The bottom line

1. We should continue to identify iron deficiency anaemia
2. Where present B12 and Folate deficiency should be corrected (via primary care)
3. PO Iron should be the default treatment, but Hb increment may be modest and take 4-6 weeks
4. IV Iron may still have a role in selected patients, but administration within 2 week of surgery is unlikely to be beneficial
5. Without additional risk factors, routine deferral of mildly anaemic patients is unlikely to be beneficial
6. Patients with a new diagnosis of incidental iron deficiency (unrelated to their surgical diagnosis) should be referred back to primary care for ongoing investigation