Health Minister announces improvements to urology services

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, today announced the implementation of the recommendations of a review of adult urology services in Northern Ireland.

The main recommendations of the review, which follow a 12 week public consultation exercise launched by the Minister last September, aim to improve capacity for the delivery of urology services and include proposals for:

• An increase in consultant urologists from 17 to 23;
• All radical pelvic surgery to be carried out in Belfast City Hospital;
• At least five clinical nurse specialists should be employed;
• An increase in the proportion of planned surgeries undertaken as day cases; and
• Reconfiguring the service into a three team model, covering northern, southern and eastern areas respectively.

Trusts are already fully engaged in planning the implementation of these recommendations and it is hoped that many of the proposals will be in place by late summer.

Speaking today the Minister said: “Six thousand new people every year use urology services and demand continues to increase, due to an aging population, increased patient expectations, men’s health initiatives and availability of better assessment and diagnosis.

"These recommendations will, I believe, ensure that capacity will meet future demands and I endorse their implementation. I particularly welcome that these recommendations have the support of the clinical leadership of the Trusts involved.”

Notes to editors:

1. The speciality of urology predominately covers the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of urogenital conditions involving diseases of the kidney, bladder, prostate, penis, testis and scrotum.
2. The Regional Review of Urology Services was completed in March 2009.
3. A 12 week public consultation of the Review was conducted by the Regional Health and Social Care Board.
4. Around 40% of urology work is cancer related.
5. The consultation can be accessed on the Health and Social Care website
6. Media queries to DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0571 or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.