These pages give details of how you will be assessed to ensure the safest possible anaesthetic, and things you need to do (or not do) before coming into hospital.

Detailed information about anaesthesia is available from the Royal College of Anaesthetists' website www.youranaesthetic.info/. I will summarise this and explain what to expect from me and others involved in your care before, during and after your operation.

The first thing to emphasise is that modern anaesthesia is very safe. Your anaesthetist is a highly trained specialist doctor who will assess you carefully beforehand, administer an individually tailored combination of medicines, and ensure that you are continuously monitored and safe during your operation.

The risk of problems is related very much to two things: your general state of health, especially heart and lungs, and the scale of the operation planned. Although minor after-effects are common (drowsiness, nausea, sore throat, headache), the risk of a serious anaesthetic complication causing death associated with a day-case or intermediate operation in a patient in good general health is lower than 1 in 100,000. Detailed information about risks and side effects is available on the Royal College of Anaesthetists website shown above.

Use the menu at the left of this page to go to Pre-op advice, Care in Theatre, and Post-op advice for specific information about these phases of your care.