Urology in Northwood, Middlesex

At Bishops Wood Hospital in Northwood, Middlesex, a team of highly experienced Consultant Urological Surgeons provide assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of urological symptoms in people aged 18+.

Bishops Wood Hospital is located in Northwood in North West London, in the London Borough of Hillingdon. People visit us from local areas including Rickmansworth, Chorleywood, Pinner, Ruislip and Amersham, as well as Uxbridge, Chalfont and Watford. We also welcome patients from across the UK as well as abroad. When you go private, you can choose which hospital and which consultant are the best fit for you. 

Located on the site of the renowned Mount Vernon Hospital, our patients benefit from rapid access to experts, superb facilities, and modern treatment options.

A Consultant Urological Surgeon specialises in treating problems affecting the male and female urinary tract and the male reproductive system.

The urinary tract comprises the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The male reproductive system is formed by the prostate, penis, and testicles, and is responsible for sexual function.

The urinary tract filters the blood to remove waste products and excess fluid, which are then expelled from the body as urine. 

Damage, disease, or illness affecting the proper functioning of any part of the urinary tract can cause health problems, sometimes extremely serious ones requiring prompt medical intervention. 

Unfortunately, many people are embarrassed by urinary symptoms and will delay seeing a doctor until their symptoms become much more significant. However, it is always important to get expert medical assessment at the earliest possible stage if you have symptoms that are causing you concern or having a significant impact on life. 

If nothing of concern is found and no treatment is needed, that can be a relief to know. If anything is found and treatment is needed, it is equally good to know as it means you can access the help you need sooner.

If you would appreciate expert advice, it is very easy to book a private appointment with one of our experienced Consultants. They would be delighted to help you get the clarity you need. 

People visit the Consultants at Bishops Wood Hospital for different reasons, including:  

• Urinary symptoms
  • Blood in urine
  • Recurrent urinary infections
  • Difficulty urinating – hesitancy or weaker flow
  • Urgency / needing to rush to the toilet
  • Increased frequency of urination
  • Leakage / incontinence
  • Nocturia (urinating more frequently at night)
• Loin or bladder pain
• Stone disease
• Concerns around cancer of the prostate, kidney, or bladder
• Lump or swelling found in the testes, penis, or scrotum
• Penis / scrotal issues – including erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, or unusual curvature of the penis
• Raised PSA levels on a recent blood test
• Tight or painful foreskin 

Many urinary conditions and symptoms can be treated effectively without the need for surgery.

Non-surgical treatments

Some symptoms may be relieved with simple lifestyle changes like cutting down on caffeine and alcohol.

Incontinence can often be well managed with pelvic floor muscle exercises and/or bladder training.

Prescribed medication such as tablets or antibiotics can be effective at treating recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), stress incontinence, erectile dysfunction, or benign prostate enlargement (known as benign prostatic hyperplasia/BPH).

If non-surgical approaches are not successful at relieving your symptoms sufficiently, surgery may be advised.

Surgical treatments

Cystoscopy can be used to examine the urethra and bladder for any abnormalities, such as stones, growths, or blockages.

Many types of procedures within the urinary tract can be carried out with laparoscopy (keyhole surgery). Using only small incisions in the skin, bleeding and pain is reduced, scarring less visible, and recovery can be faster.

Stones in the kidney or renal tract can be treated in different ways, and your Consultant will discuss suitable options with you once a diagnosis has been made. (Stone surgery will be arranged for you off-site.)

Cancer in the prostate, kidney, bladder, or testicles, may be treated with surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. If referral to Oncology is needed, this will be arranged for you immediately, through our close links to the specialist teams at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre. 

A transurethral resection of a bladder tumour (TURBT) can establish the type of bladder tumour present. Superficial tumours can often be scraped away (‘resected’).

A radical prostatectomy (complete remove of the prostate and seminal vesicles) may be advised if prostate cancer is found that has not yet spread outside the prostate.

Testicular cancer will usually require surgical removal of the testicle (orchidectomy). This can be replaced by an artificial prosthesis to give the scrotum a more natural appearance. 

Enlarged prostate is a common problem in men, particularly with advancing age. If it presses on the urethra and effects urination, surgery can be carried out to reduce its size. Trans-urethral resection of the prostate (TURP) involves removing an amount of prostate tissue to relive the pressure on your urethra.

PVP GreenLight Laser surgery may also be used (but please note this will be carried out at another site, as it is not offered at Bishops Wood Hospital).

For men, surgery also includes circumcision, circumcision revision, vasectomy, and vasectomy reversal.

[Please note that many of the treatments above can be provided on-site at Bishops Wood Hospital, but others, such as robotic-assisted surgery or laser prostate surgery, are not available at the hospital and will be arranged for you off-site by your Consultant.] 

When you first visit Bishops Wood Hospital, your Consultant will take a medical history and ask you in detail about your symptoms. They will want to know:

• What symptoms do you have? 
• How long have you had these symptoms? 
• Have they been getting worse? 
• Do you have any pain? 
• Have you already received any treatment? 
• Are your symptoms affecting daily life? 
• Do you have any underlying health conditions? 

A physical examination will often be needed. In men, this may include a prostate examination (digital rectal examination/DRE), which is quick and painless. 

A Flow Rate test measures the speed and volume of urine passed and can give a good general indication of bladder function.

Blood tests are helpful when looking at possible infection, inflammation, or cancer. 

A flexible cystoscopy may be carried out to look for any blockage or narrowing along the urethra. 

Additional diagnostic scans like ultrasound, MRI and CT can easily be arranged for you on-site if required. 

Once any results are back and a diagnosis has been made, your Consultant will discuss things with you and talk through treatment options. If you have any questions or concerns, they will be very happy to talk through them with you during your private appointment. 

If anything is found that requires referral to another specialist, this is easily arranged for you on-site. 

Many of our patients are from Middlesex and the surrounding areas, but people do travel from further afield as well.

When you choose Bishops Wood Hospital, you benefit from: 

• Very short waiting times – We can arrange a private Urology appointment for you without delay to help you access any treatment you need sooner.
• Consultant-led care – You will always be seen by the same Consultant and will never be treated by a more junior doctor.
• Access to a wider team – When required, your Consultant can discuss treatment options with a wider healthcare team, including specialists in radiology, oncology, anaesthetics, and physiotherapy. 
• Location – We’re very easy to travel to! The hospital is located within the grounds of Mount Vernon Hospital. We suggest using the ‘Gate 3' entrance of Mount Vernon Hospital and then following the signs for Bishops Wood Hospital.