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Adequate time and facilities should be provided within the DSU to enable the multidisciplinary clinical team to undertake all aspects of the admission process; including clinical assessment, further discussion about the procedure and delivery of information.

Each DSU should have a fully equipped recovery area, staffed by recovery personnel trained to defined standards.^9,10,13

Dedicated day surgery secondary recovery areas should be provided, which are not part of an inpatient ward area. This area should ideally be separated into male and female wards.

Children should be separated from and not managed directly alongside adults throughout the patient pathway, including reception and recovery areas. Where complete separation is not possible, the use of screens or curtains, while not ideal, may provide a solution.^23,30

The secondary recovery area should provide essential close and continued supervision of all patients, who should be visible to the nursing staff while maintaining privacy and dignity.

The secondary recovery area should have single -sex patient toilet facilities and ability to provide drinks and snacks.²³

Secure storage for patients’ belongings and medications should be available.

Waiting areas should be available for parents and carers who need to be available to support patients immediately after surgery.

There should be equipment and facilities for blood tests and urine analysis.

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 must be complied with.⁸⁸ Staff should have regular training in the application of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and have defined access to patient advocates. This is a rapidly changing area, and clinicians should have access to expert advice.