Staying in hospital, particularly when undergoing surgical treatment, may be emotionally distressing. Patients may have to deal with separation from family and friends, disruption to routine as well as the possibility of an uncertain future. Anxiety may be related to anticipation of painful or life-changing investigations, or the effects of surgery on the individual’s future family and social life. Therefore it is important that patients are given appropriate information to reassure them and enable informed decision making. This article outlines the importance of using targeted information to meet the needs of individual patients to reduce pre-operative anxiety.