Work under way to build Urology Investigations Unit at University Hospital

A new Urology Investigations Unit (UIU) will provide faster diagnoses, reduced waiting times and increase the range of treatments offered by University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust.

Construction on the UIU has started within main Outpatients at University Hospital, Coventry, and is expected to take three months to complete.

Designed to enhance diagnostic efficiency and improve patient flow, the UIU will bring together outpatient consultations, diagnostic procedures and therapeutic interventions to offer high-quality care.

Small procedures such as Rezum and Optilume, both new services for UHCW, will be offered. These are minimally invasive and enable patients to be treated in a clinic environment rather than a theatre.

The service will also offer acute access to Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL), a non-invasive day-case procedure that uses targeted shockwaves to break kidney stones or stones into tiny fragments, allowing them to pass naturally out of the body.

Professor Andy Hardy, Chief Executive Officer at UHCW NHS Trust, said: “The UIU programme demonstrates the Trust’s commitment to improving access and outcomes for patients in line with Get It Right First Time (GIRFT) best practice.

“This will not only support immediate operational pressures, but set us up for the long term with the possibility of being positioned as a regional centre of excellence.

“A huge amount of planning has gone into getting us this far, so I am delighted to see building work now under way.”

The design was developed using our UHCWi Improvement methodology, with support from clinical staff, and allows the flexibility for rooms to be used for a variety of activities.

Urology clinics have temporarily moved to the Hospital of St Cross while building work is taking place. A number of other specialist clinics previously in part of Clinic Four have moved to new locations, with all effected patients informed.

Consultant Surgeon and Clinical Lead for Urology Mr Donald MacDonald added: “The UIU will give patients access to state-of-the-art non-invasive treatment.

“We thank people for their patience and co-operation and look forward to delivering a modern, efficient service that meets the needs of our patients and staff.”