Theatre externs

If you are attending the hospital for a minor surgical procedure, you may be asked to attend theatre as an extern patient.

Your appointment

You will receive a letter or telephone call advising you to attend the theatre as an extern patient for your procedure.

To confirm or cancel an appointment, please contact your consultant’s secretary directly. Contact details will be on your appointment card or letter.

If there is no answer when you phone, the secretary might be with a patient, so please follow the instructions on the recorded message.

Before you come in

Here are some useful things to bring or do before you come in:

• Bring your private health insurance details and/or your medical card details
• Bring a list of your current medication
• Know how to get to theatre (see below for directions)

 

How to get to theatre for extern patients

The best entrance to use is the McGivney entrance on Eccles Street. When you enter the building turn left, passing the bank (on your right). You will come to a set of three lifts on your left. Take the lift up to Level 3.

When you exit the lift, turn right. Before the café, turn right, then right again, following the signs for extern patients. You will come to a door with an intercom. Press D1 and speak to the theatre receptionist, who will let you into the theatre suite. (Please note this is a restricted area.)

The theatre receptionist will register you and you will be directed to the waiting room, where you will be collected by the nurse for your procedure.

 

Preparing to go home

Here is a checklist of things to think about or ask before you are discharged.

• If you have a wound, do you know what care is needed?
• Have you stitches or clips that need to be removed?
• If there are any problems when you are discharged, who do you contact?
• Do you need an outpatient appointment or follow-up care?
• Do you need a medical certificate for your employer?
• Have you got all your belongings?