Expert assessment and treatment of urological symptoms.
We have a dedicated private prostate cancer centre at the hospital offering rapid diagnosis, with blood tests, MRI and biopsy as well as state of the art treatment services. Patients will receive reassurance for prostate symptoms and, if required, a tailored treatment plan and distinct ongoing care from dedicated urologists, oncologists and cancer nurse specialists.
Read our dedicated page on the Prostate Cancer Centre.
The leading urology clinicians work in unison with other medical professionals, including radiographers, physiotherapists and specialist nursing teams, to offer fast, unobstructed access to renowned urology treatment with appointment times to suit you.
Book your initial appointment with Ross Hall Hospital's private urology service today.
The potential severity of conditions relating to the urology speciality, including prostate cancer, require a comprehensive range of diagnostic, screening and biopsy facilities as well as an experienced team of consultants to thoroughly manage and treat.
You can book an initial private consultation with Ross Hall Hospital's urologists if you are experiencing any of these symptoms:
At your initial consultation, your specialist urologist will discuss suitable investigative tests and treatments for a fast and accurate diagnosis and will provide reassurance for prostate symptoms.
We regularly see patients who require:
All diagnostics and treatment will be carried out by the professional urology team here at Ross Hall Hospital. Our multidisciplinary team will tailor your treatment to ensure a fast recovery and will make sure you thoroughly understand the process by answering any questions you may have.
Your consultant will discuss and assess your symptoms and medical history with you to get a thorough picture of the situation, note any concerns and determine the appropriate next steps.
Depending on your condition and severity of symptoms, your consultant may request further tests be carried out to assess your potential situation in more detail. If, upon inspection, they suspect there is a possibility you could have prostate cancer, they will refer you to the Prostate Cancer Centre at Ross Hall Hospital.
If your consultant doesn't suspect prostate cancer, they may still want to carry out additional tests to assess your condition further. Simple tests such as ultrasounds or blood tests are often available on the same day as your initial appointment, but specialised testing such as an MRI or CT Scan will usually be available within a few days of your appointment and will be arranged at a time and day that suits you.
The following are common tests that your urologist may recommend to investigate your condition further:
On completion of the necessary tests, a follow-up consultation will be booked to discuss the results of your blood tests and diagnostic scans with your consultant and to determine a treatment plan.
If further testing, surgery or referral to another specialist within Ross Hall Hospital is required, we'll make sure you thoroughly understand the process and answer any questions you may have before arranging the next stage of your journey.
The experienced urology consultants are able to provide fast diagnostics and comprehensive treatment for a variety of urinary tract conditions, from urinating problems to prostate cancer.
We are proud to offer you easy access to the highest quality private healthcare available. Our extensive facilities include unparalleled comfort and cleanliness, as well as advanced technology used to promote the modern techniques and treatments used at Ross Hall Hospital.
We are very proud of the characteristics that set our Urology unit apart and are pleased to offer our patients:
We understand the difficulty experienced when suffering from various urological conditions. If you are suffering from symptoms or are concerned about the possibility of prostate cancer, you'll want to know you are in the best hands to help you through to an accurate diagnosis and full recovery. Our professional team is here to help you through every stage of your journey. Give us a call or book online today.
Rezum is a minimally invasive procedure which uses steam to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), where there is excess growth of prostate tissue which constricts and obstructs the urethra, causing symptoms including frequency and urgency to urinate and an irregular urine flow.
Rezum is carried out using local anaesthetic and sedation, or in some cases under a brief general anaesthetic. The Consultant Urologist will use a hand-held device to deliver small injections of steam through the water-pipe (urethra) into the surrounding prostate tissue - this helps to shrink the enlarged gland by causing the obstructive prostate tissue to die. Once the extra tissue is removed, the urethra will open and symptoms should be reduced.
You will likely be in hospital for half a day and should be able to be driven home after the procedure.
As with any procedure, there is the possibility that temporary side effects may occur during the healing period. Please click here for more information on Rezum and its potential temporary side effects.
