INNOVATIONS have been made in the urology department of Northumbria Healthcare, leading to improved patient treatment.

On July 27, the first Northumbria Healthcare patients underwent the TULA (Transurethral Laser Ablation) procedure – a relatively new laser treatment for small tumours in bladder cancer patients.

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Andy Moon, the trust's clinical lead for urology, said: "For the patients, it is less risky and invasive, and they do not have to stop taking medications such as anti-coagulants.

"From our point of view, as well as providing a better experience for our patients, it frees up time in operating theatres and wards, which in turn supports our efforts to ensure nobody has to wait too long for treatment."

Earlier this year, the urology team introduced a new technique using steam to treat benign enlargement of the prostate.

The Rezum procedure is a minimally invasive treatment involving a special machine to ablate the enlarged part of the prostate.

Chris Hall, lead clinical nurse specialist for urology, said: "We are currently offering the Rezum procedure, which is another day case where previously patients would have spent a few days at the Freeman, while we also were the first in the region to introduce the trans-perineal biopsies, within an outpatient setting under local anaesthetic, following the lead of the team down at Guy's Hospital in London."