Barwon Health recognises that cancellations have a significant impact on the lives of the consumer and that regretfully it happens sometimes. Surgery may be cancelled due to a more urgent case requiring surgery, an emergency case, or due to a shortage in hospital beds. It may also be cancelled if there is an unexpected problem with a case before you. Whilst every effort is taken not to cancel/postpone surgery, unfortunately, we have no control over emergencies or the number of patients within the hospital already. If your surgery is postponed, we endeavour to give you an alternate date at the time of the cancellation.
If you need to cancel your surgery for any reason, you should contact the waiting list office (via the hospital switchboard, ph. 4215 0000) as soon as possible. They may be able to bring another patient in for surgery on this day. If you cancel surgery too many times, the surgeons may wish to review you in the Outpatient Department, or may remove you from the waiting list.
If your surgery is cancelled for any reason, you will not go to the bottom of the waiting list.
You may need to have another appointment to see the anaesthetist, depending on the type of surgery you are having, and the length of time before your new surgery date. Tests will be repeated if more than three (3) months has elapsed since the last tests were completed. If you need to have a special blood test for bloods group and screen or cross match, this will need to be repeated within 3-5 days of the new surgery date.
This generally isn’t possible as the surgeons have limited operating time each week/fortnight, and there may not be theatre time available, or the surgeon may not be available.
Prior to you surgery, you should try to stop smoking, if overweight, try to lose some, avoid colds etc.
You should stop smoking for at least 24 hours prior to surgery, longer if possible. Smoking can cause problems during the anaesthetic, and can delay wound healing post operatively.
If you need help to stop smoking please contact QUIT or the Barwon Health Be Smokefree Clinic or the Preadmission Service on 4215 1627.
Please phone the Preadmission Nurse for advice as soon as you notice this, as it may affect your surgery. Your surgery may need to be postponed, as the risk of infection is too great.
Please consult your local doctor, and discuss the surgery you are having, and the effect your cold may have on this. If you develop a cold within a few days of the surgery, please phone the Perioperative Service for advice.
You should notify the Waiting List office immediately in this instance on ph. 4215 1622. They need to be able to contact you when your surgery is booked. If the waiting list office is unable to contact you, despite repeated attempts, you may be taken off the waiting list.
Page last updated: November 3, 2024