The pre-operative assessment service plays an integral part in the provision of a streamlined pathway for the admission of adult patients requiring elective day case and in-patient surgery. It covers several specialities including trauma/orthopaedics, general surgery, colo-rectal surgery, urology, gynaecology and oro-facial procedures.

  • Our practice is evidence based which minimises risk and provides a safe environment.
  • Multi-disciplinary working ensures that all elements of the patient pathway are addressed in a timely manner.
  • We work in partnership with patients/carers, so they can make informed choices about their care.
  • Patient assessment ensures the patient is physically fit for surgery and psychologically prepared for the admission, operation and rehabilitation.
  • Social issues are identified and timely discharge planning commences.
  • We maintain the privacy/dignity of our patients, respect their wishes and ensure confidentiality is guaranteed
  • We encompass any specific patient needs: learning disabilities, mental health needs, sensory impairment
  • We respect religious / cultural and personal beliefs and try our best to facilitate any specific requests

This comprehensive patient service also helps to achieve national and Trust targets ensuring quality care is delivered.

Our vision

We aim to provide a high quality service adopting a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure individual patient needs are addressed, thus minimising risk and promoting safe practice.

Our service staff will have specialist training in the field of patient assessment and utilise current evidence and research to deliver a clinically efficient and cost effective service.

We are committed to patient centred care and are aware of the importance of fostering good relationships by listening to anxieties and concerns and finding ways to overcome them together. Our patients and their carers will participate in the decision making process, allowing them to make informed choices relating to their treatment and care plans.

We will respect the privacy, dignity and individual beliefs of our patients and ensure that any information given to us remains confidential. It will only be shared with those professionals involved in the patient’s journey that are required to know, to deliver the appropriate care and treatment.

We will listen to the views and suggestions of our service users to identify positive aspects of our work and areas needing more attention. This will help us to shape future service provision.

A democratic style of leadership within our service, and the Trust as a whole, will help to ensure that our staff feel valued, thus motivating them to maintain their own personal growth and professional development.

We want our patients to CHOOSE South Tyneside because we are SAFE, CARING, EFFECTIVE, RESPONSIVE AND WELL LED!

Who we are

  • Clinical Lead/Manager – Sr. Pauline Franklin
  • Specialist Sister/Nurse Assessor – Sr. Helen Robinson
  • Specialist Sister/Nurse Assessor -  Sr. Lindsay Young
  • Health Care Support Worker – Anne Neilson

How you can contact us
  • Reception: 0191 4041067

Where you can find us

3rd Floor, Ingham Wing, South Tyneside District Hospital

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