Urology in Droitwich

Urology is the area of medicine involved in the diagnosis and treatment of problems in the male and female urinary tract and of the male reproductive system. A doctor who specialises in this area is a Consultant Urologist.

Your urinary tract is responsible for removing urine from the body. It consists of the bladder, kidneys, ureter (the tubes connecting your kidneys to your bladder) and urethra, as well as the prostate (in men).

If something causes a problem anywhere in the urinary tract – whether damage, disease or dysfunction – it can cause a range of symptoms, some of which may be quite concerning. Many people with urinary symptoms will want to see a specialist for assessment, advice and peace of mind.

Common reasons you may come and see our urologists include: 

• Urinary symptoms 
• Difficulty urinating 
• Weaker flow 
• Urgency/needing to rush to the toilet
• Increased frequency 
• Feeling like your bladder isn’t fully empty, even though you’ve just been to the toilet 
• Leakage/incontinence 
• Frequently getting up at night to urinate (nocturia) 
• Blood in urine 
• Lump found in genitalia 
• Penile/scrotal issues – such as erectile dysfunction 
• Recurrent bladder/urinary tract infections (UTIs) 
• A recent blood test has shown a raised PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) level

You may also be referred to us from another consultant or your GP if a recent scan has shown a stone or mass in your kidneys or bladder.

Many urinary symptoms in both men and women can often be treated without the need for surgery.

Making small changes to diet can help, like cutting back on how much tea or coffee you drink. Stopping heavy drinking can be helpful (for many different health reasons).

Medication such as tablets or antibiotics can be effective for a number of conditions such as recurrent UTIs, an enlarged prostate or erectile dysfunction.

If non-surgical options aren’t able to provide you with suitable symptom relief, surgery may be your best option.

This may involve passing special instruments through the urethra and into the bladder. Known as a transurethral procedure, a thin tube with a camera (cystoscope) is passed through your urethra and into the bladder. Surgical tools can be passed down the tube, allowing your surgeon to carry out a range of treatments, such as removal of small stones. A tissue sample (biopsy) can also be taken for further analysis if required.

Cystoscopy can be done in two different ways at The Droitwich Spa Hospital:

Flexible cystoscopy – a thin, flexible cystoscope is used. Usually used to look inside the bladder

Rigid cystoscopy – a slightly larger cystoscope that does not bend. This requires a general or spinal anaesthetic and is often used if any treatment is needed in the

A transurethral resection of a bladder tumour (TURBT) can be carried out to establish the type of bladder tumour present.

Stones in the kidney or renal tract can often be treated by extra-corporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL). This focusses acoustic energy onto the stone through the skin, breaking it up into small pieces so it can be easily dispersed. If this isn’t successful, other types of surgery can be carried out.

In men, surgery can be carried out to alter the size of the prostate in order to allow urine to flow more freely. A common operation is trans-urethral resection of the prostate (TURP). An alternative option is Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP), a minimally invasive treatment that uses a laser to cut away excess prostate tissue.

For men, a circumcision can be done to remove the foreskin.

There are a number of effective treatment available for many urological issues. Whether surgical or non-surgical, your urologist will ensure you always receive the best treatment for your specific symptoms and requirements.  If you’d appreciate expert treatment advice for your condition, why not book an appointment with one of our urologists now? 

When you come to The Droitwich Spa Hospital for your initial consultation, your consultant will take a medical history and ask you to describe your symptoms. They will want to know:

• What symptoms have you been experiencing? 
• How long have you had these symptoms? 
• Are you in pain? If so, can you describe it?  
• Have you previously had any treatment for this? 
• Does anything aggravate your symptoms (e.g. activity, time of day, certain foods or drinks)? 

Your consultant may want to perform a physical examination. 

A Flow Rate test can help assess speed and volume of urine passed, as well as general bladder function.

Blood tests may be requested to check for signs of infection or inflammation which may be causing your symptoms.

A cystoscope could be used to check for blockages. If a small stone is discovered, it may sometimes be possible to remove it at the same time. If the stone is too big for this, surgery can be planned at the earliest date.

Ultrasound scans of the prostate, bladder or kidney can also be helpful for some conditions and symptoms.

Your urologist will use the results of any tests, their clinical examination and your symptoms to make a diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan for you.

Treatments will often conservative (non-surgical) at first, with surgery being used if you aren’t able to get adequate relief of your symptoms. For some conditions though, surgery may be the first choice.

The choice to have treatment will always be yours to make, and your consultant will provide you with all the necessary details for you to make an informed decision.

The Droitwich Spa Hospital is well set up for assessment, diagnosis and treatment, making it the perfect choice for you. 

While many of our patients are fairly local to Droitwich Spa, excellent road links (including easy access to the M5) means that people travel from Birmingham, Shrewsbury, Bristol and further afield.

Many people are referred by their optician, GP or private medical insurance provider, while others are recommended by a friend or family member.

We treat private medical insurance and self-pay patients, and you can self-refer to avoid delay.

When you visit The Droitwich Spa Hospital for help with your urological condition, you will benefit from: 

Assessments ASAP – Urinary symptoms can be quite uncomfortable and will often interfere with your daily routine. We can book you an appointment with an experienced urologist quickly. With an earlier assessment and diagnosis, you will be able to start the right course of treatment sooner.

Patient Satisfaction – In an independent survey, 95.7% of patients said they were likely or highly likely to recommend us to their friends and family.

Personalised care – We believe in a bespoke approach to treatment, tailoring each experience to our patients’ needs and whatever may be best for you. This is regularly reviewed, ensuring you get the necessary treatment at every stage of your patient journey.

Fast access to experts – Your urologist has fast access to on-site specialists in other fields, like oncology, radiology, gynaecology. This multidisciplinary team ensures you will always see the most appropriate person for your condition at every stage of your treatment.

Convenient appointments – With urology appointments available throughout the week, you are sure to find an appointment slot that suits your needs and availability. We can also offer remote consultations by telephone or video call if required (and where clinically appropriate).

Free Parking – Our 53-space car park is free of charge. In order to validate your parking, just register your car with us at Reception when you first arrive.

If you’re experiencing any problems or symptoms within your urinary tract, or would like to meet with somebody to discuss adult circumcision or help with erectile dysfunction, why not book a consultation today to avoid delay and to get clarity about the best way forward?

For peace of mind and expert care, please contact The Droitwich Spa Hospital to book your urology appointment now. We very much look forward to welcoming you soon.