Urology Services
The Freeman Hospital urology unit offers all forms of urology care under one roof.
We have three wards for the care of urology patients, where nursing and ancillary staff are trained in the care of urological conditions. We have four full-time urology theatres offering a range of procedures with urology-trained theatre nurses who are experienced in the use of urology surgical equipment. The unit is led by 16 consultants who between them are experienced in all areas of urology and are at the forefront of providing world-class care.
Our highly skilled urologists offer a full range of specialist services for the whole of the North of England including treatment for urological cancers and benign (non-cancerous) conditions. Due to our expertise in a number of specialised areas, we also treat patients from outside the region.
Regional centre
We’re a regional urology centre, recognised as having one of the top clinical research programmes in Europe. We use the most modern equipment including:
- the latest generation da Vinci surgical robot
- high-definition laparoscopic equipment
- the highest quality cystoscopic equipment
- a number of lasers to offer the best and most minimally invasive procedures possible
We are continually developing the use of new techniques to treat urological conditions with minimal damage to healthy tissue (minimally invasive treatments). In laparoscopic (keyhole) procedures, surgeons operate through tiny incisions, so that you have a shorter hospital stay, less stress and can enjoy a more rapid recovery. We are recognised as a leading department for laparoscopy and have trained other surgeons both from the UK and from around the world.
Specialist and innovative care
The Freeman Hospital is the only hospital in the North of England to offer the innovative and increasingly popular 'robotic assisted prostatectomy', using the Da Vinci robot platform. This treats cancer of the prostate without the need for traditional surgery, reducing the risk of bleeding, and the risk of erectile difficulties and continence problems.
Our clinicians are recognised nationally as experts in the treatment of bladder, kidney, prostate and testicular cancer. We are the only provider in the North East of England of brachytherapy (radioactive seed implant) for the treatment of selected patients with prostate cancer.
We also perform outpatient-based radiofrequency heat treatment under local anaesthetic, for selected small kidney tumours.
Centre for specialist treatment
We are the regional centre for the treatment of complex urethral disease offering a number of different procedures for the reconstruction of the urethra (water pipe).
We have specialists in urological reconstruction surgery and after care: this is surgery to improve the function of the urinary tract to protect kidney function, and to treat symptoms including incontinence.
We are the only hospital in the North of England offering 'neuro-modulation' for a range of functional bladder disorders, such as bladder overactivity. In these procedures a small device is implanted under the skin that helps to modulate the signals from the bladder to the brain and allows many patients to regain confidence in controlling their bladder without the need for other medication.
Patients with small kidney stones come to our specialist Lithotripsy Unit from all across the North East.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence is common, and we offer medical and surgical options to treat this distressing problem. Treatment may be in the form of tablets, but if all options are exhausted, then you may be offered penile implant surgery. We also offer treatment for men who develop curvature of the penis, often caused by Peyronies disease.
Committed to care with a personal touch
We are committed to improving your experience while in our care, so to reduce the time you need to spend in hospital, we've opened a 'day of surgery arrival ward'.
Many of our procedures don't need an overnight stay. We are developing community-based services and have set up a unique specialist service for patients with bladder cancer to help them to look after their medication needs at home.
We are the on-call urology service for the Newcastle area and up to the Scottish border. We also cover our neighbouring District General Hospitals for specialist urology care. Care of emergency urology patients is led by an on-call urology consultant who is trained to care for acute urology problems. We also offer a rapid access clinic for non-urgent problems that need to be seen swiftly - you can access this service via your GP. Patients requiring urgent surgery are treated in a dedicated emergency theatre allowing for swift surgery when necessary.
