Patient safety is extremely important including thrombosis and infection prevention. Blood clots in the calf (thrombosis) that can potentially extend or move within the veins (thromboembolism/VTE) are one of the well-known risks of surgery and their prevention has been the focus of a recent National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) committee. I am guided by this protocol and you will receive medication and instruction to minimise the risk of this complication.