applicable

We strongly recommend that you do not bring any valuables, jewellery, large amounts of cash, credit cards or cheque book. If this is unavoidable there are personal safes in most of the patient bedrooms which you can use. However, please note the Hospital cannot accept any responsibility for valuables kept on the premises.

Medication

If you were taking any medication prior to coming into hospital, you should be able to continue taking this yourself during your stay. Please pass your medication in its original packaging/bottle to your nurse who will make sure that it is safe for you to carry on taking.

Medical insurance

If you are paying for your treatment with private medical insurance, it is essential that you have checked the terms and conditions of your policy and obtained authorisation from your insurers prior to admission. Your insurer will issue you with an authorisation number or authorised claim form, which you must bring with you when you come into hospital. In the event that you have treatment and your insurer refuses to pay for the treatment, you will be liable for the charges incurred.

On arrival

We will take a swipe of your card details to cover any charges you may become liable for during your treatment. Your card details will be recorded and stored securely

Your time of arrival will have been confirmed in your admission letter. Whilst your time of admission does not always determine the time of your operation, it is important that you arrive on time as your consultant and anaesthetist will want to meet you before your operation. Patients are usually advised not to drive for a period of time after surgery. So, we would advise you to arrange for a relative or friend to drop you off at the hospital and collect you again on departure. Please also be aware that parking restrictions are in place on the roads surrounding the hospital.

Before your operation one of the nurses will check your blood pressure, pulse and temperature. Your consultant and anaesthetist will also visit you to confirm your medical history and answer any remaining pre-operative questions you may have. It is important that you tell them about any illnesses or allergies you may have or have suffered from in the past.