What’s the difference between an outpatient procedure and a day-case procedure?

An outpatient procedure is a test or treatment carried out in one of our outpatient clinics. It’s simple enough for you to go home shortly afterwards, without needing time in a recovery area. This includes tests and treatments such as blood tests, scans, injections, and other minor procedures.

A day-case procedure usually takes place in a procedure room, or operating theatre, and requires a period of monitored recovery before you go home later the same day. If you have a day-case procedure in the surgical centre at Welbeck, you’ll have your own private room to prepare and recover in, supported by our dedicated nursing team. After a day-case procedure, you’ll usually need someone to collect you, especially if you’ve had a general anaesthetic or sedation.