Before you arrive
Before you arrive for your procedure
Before you arrive at Wakefield Hospital, there are a few things to double check and think about. Read the information below to make sure you are prepared for your stay with us.
Assessing your health prior to admission
Wakefield offers the opportunity to work alongside some of New Zealand’s top specialists in modern facilities using the latest techniques and equipment. We value our highly skilled staff and offer ongoing training.
Our specialists perform a wide range of diagnostic, interventional and surgical procedures. Evolution Healthcare regularly invests into our facilities and equipment, allowing specialists and staff to practise their profession within a superior medical environment.
Wakefield Hospital has 6 operating theatres & 1 CATH lab and offers a complete range of diagnostic, interventional and surgical procedures across a full spectrum of specialties. Full-time medical specialists providing 24-hour patient care work with and lead qualified and proficient medical, surgical and rehabilitative treatment of those in our care by dedicated and committed local area health professionals.
Eating and drinking before your anaesthetic
If you are undergoing surgery, your stomach must be empty. So it is very important to ask your specialist whether you should fast (not eat or drink, which includes chewing gum and sweets) before admission, and from what time.
Here are some general guidelines, but you will receive specific instructions from your specialist:
Adults and children over 2 years
Do not eat anything for 6 hours before your admission time. You may drink WATER freely up until 2 hours before your admission, then nothing more. Remember, milk is considered a food.
Children under 2 years
Cow’s milk or formula may be taken up to 6 hours prior to admission time, and breast milk up to 4 hours before admission. WATER only may be drunk up to 2 hours before admission.
These instructions are for your safety and wellbeing. Please follow them closely. If your specialist or anaesthetist gives you other instructions, you must follow them. Your operation may have to be postponed if you do not comply with these guidelines.
Your current medications
You will have discussed with your specialist any regular medications you are taking. Please bring all your usual medications in the original containers to our hospital with you, including any herbal and dietary supplements.
A detailed list from your general practitioner will help our specialists chart the correct medications for you.
If you are being admitted on the day of your surgery, continue to take your regular medications as prescribed unless advised otherwise.
Patients on anticoagulants need to take special care
Any anticoagulants (drugs that reduce blood clotting) for example Warfarin should not be taken prior to surgery without consulting your specialist.
Aspirin or Disprin
Is usually, but not always, discontinued in the week prior to surgery. Please check with your specialist.
Failure to stop taking your anticoagulant medications as advised could result in your surgery being postponed.
Weight loss / diabetes medication
If you are taking weight loss / diabetes medication please discuss this prior to your surgery with your specialist.
Alcohol, cigarettes, and recreational drugs We recommend that you avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs (other than medications your specialist prescribes) during the 24 hours prior to your admission.
We recommend that you avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs (other than medications your specialist prescribes) during the 24 hours prior to your admission.
Make sure you organise transport
In case of traffic congestion, please allow yourself plenty of time to get to the hospital. It is always better to be early rather than late, and you will feel more relaxed. If unavoidable circumstances delay your arrival, please call us as soon as you can on 04 381 8100.
It is always a good idea to organise transport home from the hospital on the day of your discharge as well.
Your checklist: what to bring to hospital
– Your admission forms and health questionnaire if you haven’t used our online eAdmission portal (please bring copies if you have posted them to us)
– X-rays and scans relevant to your surgery
– All your usual medications (including herbal and dietary supplements) in their original containers – please refer to important ‘medications’ information
– Your medical insurance company’s letter of prior approval
– ACC’s letter authorising your treatment in a private hospital
– Glasses and physical aids (walking sticks, hearing aids, etc)
– Comfortable clothing and footwear
– It is a good idea for children to bring their favourite toy or blanket.
If you are staying overnight please also pack:
– Suitable nightwear and dressing gown
– Slippers
– Toiletries
– Reading and writing material.
Your Checklist: what not to bring
– Large amounts of cash
– Jewellery
– Other valuables.
We will do our best to ensure the safety of your valuables, however Wakefield Hospital accepts no responsibility for patients’ possessions.
