Patient, visitor information for Gillingham Surgical Centre

Parking on-site is available to all patients and visitors, free of charge.

We have free Wi-Fi access for patients and visitors.

All areas of our hospital are accessible to wheelchair users.

Our patient information is available in a range of languages and in large print and Braille upon request.

We have an interpretation service available to support you if English is not your preferred language.

Please let a member of our booking team know prior to your appointment if you have any special requirements.

There are vending machines in the waiting area for visitors who would like refreshments.

While you are with us for treatment, you will only share the side of the day ward with members of the same sex and same-sex toilets will be nearby. Sharing with members of the opposite sex will only happen when clinically necessary. This is part of our commitment to patient dignity, and helps ensure a more comfortable and relaxed stay.

One of the benefits of being treated at our hospital is the ‘one-stop-service’ of your outpatient appointment. Where possible we will complete any pre-treatment tests there and then, to save you making multiple trips, and our anaesthetists and rehabilitation team will assess you at the same time.

Your outpatient appointment is also an opportunity for you to meet the consultant who will perform your treatment. Feel free to ask any questions you wish – you may even want to write these down ahead of your appointment. They will explain any special preparations you may need to make before your treatment.

On the day of your treatment, wear something light and comfortable, so you’re as relaxed as possible.

If you’ll be staying with us, you may want to bring personal toiletries, nightclothes, comfortable footwear, something to read, and any medication you routinely take.

When you leave the hospital after you’ve had your treatment, you’ll be given full details of your follow-up care. We will inform your GP that you’ve been discharged from the hospital, and day case patients are telephoned the day after their surgery to check that they are recovering well.

It’s crucial to rest and take care of yourself after your treatment.

If you have any worries or concerns, please call us at any time on our Patient Advice Line (0333 200 4055 Option 2 ) to speak to a member of the clinical team. This helpline is designed to ensure that your recovery is as speedy and successful as possible, so please use it as much as you need to.

‘White Coat Syndrome’(also known as ‘White Coat Hypertension’ or the ‘White Coat Effect’) is a condition to describe people experiencing increased stress levels and blood pressure when in a medical clinic or hospital.

The condition is not uncommon, with as many as 1 in 8 people experiencing it when in a medical setting.

Does White Coat Syndrome affect patients at Practice Plus Group?
Yes. It can be upsetting for patients because, as well as being unpleasant to experience, higher blood pressure can result in postponed and cancelled appointments.

What are Practice Plus Group doing to help?
We’re taking the following steps to help patients with the condition:

• Pre-treatment patient tours of our hospitals with the opportunity to meet care teams
• Access to quiet areas for blood pressure checks
• Regular blood pressure readings during appointments – often blood pressure lowers as the patient relaxes.