Cherwell Unit (Pre-operative Assessment)

The Cherwell Unit is a pre-operative assessment (pre-assessment) unit for elective orthopaedic, general surgery, urology, ENT, day surgery and gynaecology cases. The Cherwell Unit is on the ground floor of the Brunel Treatment Centre.

Clinical Lead: Dr Neil Campbell – Anaesthetist, Dr Adam Brooks – Surgeon

Modern Matron: Carol Black

Senior Sister/ Ward Manager: Nikola Robinson

Contacting the Cherwell Unit

Reception – 01793 646010
Results – 01793 646015

Email: cherwell.unit@smnhst.nhs.uk

Pre Assessment Appointment Bookings:
General Surgery – 01793 646170
Orthopaedics – 01793 646171

Post: Cherwell Unit, Brunel Treatment Centre, Great Western Hospital, Marlborough Road, Swindon, SN3 6BB

Email: PreAssessmentAppointments@smnhst.nhs.uk

Opening Hours: Monday – Friday, 08:30 – 18:00

About the Unit.
The Cherwell Unit is a pre-operative assessment (pre-assessment) unit covering Elective Surgical Patients, who require general surgery, orthopaedic, gynaecology, day surgery and some ENT elective surgical intervention.

The aim of the pre-operative assessment department is to ensure that patients are fit prior to undergoing surgery and a general anaesthetic. Where appropriate the Cherwell Unit is ideally placed to facilitate the referral of patients requiring pre-operative optimisation or further clinical investigation.

The Pre-Assessment Process. (Orthopaedic, General Surgery & Gynaecology)
Depending upon the priority of your case, you will be invited to pre-assessment approximately 12 weeks into your 18 week pathway. At pre-assessment, patients will have a consultation with a qualified nurse. Once you have finished your consultation with your nurse, you may be required to undergo various tests with a nursing auxiliary, which may include an MRSA screening, urine test, ECG, blood test, height & weight and blood pressure.

Dependant upon the type of clinic you are on, you may also have a further consultation with your consultant.

Orthopaedic patients requiring joint replacement surgery such as replacement knees or hips are also invited to an education class which runs in the Education Room on the department. The class starts at approximately 12 noon and lasts for one hour. The purpose of the class is to ensure that patients undergoing major joint replacement surgery have the best quality information prior to surgery, it also gives patients and relatives the opportunity to ask any questions they may have. We are more then happy for relatives to join patients in the education class.

During your assessment, your nurse may wish to refer you to an anaesthetist, for an opinion as to your suitability for a general anaesthetic. If this is the case, every effort will be made to arrange an appointment for you on the same day of your assessment. Following an anaesthetic assessment, it may be necessary for you to have further tests before to surgery. These will be arranged by the nursing staff on the department.

The Pre Assessment Process (Day Surgery)
Following your outpatients appointment, you may have been asked to attend the Cherwell Unit with your booking card. On arriving at the department, patients are asked to complete a health screening questionnaire. The purpose of this is to allow a qualified nurse to carry out an assessment and to decide what tests, if any, are required prior to surgery. If you require any tests, then these will be carried out whilst you are on the department by a nursing auxiliary.

Some patients may have been sent a questionnaire in the post to be filled in and returned to the Cherwell Unit. A nurse will review it and if required, an appointment for tests will be arranged.

Patient Facilities
The Cherwell unit has a large waiting area with seating, a television, toileting facilities and various reading materials. On the lower ground floor of the Brunel Treatment centre is a coffee bar, where patients and relatives may purchase coffee, tea and snacks.