Keeping as healthy as possible while you wait can help you manage your symptoms. Making small changes to improve your fitness, diet and mental health can help you recover more quickly.

We call this "Waiting Well". It reduces the risk of your appointment being delayed or cancelled because you are not well or fit enough. Improving your health will also help you recover quicker.

There are many things that you can do, some big and some small. It all helps. We have provided some links to give you some suggestions about things you can do and who you can get help from.

A healthy diet gives the body and mind energy to be active each day. Eating the right balance of healthy food helps prepare your body for your treatment or procedure and helps you to recover afterwards.

You can find information on different aspects of nutrition on the Surgery School website. Please scroll down to locate this information. 

Here are some other useful websites:

Managing weight is hard. Changing your diet just before a stressful event such as a procedure is even harder, but it can make a real difference to your health now and for the future.

If you need help with your weight, here are some useful websites:

When it comes to looking after yourself, your physical health is important. Being more active while you wait can help improve your health. The more time you stay active, the better the benefits on your health. Regular exercise or activity can also reduce complications and get you better quicker.

Here are some examples of things you can do:

  • Try and increase the distance that you walk each day
  • Take the stairs rather than the lift
  • Make your housework more energetic!
  • If you regularly go to a gym, speak to your exercise instructor

Any increase in physical activity makes a difference. Choose realistic goals for yourself based on your health condition - and choose something you enjoy.

Whatever you choose, the activity should be enough to get you a little out of breath and/or feel your heart rate increase and/or get a little sweaty.

If you are unsure about what is safe, please check with a health professional.

To help you get started, here are some more suggestions about small changes you can do to make a real difference:

Mental health and wellbeing can be affected by an illness or a condition, and we know that waiting for an appointment or procedure adds to this worry.

There are things you can do to help you feel more positive and get the most out of life. To help you get started, here are some suggestions of things to try.

Making small changes to your alcohol intake could have a positive impact on your health and wellbeing.

If you would like more information about safely cutting down on your alcohol, here are some ways you can get support.

Important: You are coming to a Smokefree Hospital and will not be able to smoke on site.

Stopping smoking will protect your health in lots of ways. If you’re waiting for a treatment or an operation, stopping smoking will help your body heal faster and you will be less likely to get an infection afterwards.

When you are waiting for a test or treatment it can be stressful, and it doesn’t always feel like an easy time to quit. With support and stop smoking medication you are up to three times more likely to quit than trying alone.

For help, please get in contact with:

For Portsmouth PO1-PO6 postcodes
Stop smoking - Portsmouth Wellbeing Service or call 023 9229 4001

For other Hampshire postcodes
Smokefree Hampshire | Help to Stop Smoking in Hampshire or call 0800 772 3649 or text QUIT to 80011

For Isle of Wight residents Smokefree Island | Help to Stop Smoking Isle of Wight or call 01983 642369

Vaping

Lots of people have questions about vaping. If you’ve never smoked, the NHS doesn’t recommend starting to vape, but it can be a really good way of quitting smoking.

There are much fewer dangerous chemicals in a vape than in a cigarette. Your local stop smoking team may be able to give you free vapes or vouchers to help you make the switch.

For more information visit Vaping to quit smoking - Better Health - NHS and get in contact with your local team listed above.

Managing pain isn’t just about taking painkillers or medicines, there are other small things that you can do to help with pain and care for yourself.

The NHS has put together a list of 10 ways you can help control pain.

  1. Get some gentle exercise
  2. Control your breathing when you are in pain
  3. Read books or leaflets on pain to understand what is happening
  4. Talking therapies can help with pain
  5. Distract yourself
  6. Talk to other people about what you are going through
  7. Try and get into a good sleep routine
  8. Try a self-management course and learn new skills to manage your pain
  9. Keep in touch with family and friends
  10. Practice relaxation techniques

Money can be a worry if you or a family member needs to take time off work because illness or to care for someone who is unwell. There is support to help you.

You can refer yourself to a community social worker. They will let you know if they can help. They may refer you to other agencies for help.

You can also get in touch with the social services department of your local council and ask for a care needs assessment. You can find out if you’re eligible for any funding. or if someone is looking after you qualities for Carers Allowance.

Here are some resources that may be of use if you are concerned about your finances:

If you are a carer and need support, the following links may be helpful.