A new dedicated space for urology is being created at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary to offer a better patient experience and speed up hospital treatment for some forms of cancer.
Urology is the surgical specialism that involves treating conditions affecting the urinary tract, including the kidneys and bladder.
University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust Clinical Director for Surgery and Critical Care Miss Wendy Craig said: “The new Urology Department at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary is an important development for the urology service, allowing us to extend the ‘one stop clinic’ service that we already offer at Barrow and Kendal to the Lancaster site.
“The new facility will significantly speed up the hospital treatment pathway for patients needing treatment for bladder or prostate cancer, and reduce the amount of travel required by patients to access treatment.
“As well as being able to treat people more quickly, the unit will also offer a better experience in a purpose-built dedicated space for urology patients.”
The new department, due to open in early 2024, will include four clinic rooms, space for minor surgical procedures like vasectomies, facilities for ultrasound scanning and ‘urodynamics’ bladder function testing, and offices for clinical and support staff.
Cancer diagnostic services offered from the facility will include flexible cystoscopy, a procedure used to examine the inside of the bladder, and biopsies for suspected prostate cancer.
Specialist urology doctor Ms Sarah Hart led on planning the specification of the new facility.
Ms Hart said: “The design of the department has been developed with the aim of providing the best experience that we can for patients from north Lancashire and south Cumbria.
“A big part of that is having a dedicated space where the whole team can work together cohesively to ensure that the care we offer is delivered as efficiently as possible.
“Many of our patients come to us with conditions that can be distressing and have a negative impact on their quality of life. It’s really important to us to offer a positive patient experience to alleviate some of the stress and worry that comes with being unwell.”
UHMBT Chief Executive Aaron Cummins said: “The development of the new urology unit is an important next step in the service’s improvement journey and we look forward to seeing it open.
“It is not just urology patients who will benefit from this important new investment. Some urology procedures such as prostate biopsies, currently performed in operating theatres at the RLI, will transfer to the new urology department, meaning that valuable operating theatre time can be allocated to other specialisms.
“This project is another fantastic example of collaboration across the trust, bringing together a variety of teams including estates, IT and of course our clinical team to improve the service we offer to our patients.”
E-bike shop moves from Lancaster to new Carnforth showroom
Lancaster workshop to tackle the issue of drink and needle spiking
Morecambe raw feeds shop up for three 'Animal Star' awards
Two new festivals proposed for Morecambe entertainment venue the Platform
Second day of disruption as work continues after train derails in Cumbria
Morecambe lifeboat crew’s swift response rescues swimmer ‘being swept dangerously out to sea’
'Street Meets' announced to answer your questions amid new wheelie bin roll-out
Campaign group welcomes new "life changing" bus service to Morecambe
Lancaster prison worker jailed for drug offences
Major disruption as train derails on West Coast Main Line
Talks begin for events to mark Eric Morecambe's 100th birthday
Lancaster music venue due to shut will now stay open "well into 2026"
Halloween What's On Guide
LISTEN: Launch of new group in Morecambe to help with gambling addiction
LISTEN: New centre for people with disabilities to open in historic Lancaster location
Mayor of Lancaster launches children's Christmas card competition
Councillor loses her seat for not attending meetings for six months
Firefighters attend two call-outs for vehicle fires in Lancaster area
Lancaster youth charity announces new CEO
LISTEN: Lancaster singer-songwriter tells how music saved her life
