Arrive prepared for your pre-anaesthesia assessment

The single most useful thing you can bring is a complete, current list.

• Write down every prescribed medicine with its dose and when you take itDo not skip this oneOr simply bring the boxes in a bag: the team will happily read labels.
• Add everything bought without a prescriptionPainkillers, herbal remedies, vitamins and supplements can all matter to an anaesthetic.
• Note any blood thinners or diabetes medicines specificallyDo not skip this oneThese often need a specific plan before surgery. Never stop them yourself; ask the team what to do.
• List allergies and what actually happened each timeDo not skip this one"Rash all over within minutes" tells the anaesthetist far more than "allergic to penicillin".

Honest, complete answers here are a real contribution to your own safety.

• List your medical conditions, even ones that feel unrelatedHeart, lung and kidney problems, diabetes, reflux, epilepsy and sleep apnoea all shape the plan.
• Recall past operations and anaesthetics, and any problemsSevere sickness, difficult airway or slow waking last time are exactly what the team wants to know.
• Ask blood relatives about serious reactions to anaesthesiaA few rare reactions run in families; a quick question to parents or siblings covers it.
• Think about your everyday fitnessCan you climb two flights of stairs without stopping? Your answer helps the anaesthetist more than you would guess.
• Note smoking, vaping and alcohol honestlyNobody judges: the answers change how the anaesthetic is planned. Even a short smoke-free stretch before surgery helps.

• Note loose teeth, caps, crowns, dentures and piercingsThe anaesthetist looks after your airway; fragile dental work is worth flagging in advance.
• Mention problems opening your mouth or moving your neck
• Tell the team if you snore heavily or stop breathing in your sleepPossible sleep apnoea changes monitoring and aftercare plans.
• Flag any chance of pregnancy

• Confirm your personal fasting instructionsDo not skip this oneUse our fasting planner to understand the standard rules, then follow your own letter exactly.
• Arrange an adult to take you home and stay overnightDo not skip this oneRequired after a general anaesthetic or sedation: taxis alone do not count.
• Plan 24 hours without driving, machinery or important decisions
• Prepare your questions for the anaesthetistUse the question list below this checklist: copy it, add your own, bring it along.