Outpatients
Managing long term health conditions and pain
Many people waiting for hospital care will have a long-term condition to manage. On this page you will find information about how to manage long term conditions and how to manage pain.
Patients who are able to improve their health and activity levels before surgery recover from surgery more quickly and with fewer complications.
The Royal College of Anaesthetists' Fitter Better Sooner resources provide you with the information to help you to become fitter and better prepared for your operation.
Preparing for surgery – Fitter Better Sooner
It is important that known long-term health conditions are controlled as well as possible ahead of your surgery. More information can be found here. https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/patients/patient-information-resources/preparing-surgery-fitter-better-sooner/medical-conditions
The NHS Website can provide information about managing long term conditions:
Managing Long-Term Conditions (NHS.uk)
Rheumatology
Information to help you manage your rheumatological condition including: rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, connective tissue diseases, osteoporosis/metabolic bone disease, and osteoarthritis.
Diabetes
Diabetes UK provide lots of information and support to help you to manage your condition.
Managing your pain
The resources below can help you manage your pain while waiting:
The pain tools, developed to help with managing pain
For help with managing persistent pain
Advice about how to manage chronic pain
If you have bone, joint or muscle pain, look at this advice, guidance and exercises from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy to help you manage your pain:
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Guidance