New Admissions Lounge makes it easier for patients to come in on day of surgery
Issued: 16 Aug 2025
A new Admissions Lounge, located on the first floor in Raigmore Hospital, is allowing patients to come in on the day of their planned surgery saving them an unnecessary overnight stay in hospital.
The lounge, which opened in August, is a pre-operative waiting area for patients who have a planned date for their operation. Patients will be seen by nursing staff who will prepare them for their operation. This will include routine nursing observations such as taking your blood pressure and, if required, giving any pre-operative medicines. Patient will be told what ward they will be going to after surgery and a member of the surgical team will also see them before their operation.
Kenneth Barker, Consultant Anaesthetist from NHS Highland and Clinical Lead for the Surgical Admissions Lounge said: “We recognise that coming in for surgery is an anxious time for patients and their families. The opening of the Surgical Admissions Lounge means there is now a dedicated area for all patients coming in for planned surgery.
“The staff have dedicated time to purely focus on supporting and preparing patients for theatre. They also work closely with the staff in the wards to ensure that everything is set and any special requirements are recorded.”
An important part of the Service is that patients will also be contacted by phone two days before they are due to be admitted. This will allow a member of the nursing team to confirm admission details and also go through some pre-hospital checks.
They will also be there to provide reassurance to the patient and to answer any questions they may have.
Jean Martin, Nurse in Charge of the Admissions Lounge said: “We want to make it as smooth as possible for our patients coming into hospital but also plan for their discharge. We will discuss with patients in advance of their operation what needs to be in place to support them to be discharged in a timely manner”
In general patients should plan to be discharged in the morning. If this cannot be arranged direct from the ward, then patients will go via the Discharge Lounge.
The Discharge Lounge is located on the Ground Floor by Outpatients and has been in operation since 2025.
The Surgical Admissions Lounge opened on the 9th August and is open Monday to Friday, from 07.30 – 19.30.
