For Patients

Improving patient experience and quality of care is at the heart of what we do

In this section you will find links to patient information leaflets produced in collaboration with CPOC or one of our partners, along with Fitter Better Sooner resources, to help people prepare for their surgery. 
 

What is Perioperative Care?

Perioperative care is about tracking your journey as a patient from the moment you are considered for referral for treatment for a condition from your GP to recovery from an operation or treatment and being discharged back home.

Following your journey as a patient means that teams of professionals can make sure you are as fit as possible for surgery and manage any other conditions you may have to ensure that after your operation/treatment you can recover as quickly as possible and reduce the risks of having any complications that mean you would need to stay in hospital longer, reduce your quality of life and delay returning home to daily life.

From the start of the journey, you should be involved in decisions about your care. You have a choice about what treatment is right for you based on your individual circumstances and what is important to you. Up to 14% of patients express regret going ahead with surgery so it is very important you are sure this is the treatment option you would like to pursue. 

What are the benefits to you?

Our CPOC Evidence Reviews have shown that perioperative care improves your patient experience of care, including the quality of care you receive, satisfaction with care, improve your overall health and helps get you return to home/work after your operation quicker by reducing your risks after an operation.

  • Improved wellbeing
  • Improved psychological outcomes
  • Fewer post operation complications
  • Decreased hospital length of stay
  • Fewer hospital readmissions after discharge 
  • Better quality of care

Perioperative care is about improving the care you receive for your benefit.

You have a choice to decide what treatment is right for you

You have a choice to decide if the suggested treatment is the right option for you. Your doctor should practice Shared decision making (SDM) where you work with your clinical team to decide what is important to you and if the suggested treatment option is right for you. This may be to select a test or intervention such as going ahead with surgery. SDM ensures you are supported to make decisions for you. 

Find out more and view our shared decision making page.

Patient Resources

Patient and laughter

Your Perioperative Journey
Advice and guidance on what you can do to take an active role in getting the best outcome from your surgery
Patient and surgeon

Shared Decision Making
Shared decision making is a process in which clinicians and patients work together to select tests, treatments, management or support packages, based on clinical evidence and the patient’s informed preferences
Fitter Better Sooner

Fitter, Better, Sooner
Fitter patients who are able to improve their health and activity levels, recover from surgery more quickly
Patient Information

Patient Information Leaflets
Information for patients on what to expect on their perioperative journey
Preop consultation

Having an operation during the COVID-19 pandemic
A series of FAQs addressing concerns that you may have about going to hospital during the pandemic and to offer advice on how you can best prepare for your operation
FAQ

Guidance for young people 'My Operation and Coronavirus
CPOC has develop an FAQ for young patients who will be going into hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Do you have patient resources you would like to share?
Get in touch if you would like us to share your resources on our website and in wider communications.

Email CPOC