Your planned care

We understand how important your health is to you, and that you may need to be supported whilst you wait for your appointment, operation or treatment. We are here for you and doing our best to get you the care you need as soon as possible.

Support while you wait:

The NHS has recently launched the My Planned Care Patient Digital Platform which gives you direct access to the latest average wait time information for the Trust, as well as helpful advice and support whilst you wait.

We encourage you to look at this site where you may find the information you need before contacting your GP or hospital for an update about any elective procedures you are waiting for.

The site is updated weekly, the site is easy-to-use and is ‘open-access’ so your carer, friends, relatives, and your NHS team can also access this information.

As well as wait time information, the platform also includes helpful details about how to manage your pain, mental health, keeping healthy and accessing financial help and other local support whilst you wait. It can also help you to prepare for your appointment/operation, including how to make a plan for your care and treatment alongside your healthcare professional.

NHS app

The NHS App gives you a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services.

You need to prove who you are to get full access to the NHS App. With full access you can:

  • order repeat prescriptions and nominate a pharmacy where you would like to collect them
  • book and manage appointments
  • view your GP health record to see information like your allergies and medicines (if your GP has given you access to your detailed medical record, you can also see information like test results)
  • book and manage COVID-19 vaccinations
  • register your organ donation decision
  • choose how the NHS uses your data
  • view your NHS number
  • use NHS 111 online to answer questions and get instant advice or medical help near you
  • Look at local waiting times for procedures 

Preparing for surgery

If you are waiting for surgery, there may be things you can do to improve your symptoms depending on the type of procedure you are waiting for. As Covid-19 has made it more likely you are waiting longer for surgery, it is an opportunity to work on what you could do to improve your overall wellness. 

This might mean that you no longer need to have the surgery or you can ensure you are as well as possible before surgery which may help you when you are recovering and in the longer term.

Having an operation puts strain on your body therefore the fitter you are, the more likely it is that you will recover faster, have less complications and spend a shorter time in hospital.

There are studies which show that:

  • Smokers are much more likely to experience complications or die after an operation
  • Being obese can double your risk of blood clots, cardiac complications and infections

Other risk factors include:

  • Physical inactivity
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Being very underweight

What you can do

Consider setting yourself goals, record them somewhere and keep track of your progress. This may be in relation to:

  • Exercising – even if it is a gentle walk depending on your condition
  • Sticking to healthy foods – your body needs good nutrition to fight infection and heal following surgery
  • Quitting smoking
  • Reducing alcohol consumption or stopping drinking alcohol
  • Getting a good night’s sleep
Useful links: