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The day surgery unit should have no capacity to accept inpatient or emergency patients who are not on a planned day surgery pathway.^5,9

Adequate time and facilities should be provided within the day surgery unit to enable the multidisciplinary day surgery clinical team to undertake all aspects of the admission process, including clinical examination, further discussion about the procedure and delivery of information while maintaining patient dignity and privacy.^12,33,34

The minimum operating facility required is a dedicated operating session in a properly equipped operating theatre to the same standards as an inpatient theatre.^12,34

Secure storage for patients’ belongings, clothes and medications should be available while they undergo their surgery.³⁴

Waiting areas should be available for parents and carers who are providing support to patients immediately after surgery.^12,33,34

Children should be separated from and not cared for 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.^32,33

Dedicated second-stage recovery (which is usually the day surgery ward) should be provided separately from inpatient ward areas. Ideally, this area should have a single-sex set-up with respect for gender identity.³⁸

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

The day surgery ward should have the facility to provide drinks and snacks after surgery.³⁴

Equipment to allow full individualised preoperative assessment for day surgery patients should be available, including a 12-lead ECG machine, a sphygmomanometer for blood pressure, weighing scales and equipment for taking blood samples to the same standard as for inpatient preoperative assessment.^12,17