Our Hospital

Your Wellbeing

As a hospital rather than a clinic, patients have always been our priority. From the very first operation ever carried out at the Alexandra, surgery here has had one fundamental purpose at its core — the physical and psychological wellbeing of each and every patient.

Before a surgeon confirms that a patient is suitable for a specific surgical procedure, that surgeon establishes the following important points (amongst others):

• The reasons why the patient wants to have surgery.
• That these reasons relate to the patient’s wellbeing in body and in mind.
• That the patient is making the decision to have surgery of his or her own free will.
• That the patient has fully understood the information provided, including the risks and benefits of surgery, and that all of the patient’s questions have been answered.

The surgeon also wants the patient to know that surgery is not an instant nor magic solution. Postoperative recovery and healing take time, results are subjective, and an ‘ideal’ body is never guaranteed.

The patient’s consultation with the surgeon is an essential part of this process, with a discussion of risks and benefits, and an evaluation of that patient’s presenting condition.

Surgery is only undertaken if the surgeon is satisfied that there are good clinical reasons to proceed, and that surgery may be of benefit to the patient’s wellbeing, physically and psychologically.