Discharge information for people after a robotic prostatectomy

This information outlines the things that you need to take home after your robotic prostatectomy. Information on side effects, things to do after your prostatectomy and further support can be found on the robotic prostatectomy web page. Please ask your clinical nurse specialist (CNS) or ward nurse if you’d like a paper copy of this information. Our contact details are below in case you have questions once you’re discharged. 

Before you go home, make sure you have the following: 

• Catheter bags – we will give you a pack containing one leg bag and seven night bags. This is enough to last a week. We will also arrange for home delivery of more bags. Let your ward nurse know if you are staying at a different address so they deliver your supplies there. Call Nightingale Home Delivery Service on 0800 012 6779 if you need more. 
• Catheter leg straps – we’ll give you two pairs, they’re inside the leg bag pack. One strap goes through the top of the leg bag and attaches to your thigh. The other goes through the bottom and attaches to your thigh. A nurse will show you how to put the straps on. The straps can be washed. 
• Catheter bag stand – you can attach the night bag to this. Make sure that the bag is at a lower level than your bladder. 
• Incontinence pads – we will give you a few. You can buy more in a supermarket. Try to get ones designed for men’s underwear. 
• Compression stockings – we’ll give you two pairs. Make sure that they fit you well.
• Medicines – we will give you the following medicines: 
  • Pain medicine (Dihydrocodeine)
  • Laxatives
  • Blood thinning injections.
• Yellow sharps bin – put your used syringes in this. Don’t close it until it’s 3/4 full as you can’t reopen it once it’s closed. When you no longer need it, take it to: 
  • Your local pharmacy
  • GP surgery
  • Hospital
  • Or arrange to dispose it through your local council.
• Wound dressings – we will only give you these if you need them.
• Scissors and incontinence sheet – we will only give you these if you’re going to remove your catheter at home.
• Documents – these include: 
  • Discharge summary
  • Fit note – you only need this if you work. Please ask your CNS or ward nurse for this.
  • Home Trial WithOut Catheter (TWOC) appointment letter – we’ll only arrange this if we are going to remove your catheter at the hospital.
  • TWOC information sheet – we’ll only give you this if we have asked you to remove your catheter at home.

Contact Details

Prostate Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialists

Email: uclh.prostatecancercns@nhs.net  

Phone: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, excluding weekends and bank holiday: 07984 391 126

Out of hours, weekends and bank holidays: 

• 3rd Floor Urology Ward: 07930 353 227
• 2nd Floor Ward: 07903 870 416

UCLH MyCare 

You can get some test results, manage appointments and see GP letters on this. For more information about this ask your CNS or visit the MyCareUCLH web page.