Day Procedure Unit
How we can help you (what we do)
The Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital Day Procedure Unit provides admissions for elective and emergency surgery for eyes, hands, endoscopy, and gastroscopy patients within the Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD).
The service is Monday to Friday and is located on the first floor of Sydney/Sydney Eye Hospital Clinical Services Block.
Who we care for
The Day Procedure Unit provides care for all patients who are presenting to SSEH for a surgical procedure.
What to expect
For elective surgery you will receive a letter from the booking office confirming your date of surgery with a telephone number to call SSEH nursing staff the day before surgery. The time of surgery will be confirmed with the nursing staff along with a discussion of your general health, medications and fasting requirements.
Ideally before your surgery date you will attend your local Doctor for pre-operative tests such as blood tests, ECG, chest x-ray and advice with current medications. You may be contacted by a Clinical Nurse Consultant who may direct you to a pre admission clinic.
If you are going home the same day as your surgery an escort is required to be organised by you or a family member. You will have been given an anaesthetic and are unable to travel alone. You will be given an appointment date to follow up with your doctor after your surgery. The nursing staff will provide you with comprehensive post operation instructions for your care.
Do you need an interpreter?
Professional interpreters are available and are free of charge if you require assistance in understanding the procedure. While a family member or relative may be with you, all treatment including the consent should be through a professional interpreter. If you require an interpreter to contact us; please call the Translating Interpreter service on 131450.
Research, training and education
We are a teaching hospital and you may be asked to be involved in research or for a student to be present on your journey in Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital. You have the right to say no. If you do so this will not impact in any way on the services we provide.
Sydney, NSW, 2001
Day Procedure Unit (02) 93827088
Day Procedure Unit Nurse Unit Manager (02) 93827554
Perioperative Nurse Manager (02) 93827101
Visiting Hours: Monday to Friday from 6.30am to 7.30pm.
-33.8681622, 151.2122224
How long will my surgery be?
This will depend on the type of surgery you are having. As a general rule allow 2 hours from the time you are transferred to the operating suite to transfer back to the ward.
When will I stop eating and drinking?
You will be advised by nursing staff the afternoon before surgery the time to commence fasting.
What time will I go to surgery?
After consultation with the doctors the theatre list order is prepared. We have morning and afternoon surgery and depending when the surgeon is operating will be where you are placed.
How long will I have to stay after surgery?
Depending on the type of anaesthetic you have it can be as little as 30 minutes after being returned to the ward or as long as 4 hours if a general anaesthetic is given.
Do you need an interpreter?
Professional interpreters are available and are free of charge if you require assistance in understanding the procedure. While a family member or relative may be with you, all treatment including the consent should be through a professional interpreter. If you require an interpreter to contact us; please call the Translating Interpreter service on 131450.
The Day Procedure Unit (1 WEST) is located on Level one of the Clinical Services Building, Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital. Enter via the main hospital foyer, take the lift to level one and turn left as you exit the lift then turn right. Please check in with the clerical staff on arrival.
On-site parking is available through METRO parking. The entrance is off hospital road. For additional information about parking please contact either the Nurse Unit Manager or nursing staff in the Day Procedure Unit. There is also metered parking along hospital road. For short periods of time of 5-15 min, escorts are allowed to park in the turning circle on hospital grounds while collecting patients.
Info line:
For information about connections, destinations and timetables for government buses, trains and ferries in and around Sydney, telephone 13 15 00. OR check the NSW Transport Trip planner website http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/tripplanner/index.html
Train: Martin Place station is directly opposite the hospital and St James station is at the end of Macquarie Street.
Bus: Bus No. 200 stops directly opposite the hospital in Macquarie Street.
Ferries: Circular Quay ferry terminal is 10 minutes walk from the hospital.
We work in partnership with your local Doctor, hospitals in other health districts, community nursing organisations. We also work with SSEH clinical nurse consultants/educators in ophthalmology (eyes) and hands.
