While you wait for treatment
Find out everything you need to know about waiting times for treatment, what happens when you have surgery, staying healthy before your operation and giving consent for your treatment.
You can find out the average waiting times for a hospital appointment, operation or treatment. These times will vary depending on the department or area you’ve been referred to.
If you’re not sure, you’ll find details on your hospital letter.
You can find out more about the process so you’re fully prepared and know what questions to ask at each stage.
It’s important to be in the best health possible before your operation or procedure. This will help you to recover more quickly and reduce any risks during the procedure.
Our preoperative team will assess you before your operation to make sure that you’re fit and healthy for an anaesthetic.
Be healthy Bucks offers support to help you achieve your health goals, including help to lose weight or stop smoking.
Yes. Before a doctor or healthcare professional examines or treats you, they need your consent.
Consent to treatment means you must give permission before you get any type of medical treatment, test or examination.
For your consent to be valid, it must be voluntary and informed. You must have the capacity to make the decision.
Verbal consent
Sometimes you can verbally tell the healthcare professional whether you agree with their suggestions.
Written consent
In some cases we need a written record of your decision, for example if your treatment involves sedation or a general anaesthetic.
After a discussion of the risks, benefits and treatment options, we’ll ask you to sign a consent form.
If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent at any time. This includes any time after signing the consent form.
e-Consent (digital consent)
For some procedures you may be able to provide your consent via a secure online system called Concentric.
The electronic consent (e-consent) process is easy, secure and convenient. You can fill in your consent to treatment forms on mobile phones, tablets or computers.
After an appointment with your specialist team, we’ll send you a secure link by text or email with information about the treatment we’ve recommended for you and any possible risks, benefits or alternatives. You’ll need to provide your date of birth to securely access your information.
The digital e-consent process allows you time to reflect on the information provided and then give your consent to treatment remotely, if appropriate, through a process of shared decision making.
Patient information leaflets and advice sheets
As well as your hospital appointment letter, we’ll send you a printed information leaflet or ‘patient advice sheet’ about the procedure, treatment or type of surgery you’re having.