Last week, we were delighted to attend the latest Surgery School patient event at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. Run by the fantastic UHSussex cardiac team, it’s a brilliant initiative helping patients feel supported and prepared for heart surgery.
Preparing for surgery can understandably feel daunting. Surgery School offers a great opportunity for patients and their families to meet and hear directly from the clinical teams who will be caring for them throughout their hospital journey.
From understanding how to get ready for surgery and the importance of looking after your emotional wellbeing, to knowing what to expect during your hospital stay and how to support your recovery, the presentations help patients feel informed, reassured, and more prepared for what lies ahead.
The Power of Lived Experience: Charlotte’s Story
While clinical guidance is incredibly important, one of the most valuable parts of the day is hearing from people with first-hand experience of heart surgery. Former patients share their personal experiences and stories, offering practical advice and honest insights that only someone with lived experience can provide.
At last week’s event, we were incredibly proud to have our wonderful volunteer, Charlotte, share her personal story. Charlotte spoke openly about how scary and anxiety-inducing the time before surgery can feel. She also provided reassurance by reminding everyone of the amazing care, compassion and support waiting for them at every step of the way.
During the break, Charlotte continued to support attendees by chatting one-to-one, answering questions about her experience, and offering realistic advice on what the transition back to normal life looks like after surgery.
Charlotte – you were brilliant!
Charlotte is pictured sharing her story and alongside Paige from the fantastic pre-assessment team. Paige was one of the many people who supported Charlotte throughout her own journey.
You Are Not Alone – The Teams Supporting Every Patient
There are so many different teams involved in patient care, from pre-assessment and anaesthetists to CICU staff and the cardiac rehabilitation team. What really stood out from the presentations was how deeply everyone cares about each patient. Every patient is on their own individual journey, and knowing there are so many dedicated and compassionate people ready to support them throughout their treatment must be incredibly reassuring.
The core ethos of Surgery School is to encourage and empower patients to take an active and engaged role in their own journey through surgery and recovery. Attendees also have the opportunity to ask questions directly to the teams, helping them understand what will happen, when – and why.
The key message of the day is simple yet profound: you’ve got this – and you are not alone.
This was the fifth Surgery School organised by the team – it’s always such a pleasure to be part of it. We love meeting the staff and patients, hearing their stories and seeing first-hand the positive impact the event has.
Pictured above are just some of the amazing members of the team who are part of the event. ❤️❤️
