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Pre-operative Assessment

Posted By Polmac

"Pre-operative Assessment"

About: Trauma & orthopaedics / Orthopaedic National Treatment Centre

(as the patient),

I had difficulty finding Car Park H as suggested in the letter inviting me for a pre-operative assessment. Ended up parking a long way away from the NTC and walking a fair distance on a gammy knee. Some signage would have helped. Greeted in Main Entrance to the Hospital by a friendly volunteer who directed me to the NTC, some 400m away in the next Building.

Arrived 25 minutes early for my appointment. Reception logged me into the computer and asked me to wait in Area 1. I sat down and took out my mobile expecting a bit of a wait. No sooner had I opened my phone I was called to be weighed and Height checked. I was then directed to Area 3 for the next step.

I barely had time to sit down when the Consultant, Mr Howard, called me into his room.
We had a great chat and everything was thoroughly explained and my questions answered. Following an examination of my bad knee we agreed a mutually convenient date for my operation and I left.
Outside the room I was met by Jeanette who led me into the adjoining room. There my medical  history was taken and bloods taken. An ECG followed and again we had a detailed chat about my operation and the procedures involved.
I was in and out in 75 minutes - pretty efficient.
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Responses

Response from Yvonne Robson, Senior Charge Nurse, Orthopaedic National Treatment Service, NHS Fife last month
Yvonne Robson
Senior Charge Nurse, Orthopaedic National Treatment Service,
NHS Fife

Submitted on 06/11/2025 at 09:41
Published on Care Opinion at 09:41

picture of Yvonne Robson

Good morning

My name is Yvonne, I am the Senior Charge Nurse within the Orthopaedic Outpatient Department in the National Treatment Centre. Thank you so very much for taking the time to provide feedback of your experience, please accept my apology for the delay in replying.

I am so sorry to read of your difficulty parking, hospital parking is a challenge for many patients and I fully appreciate the frustration this causes. I will certainly share your feedback regarding signage with our estates department, this is excellent feedback for us to create an improvement.

I am so pleased to hear of your very positive and efficient visit to the Orthopaedic Department. As a team we strive to ensure all of our patients are seen in a calm and supportive environment and that your care is delivered in a timely manner. We work exceptionally hard making sure each and every patient is treated as an individual, is listened to, heard, involved in the decision making and given care tailored exactly to their needs. I am delighted to hear that this was your experience.

Positive feedback really motivates us to keep working hard and continue to strive for clinical excellence. I will share your wonderful feedback with Mr Howard, the volunteer service, reception staff, pre-assessment team and nursing team.

I wish you well in your orthopaedic journey and look forward to welcoming you back to the National Treatment Centre for your future care.

Best Wishes

Yvonne

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Response from Stephanie Allan, Interim Charge Nurse, Pre-assessment Suite, NHS Fife last month
Stephanie Allan
Interim Charge Nurse, Pre-assessment Suite,
NHS Fife

Submitted on 07/11/2025 at 14:32
Published on Care Opinion at 14:32

picture of Stephanie Allan

Hi,

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on your pre-assessment appointment. I am delighted to hear that you felt the whole process was very efficient. Although there is a lot to get through it is important to us that the appointment process moves smoothly between the healthcare professionals and patient's feel well supported during this time.

I am aware of the challenge patients have with parking. I will discuss your feedback with the teams involved in providing information sent out via letter advising to use car park H and look at how we can improve the directions.

On behalf of the pre-assessment team I wish you well with your upcoming surgery and recovery.

Kind regards

Stephanie Allan

Senior Charge Nurse

Pre-assessment department, VHK.

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