What is Waiting Well?
You may be put on a waiting list to see a healthcare specialist or to get health and social care services. This leaflet has information to support your health and wellbeing at this time.
This includes information on your physical and mental health, as well as advice about practical issues like financial worries.
It may seem strange to say you could be ‘waiting well’ as you may not be feeling your best. You may also be unsure what to do while you wait. But, it’s really important to use this time to support your health and wellbeing
Why it’s important to support your health and wellbeing
Taking positive steps for your health and wellbeing can help you to:
- ease some symptoms
- manage or improve your health
- stop new problems from starting
- improve your health before your care – this may help you to get better faster
What to focus on to support your health and wellbeing
It can be hard to know what practical actions or changes will help your health and wellbeing while you wait. To help focus on the right areas, you could think about things that:
- are challenging in your day-to-day life
- worry you the most
- you want tackle first
- matter to you now
- are strengths you want to build on
What can I do to make sure I am ‘Waiting Well?
Research shows that there are five health areas can make sure you are in the best possible health for arriving for your surgery.
Table one below summarises the five areas and provides some summary information on
- Why make a change
- How to make a change
- Where can I go to get more information
Activity and exercise
Before your surgery it is beneficial to try and make yourself more active, even small changes to your levels of physical activity can be beneficial.
Staying active
If you’re waiting or are not feeling your best, you may be less active. But, moving a little more whilst you wait can support and improve your health. It can help:
- your weight
- your mood
- you to socialise
- you to get outside
Regular exercise or activity before an operation can also reduce complications and your length of stay in hospital.
WHY MAKE THE CHANGE?
Movement is medicine
- Help you cope better with anaesthesia
- Lower risks linked to your treatment
- Speed up your recovery
HOW – SMALL CHANGE
- Take the stairs instead of the lift, park further away in the car park
- Take a gentle stroll – start slow while maintaining conversation breathing
- Set a step target, and try and achieve that on a regular basis. Each week look to increase your target over a prolonged period.
This link will provide you with exercises, and how to progress. Strength and balance exercises | NHS inform
| WHAT | WHY | HOW | MORE |
| Diet and nutrition
Losing weight in a steady and healthy way before surgery can reduce the risk of an operation. It’ll also help your recovery after the operation and support you to get fit faster.
|
· Being well nourished reduces risk of post-op complications and your length of stay in hospital.
· Reduced risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol · For every pound in weight you lose, this is equivalent to 4 pounds LESS load through your knee joint |
· Grill not fry
· Cut back on sugar and salt · Reduce fat intake · Include regular protein sources in your diet such as lean meats, fish, eggs, beans and pulses, milk and cheese. |
|
| Mental wellbeing
Having an operation is a major event in someone’s life and can cause stress and anxiety. Managing anxiety, encouraging positive thinking and developing coping can have a positive effect on your recovery and outcome from surgery. |
· Faster recovery and a less stressful treatment journey
· Prevent your mental health getting worse · Improve sleep
|
· Avoid bottling up problems – talk to your friends and family
· Contact your GP if you feel you would benefit from help · Relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises, mindfulness · Listen to music |
https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/patients/patient-information-resources/preparing-your-mind-surgery |
| Alcohol
If you stop or reduce your use of alcohol, it will improve your health, helping prepare you for surgery and support your recovery. |
The more alcohol you drink the higher the risk of complications during surgery including
· Bleeding and infections |
· Avoid drinking when relaxing watching the telly, try a non-alcoholic equivalent
· Reduce the glass size if having wine at the table or replace with an non-alcoholic alternative on at least two nights per week |
|
| Smoking
If you stop or reduce your use of tobacco, it will improve your health, helping prepare you for surgery and support your recovery. |
· Reduce lung problems after operation (e.g. chest infections)
· Reduced risk of heart attack during/after operation. · Reduced hospital stay |
· The Quit Your Way Service offers smokers throughout Dumfries and Galloway help in stopping smoking. | https://dghscp.co.uk/quit-your-way/v |
For national on Waiting Well please visit