What documents will need to be brought on the day of the appointment?
You are required to bring along the child’s red book, birth certificate (if issued) and photographic ID (e.g. passport or driving license) for both parents.
Do both parents need to be present?
For children under the age of 16 years we require both parents to be present and sign the consent form. Exceptions to this rule apply to single parents and other similar cases. Please speak to one of our administration staff if both parents are not able to attend for the appointment and we will be able to advise you accordingly.
On the day of circumcision
On arrival at the clinic please report to the front desk. You will take a seat in our waiting area and when the doctor is ready you will be called into the private operating room.
Before the procedure you will have an initial consultation, during which you will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
Once the procedure is explained, you will need to sign the consent form.
The patient will be examined by the doctor to make sure he is healthy and that the circumcision can proceed safely.
You will be at the surgery for up to 2 hours, allowing you to change your mind, and calm your child if they are nervous or ask any further questions, after signing off the consent and the procedure taking place.
What type of anesthetic is used and will my child feel any pain?
Before the circumcision, the penis is made numb by injecting a medicine around the base of the penis. This is called a local anesthetic and takes effect by 90 seconds, this ensures that there is no pain during the circumcision procedure. After the injection, the doctor will wait a few minutes for the anesthetic to take effect, test the foreskin, and only when he is certain that the child is unable to feel localised pain, he will begin the circumcision. The type of anesthetic we use can last for up to two hours.
Will my child cry?
Every baby and child is different. We have had babies and children who have not cried for the injection and have remained quiet during the entire circumcision procedure. Other babies and children start crying as soon as they are undressed and put on the bed.
Will my child be awake?
We use a local anesthetic to numb the penis. This means that the patient is not put to sleep. However some babies and young children find it soothing to use a soother.
Can parents stay in the room during the circumcision?
We encourage parents to stay in the operating room during the entire circumcision procedure. However, some parents feel more comfortable to wait outside the operating room whilst circumcision is being carried out. Sometimes other family members, like grandparents and aunts, remain with the child whilst the parents wait outside. We appreciate this can be an anxious time for parents and will try to accommodate whatever they are comfortable with.
Can we bring toys, computer games and other forms of distraction?
For some children, it helps them to watch or listen to something on an electronic device such as an iPad or mobile phone. Some children are distracted during the circumcision procedure by a song or cartoon that is playing on an electronic device.
What method of circumcision is used?
The Plastibell Circumcision Technique
The Plastibell is a clear plastic ring with a handle and a deep groove running around it. This was invented in America in 1950 and is now one of the most popular circumcision methods used in the UK, USA, Australia, and New Zealand.
After administering the local anaesthetic, the penis and foreskin are separated by gentle pushing. Then a cut is made from the top of the foreskin allowing it to be pushed back and the Plastibell to be placed in position.
The appropriate sized Plastibell is chosen and placed over the head of the penis. It is then covered over by the foreskin. A ligature is tied firmly around the foreskin in order to hold the skin against a groove in the Plastibell. Then the excess skin is carefully trimmed off. Finally, the handle of the plastibell is broken off at the end of the procedure. The entire circumcision procedure takes 10 to 15 minutes. The ring falls off within 7 days, leaving a small wound that will heal over the following weeks. No stitches are required.
What aftercare is provided?
Once the procedure is finished you will be taken to a separate recovery room. The doctor will go through the aftercare in more detail, you will also have the aftercare written guide to take home with you, this is so that you know exactly what to expect and how to take care of the wound. The Circumcision Clinic provides comprehensive aftercare service. You are given a telephone number that will allow 24-hour direct access to the doctor. Detailed written circumcision aftercare information will also be provided so that our parents and patients know exactly what to expect and do.
Parents and patients are encouraged to contact us with any questions or queries relating to the circumcision.
What are your infection control policies?
Our circumcision clinic operating theatres are modern and of a high standard. They are equipped with electro-hydraulic operating beds and overhead theatre lights. This ensures a safe operating environment.
We have strict infection control procedures that meet all Care Quality Commission standards.
After the circumcision we dispose of all used materials. This ensures that we comply with the highest level of infection control and reduce the risk of our patients acquiring any type of infection. Because of this we do not use certain circumcision methods that require the same equipment to be reused on other patients.
What are your restraining policies?
The doctor will only restrain the legs of a child during the administration of the local anaesthetic, which involves injecting a needle around the base of the penis.
Where a child shows signs of extreme distress or resistance and the doctor feels it would be harmful to restrain and administer the anaesthetic, the procedure will be cancelled.
The clinic does not perform procedures over the year of one year. After the local anaesthetic is applied the arms and legs are restrained with crepe bandages, the parents are present during the procedure to calm and reassure the baby it has been explained to them during the consent.