Access to Surgery

These services are for individuals aged 14 years and older who have a referral from a specialist.

• Pre-operative clinics
• Surgery
  • General surgery
  • Vascular surgery
  • Gynecology
  • Ophthalmology
  • ENT
  • Orthopedics
  • Plastic surgery
  • Urology
  • Maxillofacial/dentistry

Services are available by referral only.

A surgeon will decide whether surgery is the best option for you.

We will contact you to give you the date and location of your surgery.   

We will call you the day before your surgery to tell you what time to report for surgery. 

Contact information

• Useful contact information

Guides

• A Guide to Hip Replacement Surgery

1. Appointment with the surgeon

The surgeon will:

• Confirm that you can undergo surgery
• Talk to you about the surgical procedure that is best for you
• Give you a referral for surgery
• Explain the surgery as well as the risks involved
• Ask you to sign a consent form

2. Pre-operative appointment

If required, this appointment will be scheduled 2 to 4 weeks before your surgery. This appointment may take place in person or over the phone, depending on your situation.

During this appointment, you can expect to:

• Undergo required testing  
  • Blood tests
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG)
  • Other tests depending on the initial assessment
• Receive the necessary information about your surgery
• Undergo a pre-operative check-up

Plan at least 2 hours for this appointment.

These tests will be scheduled once you have a date for your surgery.

What to bring to your appointment 

• Your health insurance card
• Your hospital card (go to Admitting if you do not have a card and must have one made)
• An up to date list of all your medications, including all non-prescription products (natural health products, over-the-counter products, vitamins, etc.)
• A copy of your test results, if applicable
• A list of your doctors’ contact details, if applicable

3. Surgery

• Your surgery will take place at one of our three hospitals.
• We will contact you to give you the date, time and location of your surgery.
• Notify us of any major change in your health.
• For detailed information on how to prepare for your surgery in the days leading up to your scheduled surgery date, refer to the information that was sent by email or given to you during the pre-operative appointment. 

The day of your surgery

• Follow the instructions given to you about when to stop eating and drinking (fasting)
• Follow the instructions given by the pre-operative clinic
• Take your medications  as instructed by the pre-operative clinic
• Arrive on time at the hospital
• Notify the personnel of any changes in your health

When discharged and ready to go home

• Be sure to take all your personal belongings, including your medications
• Be sure to have any prescriptions or instructions given by the doctor
• Ask for a phone number you can call in case of an emergency
• Ask about the date of your follow-up appointment with the doctor

4. Post-operative follow-ups

• Depending on the type of surgery you have had, you will be given post-operative instructions to follow.
• You will have a follow-up, over the phone, with a nurse. The timeframe for that call will be given to you after your surgery.  

Location of pre-operative tests – Pre-operative clinics