Perioperative Care for Older People Undergoing Surgery (POPS)
Information and guidance for patients and carers
Perioperative care covers all care:
from admission to hospital
through your surgery
care after surgery, and
discharge home.
This leaflet explains more about the POPS Clinic. It outlines how we work with other healthcare professionals, both in the hospital and in the community, to provide a service for surgical patients.
We are here to help and reassure you during this time. If you or a member of your family have any questions, please contact us on 01227 783043 and speak to a member of staff.
What is the POPS Clinic?
POPS is a specialist team. We see patients with complex / multiple medical problems, who may be being considered for an operation.
The aim of the clinic is to make sure patients are:
having the most appropriate treatment for their condition
able to make an informed decision about their treatment
as fit as possible before surgery
prepared for their stay in hospital after their surgery
You will meet with the POPS team before your surgery.
Who might I see in a POPS Clinic?
The POPS team includes the following.
Consultant doctors, who specialise in general medicine for older people.
Doctors in training, who work with the consultant doctors.
Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS).
Occupational Therapists / Physiotherapists.
Administrators.
Who has referred me to the POPS Clinic?
One of the following healthcare professionals may have referred you to the POPS Clinic.
The surgeon planning your operation.
A pre-assessment nurse.
A clinical nurse specialist (CNS).
An anaesthetist.
What do I need to bring to my POPS Clinic appointment?
Please bring the following to your appointment.
All relevant clinic letters and test results that you have received from your GP or other hospitals.
A list of all the medicines you are taking or the medicines themselves. This includes any over-the-counter-medicines. Or a copy of your repeat prescription, with your medicines listed.
Our questionnaires, if you received some with your appointment letter.
What will happen at my clinic appointment?
Your appointment at the POPS Clinic will take approximately 1 hour. At this appointment you will see a nurse and / or doctor (a consultant, junior doctor, or both).
Your assessment will include one or more of the following.
A medical history and physical examination. We will ask you to remove some of your clothes, so we can examine / assess you more easily.
Questions about how you manage at home, your mood, and your memory.
Tests such as a walking test, blood tests, and / or a tracing of your heart (ECG).
Other specialist tests, such as an x-ray or a referral for more specialist tests. We will try to do these on the same day. This may not always be possible, and you may need to return to the hospital at a later date for these.
Shared decision making (SDM) is where we will discuss:
the benefits of surgery
the risks of surgery for you
any alternatives
what may happen if we do not do anything
Your suitability for an operation.
What happens after my assessment?
After your assessment we will explain your results and what will happen next.
This may include you returning to the hospital at a later date for the specialist tests listed above.
Some patients will need to have treatments changed in preparation for their surgery. We will explain the reasons for this, before we ask for your consent to continue with treatment.
We will speak to your surgeon, anaesthetist, and your GP about any changes that we have agreed with you. Please remember you can change your mind about your treatment at any time.
We will send a written summary of your clinic assessment to you, your surgeon, and your GP. This letter will also include information about what you can do to prepare for your surgery. It is important you follow the instructions provided in this letter carefully.
If you have any questions, please contact the POPS team on 01227 783043.
Can I bring a friend or relative to my POPS Clinic appointment?
Yes. It is often helpful to have a friend, relative, or carer come with you to your appointment.
If you are coming to your appointment by hospital transport, you will need to tell transport at the time of booking that you are bringing somebody with you.
G4S Patient Transport
If you need to arrange transport to and from your appointment, please call G4S on 0800 096 0211 (open 24 hours a day).
What will happen after I have my operation?
The POPS team may see you on the ward, where we work with the surgical teams. They may also look after your medical problems and be involved in your discharge from hospital.
Contact details
We realise that having an operation can be stressful and confusing. POPS is available to help with any questions you or your family / friends may have. We are available to do this before, during, or after your hospital stay. If we cannot answer your question immediately, we will try to get the information for you as soon as possible.
POPS team
Telephone: 01227 783043
Opening times: Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm
Email
Further information
Our hospital is involved in research and education to improve the care we give. During your visit you may be contacted about research projects relevant to you. We collect data about our patients to continually improve the quality of care we provide. Medical students and visiting healthcare professionals may be present during your visit. If you prefer not to see medical students or visitors, please tell a member of staff.
Where do I need to go for my appointment?
Urgent Treatment Centre
Kent and Canterbury Hospital
Ethelbert Road, Canterbury CT1 3NG
Directions to the clinic room
Our clinic room is next to the Urgent Treatment Centre at Kent and Canterbury Hospital. You can book in at the desk there and we will collect you at your clinic time slot.
What do you think of this leaflet?
We welcome feedback, whether positive or negative, as it helps us to improve our care and services.
If you would like to give us feedback about this leaflet, please fill in our short online survey. Either scan the QR code below, or use the web link. We do not record your personal information, unless you provide contact details and would like to talk to us some more.
If you would rather talk to someone instead of filling in a survey, please call the Patient Voice Team.
Patient Voice Team
Telephone: 01227 868605
Email