New urology unit at Coventry hospital offers faster diagnoses
Patients are promised to benefit from improved treatment options
A new Urology Investigations Unit (UIU) has opened at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, aiming to provide patients with faster diagnoses, shorter wait times, and an expanded range of treatment options.
The unit is located in the main Outpatients area at University Hospital, Coventry.
Kieran Merrick was one of the first patients to benefit, undergoing treatment for a kidney stone using the unit’s latest lithotripsy equipment. He explained, "This is the second time I’ve had kidney stones. I work in a warehouse and it can be hard to take regular breaks, so dehydration may have played a part."
Merrick’s treatment was notably more comfortable, as he received care on his back, making it easier to manage the pain. "Staff explained to me what was happening, now it’s a case of waiting to find out how successful it has been," Merrick said.
The newly opened unit aims to streamline the testing and treatment process, offering quicker and more accessible care through services like Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL). This treatment is available three days a week and helps patients recover faster without staying overnight.
Additionally, procedures such as Rezum and Optilume are now available at UHCW, allowing some treatments to be managed in a clinic setting rather than needing an operating theatre.
Professor Andy Hardy, Chief Executive Officer at UHCW NHS Trust, highlighted the importance of the UIU, stating, "The opening of the UIU shows our commitment to improving access, experience and outcomes for patients, in line with Get It Right First Time (GIRFT) best practice."
"The integration of investigations and treatments enhances efficiency and supports our ambition to become a regional centre of excellence for urology care," Hardy added.