The service is a Day Procedure Unit that is open Monday to Friday. The unit conducts admissions prior to transfer to the operating suite. Admissions are for patients having surgery on the day and returning home the same day or for patients staying overnight that are then transferred to an inpatient ward after surgery. Admissions may be elective, emergencies, from specialists’ rooms, via the hand clinic or transferred from another health facility.
The Day Procedure unit comprises of:
- Dedicated Surgical Specialists, registrars and residents who are available to speak with you in the Day Procedure Unit prior to your surgery to address any concerns you may have.
- Nurse unit manager who is responsible for the management of the unit and available Monday to Friday business hours.
- Registered Nurses and Enrolled Nurses dedicated to quality patient care that will prepare you for your surgery and answer any questions regarding your operation.
- Administration staff will assist you with the admission process and answers any questions you may have about Medicare and private health insurance.
- Ancillary staff that assist with transferring of patients to and from theatre.
Emergency Department
Call 000 in an emergency
The Emergency Department looks after people in an emergency.
An emergency is when an illness or an injury is serious and requires urgent treatment.
When you arrive at the Emergency Department, you will be seen by a triage nurse who will decide how urgent your situation is.
The order you will be seen will depend on how serious your emergency is.
The people who have the most urgent conditions will always be seen first.
It will not depend on the time you arrive in the Emergency Department. People with less serious conditions will have to wait until the doctor is free.
Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital Emergency Department is open 24 hours per day, including public holidays.
NSW, 2001
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
-33.867787338437, 151.21230594169
We provide 24 hour emergency service for adults (age 16 and over). The Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital Emergency Department specialises in hand and eye emergencies.
If you are under 16 years of age, please attend the Sydney Children's Hospital Emergency Department (Located at Randwick and Westmead).
If your need is not urgent, please make an appointment with your local doctor or after hours medical centre.
Please click these links If you need a referral to the Eye Outpatient Department or the Hand clinic.
| Hospital | Address | Phone number |
|---|---|---|
| St Vincent's Hospital | Victoria Ave, Darlinghurst | 8382 1111 |
| Prince of Wales Hospital | Barker St, Randwick | 9382 8400 |
| Sydney Children's Hospital | High St, Randwick | 9382 1111 |
If you need to come to the Emergency Department please bring:
- Any referral letters you may have (for example, from your doctor, optometrist, ophthalmologist or physiotherapist)
- A list of all the medicines you are currently taking. If you do not have a list simply bring your medicines with you
- Bring your glasses (If you are coming with an eye condition)
- Bring your eyedrops (if you have any)
- Private health insurance card or DVA card if you have one
- The name and phone number of your usual doctor or medical centre
- Your Medicare card or passport (if you are not an Australian citizen)
When you arrive you will be seen by a triage nurse who will decide how urgent your emergency is.
Treatment
Treatment in the Emergency Department is based on clinical need and not:
- The time of your arrival
- Financial situation
- If you have health insurance
Patients requiring urgent attention will always be seen first.
If your illness or injury is not urgent you will have to wait to see a doctor.
If your condition gets worse you should tell the Triage Nurse immediately.
You can seek care for non-urgent illness or injury through your local doctor or an After Hours Medical Centre.
Eating or drinking
- Do not eat or drink while waiting to see a doctor
- Please ask the staff before you eat or drink while you are waiting to be seen
You may need tests or procedures that require you not to eat or drink beforehand
Pain relief
If you are in pain tell the Triage Nurse who may be able to offer some pain relief.
Please let us know if you need an interpreter. We will organise a telephone interpreter for you.
There are no set visiting times. But we limit the number of visitors to two people at any one time.
A doctor or nurse will let you know when you can go home.
Before you leave you should make sure that you:
- Understand what medications you need to take
- How to take your medications
- Know when to see a doctor again
- Ask for a medical certificate
- Ask for a referral letter for your doctor
When you go home you need to:
- Tell your doctor that you have been to the Emergency Department
- Give the letters from Emergency Department to your doctor
We are a teaching hospital. Student doctors or nurses may be involved in your care. They will be supervised by senior staff during your visit.
You have the right to say no to having a student involved.
If you do so, this will not impact in any way on the treatment we will provide.
To view the commonly asked questions for the Emergency Department, click here.