Useful information whilst waiting
You might feel a bit ‘stuck’ whilst waiting for your appointment, procedure or surgery. But there are things you can do to help you arrive for your care in the best possible health.
Looking after your mind and body can reduce the risks of surgery. This can also help you recover more quickly afterwards. Being overweight can also affect the level of treatment you can have. We may need to delay surgery as being overweight can cause extra risks.
Taking care of yourself will also help you feel more in control.
What you do now can have a really big impact. Even small steps can make a big difference.
Get ready for your appointment or diagnostic test
Check out our outpatient web pages for information to help you prepare for your appointment. This includes things like what to expect, how video calls work, and how to ask for help with transport.
We also have information on our website about different diagnostic tests that you may need. This includes:
Get ready for surgery
Patient information from the Royal College of Anaesthetists
This has information about what anaesthesia is, how to get ready for surgery and what to expect while you recover. You can also use their Patient Information Search Tool to find the information which is most relevant to you and the type of surgery you are having.
Joe Wicks helps people get fit for surgery
The Centre for Perioperative Care has partnered with Joe to create two 10-minute online workouts for people waiting for surgery. These are particularly suitable for older people.
My Health Devon: Are you in shape for surgery?
Advice from clinicians in Devon about getting ready for surgery and signposting to support.
Royal College of Anaesthetists: preparing for surgery
This provides lots of advice and tips about what to expect and how to prepare for surgery.
Supporting your mental health
Royal College of Anaesthetists: preparing your mind for surgery
Includes a series of recordings that can help you relax before surgery and develop a positive mindset.
My Health Devon: Supporting your mental health
Signposts to lots of different support available to help you improve your mental health, including apps, courses and more.
TALKWORKS: Devon’s NHS Talking Therapies service
This service from Devon Partnership NHS Trust can help if you're struggling with things like feelings of depression, excessive worry, social anxiety, feeling stressed or having panic attacks. You can refer yourself directly, or a GP can refer you.
Managing pain
My Health Devon: Understanding and managing pain
Includes videos, advice for exercising when you have an ongoing pain problem and information on pain medication.
General advice to reduce pain, including signposting to resources.
Support to manage long-term health conditions
My Health Devon: HOPE Programme
The HOPE (Help Overcoming Problems Effectively) Programme supports individuals with a long-term health condition to consider “what is important to me?”. It aims to build their confidence and resilience to better manage their condition(s), symptoms and challenging experiences that may arise. It’s a free course and typically there are six weekly sessions.
Living well
Royal Devon video library: healthy living
A collection of patient information videos with healthy lifestyle advice.
Diabetes UK: find out your risk of type 2 diabetes
Having diabetes may mean you have more risk of problems after surgery. This is a free, quick and online tool to find out your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
General information about eating well from the NHS, including advice about food and diet, recipes and tips and information about digestive health.
Includes the popular Couch to 5k app and NHS Active 10 app.
Includes the free NHS Weight Loss Plan app, healthy choices quiz and BMI calculator.
NHS Managing weight with a learning disability
People with a learning disability are more likely to have problems with their weight. This web page has advice for carers of a person with a learning disability.
NHS Digital Weight Management Programme
A 12-week online behavioural and lifestyle programme supporting adults living with obesity who also have a diagnosis of diabetes, hypertension or both.
Includes a free Mind Plan, wellbeing tips and email support programmes to ease anxiety and sleep better.
NHS Drink less alcohol support
Includes top tips, healthy choices quiz and where you can get a free blood pressure check.
Local drug and alcohol support: Together
This service has three main hubs in Exeter, Newton Abbot and Barnstaple as well as outreach services. They help people to cut down or stop drug or alcohol use.
Includes a free Personal Quit Plan and NHS Quit Smoking app.
Local stop smoking support: Stop for Life Devon
This local and free support service in Devon includes expert coaching, smoking cessation aids and the Best-You app.
Sign up to MY CARE
If you sign up to MY CARE, once your care with us starts you’ll be able to access your appointment details, test results and more. Please note you won’t see any updates about waiting times in MY CARE.