At Ross Hall Hospital in Glasgow, we are the only private hospital in Scotland who provide robotic surgery to patients. Specifically, we utilise the Da Vinci surgical system to perform robotic prostatectomies.
How does the Da Vinci surgical system work?
The Da Vinci robot is made up of a number of mechanical arms which your surgeon controls through a linked console. Syncing the surgeon’s hand movements in real time, the robotic arms mimic the movements exactly. The benefit lies in the range of motion the robotic instruments have compared to the natural hand and wrist – this enables smaller, even more precise movements to be made by your surgeon.
The Da Vinci robot enables minimally invasive surgery and removes the need for you to be ‘opened up.’ The robot uses a system made of tiny surgical instruments which are inserted through one, or a few, very small incisions, as well as a camera which allows the surgeon to watch everything that is happening via an HD, 3D image.
What are the benefits of the Da Vinci surgical system?
The most important benefit that comes with using the Da Vinci robot is the ability it gives surgeons to use even smaller and more precise movements than they would be able to with their own hands. As a result, we are able to perform more minimally invasive surgery than we would otherwise be able to carry out without the robot. The increased dexterity and preciseness in the robot’s movements means greater precision during surgery, enhanced surgical accuracy, and overall improved surgical outcomes.
There are numerous benefits of minimally invasive surgery which are enhanced with the use of the Da Vinci robot including:
Robotic Prostatectomies using the Da Vinci robot
A robotic prostatectomy is a well-established surgical practice and has been shown to offer better overall outcomes in terms of urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction compared to non-robotic surgical techniques.
The procedure is performed under general anaesthetic, meaning you will be asleep throughout the duration of the prostatectomy – this will usually take between two to three hours. Your surgeon will use the Da Vinci robot to make small incisions in your abdomen to gain access to your prostate. From here, they will insert a small camera as well as the specifically designed surgical tools required.
Your surgeon will then remove your prostate gland and the surrounding tissues as well as the seminal vesicles, which are removed via one of the small incisions. More so, if required, your surgeon can remove the lymph nodes from around your prostate gland.
The Da Vinci robot allows your surgeon to be extremely precise in removing the prostate and vesicles, only targeting the diseased tissue and wherever possible avoiding the other delicate surrounding structures including nerves, blood vessels and muscles.
With this robotic approach, your surgeon is able to view an ultra-clear HD view of the inside of your abdomen; the magnified view this provides them in harmony with the minute surgical tools allows them to operate with more accuracy than ever before.
Who needs a robotic prostatectomy?
Having your prostate removed is just one amongst many treatments available for those with prostate cancer. A robotic prostatectomy is a treatment option for prostate cancer which is localised – this means confined to the prostate.
Your surgeon will be able to discuss whether they recommend you undergo this treatment or not. You may be recommended to have a robotic prostatectomy if:
Consultants
Professor Imran Ahmad, Mr Jaimin Bhatt, and Mr Lorenzo Dutto are the Consultant Urological Surgeons who offer robotic prostatectomies using the Da Vinci robot at Ross Hall Hospital. The rest of our Consultant Urological Surgeons are also able to refer patients on to either Professor Ahmad, Mr Bhatt or Mr Dutto to carry out the procedure if required.
Our Consultant Urological Surgeons work closely with our Oncology Department to formulate an appropriate, tailored treatment plan for patients, ensuring continuity and an established line of communication between the teams throughout your treatment.
Associated Risks
There are certain risks associated with a robotic prostatectomy using the Da Vinci robot, as there are with any medical treatment. Some of these risks and complications include short/long-term urinary incontinence and short/long-term erectile dysfunction, amongst others.
Your consultant will discuss associated risks and complications with you prior to treatment.
Recovering from your robotic prostatectomy using the Da Vinci robot
Your recovery time with a robotic prostatectomy is usually quicker than ‘open surgery.’ However, this is still a form of major surgery and as such you need to rest and give your body time to heal.
It is recommended you avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting for at least a month after your procedure. More so, you should expect to take around a month off work – however, this will depend on your profession and working conditions.
