Paediatric Pre-Operative Assessment Clinic (POAC) on F3

What is POAC?

POAC is for children up to 16 years of age having planned surgery. It is located on Ward F3, located on Level 3 and can be accessed by the main lifts.

What is a pre-operative assessment?

Pre-operative assessment is a process used before your child’s surgery to ensure that they are fully prepared for their hospital admission, surgery and discharge.

Some children will attend their pre-operative assessment on the same day as their outpatient clinic appointment. If your child is recommended for an operation, he/she will need to be assessed as “fit for surgery.

Why do you need to attend?

• Ensure that your child is fit for surgery.
• To make it easier on the day of surgery for you and your child.
• To minimise your hospital stay.
• Ensure that your child is familiar with the environment and knows what to expect.
• To give you the opportunity to ask questions about your child’s operation.

If your child is not assessed within the POAC clinic, he/she will not be listed for surgery. If you have been given a date for surgery before having a pre-assessment please contact us via the number on the back of this leaflet.

What happens at the POAC appointment?

Our pre-assessment appointments can be done face to face or via the telephone. If we are unable to undertake your assessment then and there, you will be offered a telephone assessment instead. You will still be asked the same questions whether it is done face to face or over the phone.

The staff will ask about your child’s general health and note any significant past medical history. You will also be asked about your child’s current medication and discuss any other interventions which may be needed ahead of surgery.

If you are seen face to face we will perform several investigations including:

• A set of observations (temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and oxygen saturations)
• Height and Weight
• MRSA swabs (if needed)
• Blood tests (if needed)
• Urine sample (if needed)
• Other operation specific investigations

Your POAC appointment should take between 30 and 60 minutes.

What facilities are available?

We have a playroom with a variety of books, toys and activities available. There is a parent’s room with tea and coffee making facilities. We also have a water dispenser with a selection of squashes.

Anaesthetists

We will have an anaesthetist within the clinic three afternoons a week. If your child requires an anaesthetic review and there is no anaesthetist available on the day of your appointment you may be asked to return to our clinic on another afternoon to meet with them. Alternatively the anaethetist may undertake a thorough ‘notes review’ to save you coming back to see us or organise a telephone consultation.

The Royal College of Anaesthesia website has some good resources to help prepare your child for theatre. A copy of these resources will be available to look at within our clinic. It is often beneficial for your child if you look at them in advance to assist with theatre preparations.

• The RCOA Young Persons Web Guide (opens in a new tab)