Empowering patients to prepare for surgery, discharge and post-operative recovery 

Problems with bed capacity, delayed discharges and patient flow are widespread throughout the NHS. Better shared decision making, better preparation for both surgery and recovery, consistent messaging from the wider healthcare team and earlier discharge planning should be part of the solution.

Proactive physical, psychological and practical preparation from the point of contemplation of surgery can reduce complications by up to 50% and length of stay by 1-2 days (1). This benefits patients and the wider NHS. Yet, 43% of patients report deteriorating health whilst they wait for elective inpatient surgery (2), and 19% of patients feel that with more choice and control over decisions, they might have decided against surgery (3).

Unpublished data from our 2021 patient survey indicated patients would like more information and support both with preparing for surgery, and preparing for recovery. The resources on this page are designed to meet this need empowering patients to actively prepare for surgery and be active participants in their postoperative recovery.

References

1. Centre for Perioperative Care. Perioperative care - the key to reducing waiting lists 2023. Available from: https://cpoc.org.uk/guidelines-and-resources/guidelines-resources/resources/key-reducing-waiting-lists

2. Care Quality Commission. Adult inpatient survey 2023: statistical release. 2024. Available from: https://www.cqc.org.uk/publications/surveys/adult-inpatient-survey 

3. Personalised Care Institute. A New Dawn for the NHS: A Manifesto for Putting Personalised Care at the Centre. 2024. Available from: https://www.personalisedcareinstitute.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Report_-A-manifesto-for-putting-personalised-care-at-the-centre-1.pdf 

Our information leaflet for patients (and carers), co-produced with our Patient and Public Engagement Network is relevant for all surgery - elective and emergency, day case and inpatient, and all specialties. 

It covers what to ask, think about and do from when surgery is first discussed up until discharge from hospital to support patients to prepare for surgery and participate in their postoperative recovery. 

Our resource for healthcare professionals emphasises how the wider healthcare team can work together to support patients. It covers 9 key themes throughout the surgical pathway which are essential for empowering patients to prepare for surgery and to be active participants in their recovery following surgery.

Project team

Miss Claire Frank – CPOC Fellow (Project Lead)

Professor Jugdeep Dhesi – CPOC Deputy Director

Mr Lawrence Mudford – CPOC Patient Lead

Mr Bob Evans – CPOC Patient and Public Engagement Network

Mrs Frances Pitt – CPOC Patient and Public Engagement Network

Acknowledgements

With thanks to the CPOC executive team, CPOC board members and individuals from Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for their guidance, contributions and support