The Emergency Departments are experiencing high volumes of patients who need care. Please be prepared to wait. The most serious cases are treated first.
Not all health concerns need emergency care. You can also book a virtual visit or go to an urgent care clinic for these concerns. For life-threatening symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.
Thank you for your patience.
Surgery outpatient clinics at Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN) help patients prepare for surgery and learn what to expect. This guide shares what will happen when you come for your clinic appointment.
After your surgery is booked, we will call you to schedule your appointment at one of our Pre-Surgical Clinics. Some patients may not need to come for an appointment before surgery. If you cannot go to your appointment, call the clinic at least 48 hours in advance.
Your surgeon may decide you need an appointment at the Pre-Surgical Clinic before surgery. You will meet with an anesthetist and/or an internal medicine doctor. The need for an appointment will depend on:
If you need an appointment, it will be scheduled in the two weeks leading up to your surgery. We will call you with your appointment date and time.
When you arrive for your appointment, use the main entrance. Go to patient registration on the second floor to register for your appointment. The volunteers at the information desk can help you find patient registration. The information desk is at the main entrance.
Your surgeon may decide you need to meet with an anesthesiologist and/or an internal medicine doctor before surgery.
If your surgeon has asked you to do lab work and an EKG, please complete these:
Appointments take place one to four weeks before surgery. If we have not called you to book an appointment and your surgery is in less than one week, please call us at 519-749-6908.
When you arrive at WRHN @ Queen’s Blvd., use the main entrance. Go to the main registration, which is past Tim Hortons on the right.
If you would like a family member or care partner to come with you to your appointment, we can help you plan this. Call us at 519-749-6908 and ask to speak to the Pre-Surgical Clinic.
When you come for your appointment, it is important to bring all the medicines you take. This includes prescription medicines, vitamins, and supplements. Please bring medicines in their original containers, not a list. We need to see all the medicines you take to be able to keep you safe during surgery.
You will also need to bring the following to your appointment:
We recommend bringing someone to help you if English is not your first language. If you will need an interpreter, contact the Patient Experience Team at 519-749-4730 or [email protected]. Children under the age of 16 must have a parent or legal guardian with them.
The Pre-Surgical Clinics prepare you for your surgery. During your appointment you:
will be assessed by a nurse
will meet with an anaesthesiologist and/or an internal medicine doctor
Please be prepared to spend up to four hours at the clinic. An average visit may last anywhere between one to three hours.
If you do not go to your appointment, we may need to cancel your surgery.
