Urology patients will benefit from a faster diagnosis following the launch of a new unit at Colchester Hospital.
Patients are referred to the urology team from their GP for recurrent bladder infections, blood in their wee or issues with kidney stones. They’re then seen through a variety of clinics in different areas at Colchester Hospital.
The urology team.
A new urology diagnostic unit has been developed to bring all the clinics together. There is a new nursing team helping to fast-track patients’ diagnosis.
The new unit will operate five days a week. It will bring a quicker diagnosis for patients with suspected bladder cancer tumours, or other urological issues.
Rachel Pyman is interim general manager for Urology and Vascular. Rachel said: “The unit will streamline the process for patients, and diagnose tumours quicker. So it will be a much better patient experience.”
Patients referred to the urology department will have investigations like flexible cystoscopy (to investigate what’s happening in their bladder), or prostate biopsies. In the new unit we perform tests and treatments such as flow rates, urodynamics, trial without catheter and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) treatment.
The unit also performs lithotripsy treatment for kidney stones one day per week. The ESNEFT urology department has recently purchased a static lithotripter, to provide a five-day service in the future.
Rachel added: “Having this unit and extra staff means we have a much larger capacity to see more patients.
“We already have one nurse carrying out cystoscopies, which are normally performed by registrars. Our medium term plan is to see this increase to three nurse. Our a longer-term plan is a nurse-led cystoscopy and prostate biopsy service.”
Sam Datta is Clinical Director for Urology and Vascular. Sam said: “This unit will allow timely investigation and diagnostics for patients on cancer and non-cancer pathways. This matches our Trust philosophy of ‘time matters’.
“Our team is committed to the New Urology Diagnostic Unit. Over the next few months it will provide a high quality, patient-focused bespoke investigation and treatments for urological patients.”
The new unit covers patients in the north Essex area. Patients in Suffolk are able to access services at the Urology Investigation Suite at Ipswich Hospital.