There are two types of prostate biopsy, trans-rectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided biopsy, and transperineal biopsy. At Ross Hall Hospital, we offer both.
What does a prostate biopsy involve?
A trans-rectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided biopsy is when the needle goes through the wall of the rectum. During a TRUS guided biopsy, a thin needle is used to take small samples of tissue through the wall of the rectum. With your legs brought up to your chest, you will lie on your side. Using a gel to ease comfort, an ultrasound probe will then be inserted into your rectum. The purpose of the probe is to scan the prostate and provide a live image for the surgeon to use in guiding them to where they should take cells from. Alternatively, if you have previously had an MRI scan, the surgeon may use the images provided by the scan to aid them in their decision making of where to retrieve prostate cell samples from.
You will be given local anaesthetic to numb the area surrounding your prostate. From here, the surgeon places a needle next to the probe in your rectum, before inserting the needle through the wall of the rectum and into the prostate. It is normal for around 10 or so small samples of tissue from around the area within the prostate to be taken. However, once more, if MRI imaging is used, the process may vary in that less samples are required to be taken.
The procedure itself takes around 5-10 minutes. However, after your biopsy, your surgeon may request you urinate before you return home. The biopsy can sometimes cause the prostate to swell – urinating before returning home will ensure peace of mind knowing you can urinate properly.
A transperineal biopsy is when the needle is inserted between the testicles and the rectum – the perineum. A transperineal biopsy can be undertaken with either local or general anaesthetic – this will be discussed with your surgeon prior to the procedure. The surgeon will insert an ultrasound probe into your rectum, using a gel to ease comfort. The probe will show an image of the prostate on screen, guiding the surgeon and the biopsy needle.
The procedure itself takes between 20-40 minutes on average. After your biopsy, your surgeon may request you urinate before you return home. The biopsy can sometimes cause the prostate to swell – urinating before returning home will ensure peace of mind knowing you can urinate properly.
Advantages
There are numerous advantages to a prostate biopsy. Firstly, and most importantly, it is the only way to find out if there is cancer present within your prostate. More so, it can identify how aggressive the cancer is likely to be, and as such, the likelihood of it spreading. A prostate biopsy also enables faster growing cancer to be identified at an earlier stage, helping to prevent the cancer from spreading out with the prostate.
Consultants
Professor Imran Ahmad, Mr Jaimin Bhatt, and Mr Lorenzo Dutto are the Consultant Urological Surgeons who offer prostate biopsies at Ross Hall Hospital. The rest of our Consultant Urological Surgeons who do not offer this service are also able to refer patients on to either Professor Ahmad, Mr Bhatt, or Mr Dutto to carry out the prostate biopsy if required.
Our Consultant Urological Surgeons work closely with our Oncology Department to formulate an appropriate, tailored treatment plan for patients, ensuring continuity and an established line of communication between the teams throughout your treatment.
Associated Risks
There are certain risks associated with a prostate biopsy, as there are with any medical treatment. Some of these risks and complications include pain, inflammation, problems with urinating, and short-term bleeding. Your consultant will discuss associated risks and complications with you prior to treatment.
The Procedure
The prostate is located in close proximity to the rectum and is only separated by a small space. Therefore, when undergoing radiotherapy for prostate cancer, the risk of unintentional damage to the rectum and subsequent issues with bowel function is heightened. SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel is injected via needle, delivered as a liquid between the rectum and the prostate.
The hydrogel acts as a ‘spacer,’ creating a barrier between the rectum and the prostate, with the goal of decreasing injury to the rectum. This occurs by pushing the prostate further away from the rectum, which consequently ensures the radiation dose delivered to the rectum is lessened, in turn aiming to reduce and minimise the side effects of the radiotherapy. The Hydrogel is delivered under local anaesthesia. The procedure generally takes around 1 hour in theatre.
The SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel remains in place for approximately three months, before being naturally absorbed by the body and passed as urine in around six months. SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel is largely made of water – around 90% - and polyethylene glycol (PEG). These ingredients combine to form a soft gel material. These PEG materials have undergone extensive biocompatibility and safety testing, and are also used in a variety of other medical applications including surgical sealants used in the spine, eye and brain (Boston Scientific, 2023).
Consultants
Professor Imran Ahmad, Consultant Urological Surgeon, and Dr Abdulla Alhasso, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, are the consultants who offer SpaceOAR Hydrogel at Ross Hall Hospital. They work closely with our Oncology Department to formulate an appropriate, tailored treatment plan for patients. The consultants work both at Ross Hall Hospital and the Beatson Cancer Centre – where the radiotherapy is carried out – ensuring continuity and an established line of communication between the centres throughout your treatment.
Associated Risks
There are certain risks associated with SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel, as there are with any medical treatment. Some of these risks and complications include pain, inflammation, problems with urinating, and constipation. Your consultant will discuss associated risks and complications with you prior to treatment.
The procedure utilises a ‘steerable’ fibreoptic telescope (Ureteroscope), in conjunction with a laser (Lasertripsy), to fragment stones in the kidney itself. Using this method to break the stones up allows for them to be removed with precision and ease.
The main benefit of this procedure is that it is minimally invasive and hence more comfortable for patients. As well as this, it is often carried out as a day case procedure, meaning patients can return home the same day. Recovery times are also normally fast, and patients can expect a generally quick return to work and normal activities.
Urodynamics refers to the set of medical tests used to assess how well your bladder is functioning. These tests are able to identify the issues that may lead to problems including incontinence or retention, whilst they also aid your consultant in being able to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for you.
What does urodynamic testing involve?
Your Consultant Urologist or Gynaecologist will work closely with you to determine if urodynamic testing is appropriate to use in properly diagnosing your condition. If they do recommend you for urodynamic testing, they will explain what you can expect during the tests and what the results may indicate regarding your condition.
At your initial consultation, your specialist consultant will discuss both your medical history and symptoms with you in detail. More so, they may also perform a physical examination and recommend diagnostic tests or scans including a urine test or pelvic ultrasound – this will help to make a more accurate diagnosis. This initial consultation is a crucial step in creating your personalised treatment plan for your condition.
Should you require any urodynamic testing, your consultant will refer you on to our specialist nurse to carry out these tests. The results of these tests will be sent back to your consultant who will then discuss the appropriate next steps in your treatment journey.
What is urodynamic testing able to diagnose?
Urodynamic testing takes place at Ross Hall Clinic Braehead in Glasgow and is used to both diagnose and evaluate a number of bladder conditions. These include:
Mr Lorenzo Dutto, Consultant Urological Surgeon at Ross Hall Hospital, discusses the Robotic Prostatectomy procedure as a treatment for prostate cancer. Using the Da Vinci Surgical System, this robotic procedure brings with it numerous potential benefits for the patient including shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times.
Consultant urological surgeon Mr Jaimin Bhatt shares his expert knowledge on rezum treatment for an enlarged prostate.
This minimally invasive treatment is a simple and effective approach to treating an enlarged prostate, which can cause a range of uncomfortable urinary symptoms.
Are you in search of expert information about bladder cancer? You’re in the right place. Mr Jaimin Bhatt, Consultant Urological Surgeon at Ross Hall Hospital, answers some of your most commonly asked questions about bladder cancer, including the risk factors and common treatment options.
Are you struggling with unpleasant prostate symptoms and want to get help? We sit down with Professor Imran Ahmad, Consultant Urological Surgeon at Ross Hall Hospital, to discuss.
What is laser stone fragmentation surgery and what is the recovery process like? We talk with Mr Sarath Nalagatla, Consultant Urological Surgeon at Ross Hall Hospital, about this effective treatment for kidney stones.
We are able to offer patients a new minimally invasive approach to the removal of kidney stones through the use of laser. Mr Nkem Umez-Eronini, Consultant Urological Surgeon, is one of our specialists at the hospital offering this service.
