Coming into Spire Parkway Hospital

Admission information

We know continuity of care is important, so we'll make sure you are looked after by the same consultant from the first appointment throughout all your treatment and follow up care.  Every consultant working at Spire Parkway Hospital is on the specialist register of the GMC (General Medical Council) and has met our exacting 'practising privileges' criteria.

We expect the same high standards from our nursing staff, physiotherapists and pharmacists, who are all highly qualified and dedicated to caring for our patients in a warm and professional manner.  For ultimate reassurance, we have a trained team equipped to deal with medical emergencies 24 hours a day.

Preparing for admission

• Treatment costs are agreed in advance and payment is arranged with you or your insurance company.
• Prior to admission insured patients must contact their insurance company to inform them of their treatment and confirm that this is covered under their policy.
• Any consultant or anesthetist bill you may receive either before or after treatment must be forwarded to your insurer.
• Fasting instructions: please refer to your admission letter for details of your fasting schedule. The definition of 'clear fluids' is water only. Please refrain from chewing gum on day of surgery.
• Medication: please continue to take your prescribed medication (if any) unless otherwise informed. If you are currently taking Warfarin, Clopidogrel, Asprin, Tamoxifen, the oral contraceptive, HRT or regular herbal medication, then please seek guidance from your consultant. Please bring all medication with you (in its original packaging) on admission to the hospital.
• MRSA: as part of our infection control procedures at Spire Parkway Hospital, we may request that we carry out a pre-operative risk assessment for MRSA, which takes into account your personal circumstances, recent medical history and the type of treatment or surgery you may be having. You must inform us if you have been an inpatient at another hospital within the last 12 months, if you are the resident of a nursing home or you work in a health care environment. If you need to be screened for MRSA, your nurse will do a swab sample.
• Allergies: please inform us of any allergies or sensitivities (including latex) on the pre-admission questionnaire included with your admission pack.  
• Please complete and return the dietary information form. This is essential to provide us with information on your specific dietary requirements.
• Pre-admission tests: these may be undertaken to assess your fitness for surgery. They are usually performed in pre-admission clinics prior to admission. These tests may not be covered under your insurance policy, or may be charged to your out-patient allowance depending on your insurance company. Pre-admission tests will be covered if part of an inclusive care package. Tests will vary on a case-by-case basis and we will keep you informed of all details.
• Please ensure you complete the Assessing you for Admission questionnaire enclosed with your admission pack and return it as soon as possible.
• There may be miscellaneous items and expenses, such as investigations, medications and physiotherapy consumables, that are not included in your main treatment costs.
• You will be required to sign a consent form for your operation at some point between your out-patient consultation and your visit to theatre.

On the day of your admission

• Please bring any X-Rays or imaging CD's you may have.
• Please do not wear any jewellery (a wedding ring is the sole exception) and leave valuables at home. Unfortunately we cannot be held responsible for loss or damage to valuables.
• Please do not wear make-up, nail polish or nail extensions. This is necessary as we need to read the oxygen saturation of your blood by clipping a sensor to your finger.
• Submitting credit card details simplifies payment for any items not covered by private medical insurance or Inclusive Care. These items may include visitors' meals, take-home medication, physiotherapy consumables and telephone charges. A statement of due charges will be forwarded to you following your stay with us. You will receive this BEFORE your card is debited with the costs of your treatment, which will enable you to confirm any charges.
• Please note that after you have seen your surgeon and anaesthetist, you may wait for some time until you have your operation. It may be permissible to drink clear fluids up until 2 hours before surgery, but only if you are advised that it is alright to do so. 

Going home

• You must not drive for 24 to 48 hours following any procedure carried out under general anaesthetic or sedation. Please check with you motor insurance company and follow any advice we may give you on your discharge.
• Please make arrangements to be collected from the hospital by 9.30am in time for a prompt 10am discharge unless specifically instructed otherwise by your consultant or nurse.
• Any medicines you take home with you following your stay with us will be accompanied by patient information leaflets. Should you have any queries or concerns about your prescribed medication then please call the Pharmacy Department on 0121 704 5570.
• Any physiotherapy exercises will be explained and listed to take home with you. Should you have any queries or concerns about your rehabilitation, please call the Physiotherapy Department on 0121 704 5546.
• When you are discharged from the hospital, you will be handed a letter which needs to be given to your GP. It shows details of medication that you're taking and the surgery that you have undergone. We suggest that you make arrangements to give this letter to your GP as soon as possible following your discharge.
• If you are at all worried about your condition following your discharge, please do not hesitate to contact the Senior Nurse on 0845 850 1451 at any time of the day or night.

Points to check with your Insurance Company

Spire Parkway Hospital is open to everyone, whether you're insured with Bupa, AXA PPP Healthcare, Aviva or any other major private health insurance company.  Where possible we will arrange for your insurance company to settle your bill directly with us.  However, please liaise with your insurance provider throughout the course of your treatment.  Please be aware of the Terms and Conditions of your policy and let us know of any limitations applicable to your policy. 

It is essential that you ensure all treatment or surgery is pre-agreed by your insurance company before admission.

• You insurance company will not usually pay the full cost of medicines prescribed by your consultant for use after you have been discharged from hospital.  Please ask the pharmacist if you would like to know the cost.
• Likewise, physiotherapy consumables are not always covered by insurance, so please check with your company before admission. We can advise you on the likely cost of these items at your pre-admission appointment.
• If you receive treatment bills from your consultant or anaesthetist, please forward them to your insurance company.  Credit card details provided by you on admission are used to pay hospital charges only.  You should settle any invoices from surgeons or anaesthetists separately and/or forward them on to your insurance company for payment.