Your letter will inform you of which area you need to go to on arrival at the hospital for surgery. The majority of patients will attend Department of Scheduled Admissions (DOSA); however, some may be admitted to a ward.

DOSA is an admission unit situated beside the main theatre suite at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where you will be checked in on arrival at the reception and asked to take a seat in our waiting area. When the nurses are ready, you will be called through to one of the rooms to begin your admission. During this time, nurses will check your ID, take your weight, check your blood pressure, and ask you a series of questions. You may need to have some bloods taken and be asked to provide a sample of urine. Any luggage will be locked in our luggage trolley and once you leave the department it will be transferred to the ward you will be in following your operation.

In all locations the following advice is applicable:

• You will then be seen by an anaesthetist who will ask further questions and will answer any questions you have about your anaesthetic.
• Your surgeon will discuss the operation with you and ask you to sign the consent form.
• After this, you may be asked to change into a theatre gown and put on a pair of surgical support TED stockings ready for theatre.

When the theatre team is ready, a member of the theatre staff will come to collect you. They will check your ID again and ask some more questions for the theatre checklist. When this has been completed, they will walk you through to the theatre for your surgery. If required, a chair can be provided to help you to theatre.

You may not be first on the theatre list, if this is the case you will remain in your own clothes and will be asked to wait in the waiting room. The anaesthetist will advise if you are allowed to drink any fluids whilst you wait. If you are unsure, ask the nursing staff who will be able to check this for you.