Urology services

The Andrology clinic is led by two Urology clinical Nurse specialists in the Paul Sykes Centre at St James’ Hospital. These specialist clinics aim to deliver a holistic assessment to those men who present with erectile dysfunction. If suitable, treatment will be initiated with regular follow up appointments arranged. There are a wide range of treatment options for erectile dysfunction which include the use of tablet medication (PDE5 Inhibitors), penile injections or topically applied penile creams. The Vacuum Erection Device (VED) can be considered for penile exercise regimes and is an option for erectile dysfunction treatment that does not have the commonly associated side effects as with medications.

These nurse led clinics run five days a week and time is allocated to give professional advice over the telephone to current patients. We see any male over the age of 18 years from a variety of different backgrounds and with varying comorbidities. We also refer on to the psychosexual counselling department at the Leeds General Infirmary for patients with a psychological nature of erectile dysfunction.

The Leeds Teaching Hospital is also one of the few trusts that offer the surgical option of penile implant surgery. Time is allocated in each clinic to allow a thorough assessment of the patient in an informal way which can alleviate the stress associated with the nature of discussing such a sensitive condition.

How to find us

• The Andrology clinics are mainly based in the Paul Sykes Centre, St James’ Hospital

Staff you are likely to meet

• The Andrology Consultants who we work alongside are Mr.Eardley, Mr Kayes and Mr Elmamoun who are highly regarded surgeons working within this speciality
• We also have two highly skilled Urological Nurse specialists who are Melissa Shireby and Sarah Maul

A Flexible Cystoscopy is a procedure that allows a Doctor or Nurse Cystsocopist to look inside the bladder using a thin fibre optic tube (cystoscope) that has a light and a tiny video camera at one end. This allows the specialist to see an image of the inside of your bladder on a screen. It is usually done as an outpatient procedure so you will be able to go home on the same day.

Flexible Cystoscopy can be performed by both Doctors and specially trained Nurses (Nurse Cystoscopists).The Flexible Cystoscopy service is run by a nurse led team and we aim to provide high quality, safe care. We provide a caring and supportive environment whilst undergoing Flexible Cystoscopy which maintains patient’s dignity at all times.

The team recognize people are individuals and have designed the service around previous patient feedback. Comments about your service experiences are appreciated. You can do this by contacting 0113 2066094.

As a new and developing service currently the nursing team deliver the Haematuria clinic and bladder cancer surveillance Cystoscopy clinic. There are also a number of Cystoscopy clinics which are provided by the Urological Consultants and Registrars.

How to find us
The Flexible Cystoscopy service is provided in David Beevers Day Unit at St James Hospital

Staff you are likely to meet
The service is run by two highly skilled nurse specialists, Rachel Baker-Green and Zoe Gardham

Useful links

Flexible Cytoscopy leaflet
Haematuria leaflet

Lithotripsy or ESWL is a minimally invasive technique that treats stones which have developed in the kidney and ureter (the tube that takes the urine from the kidney to the bladder), without the need for general anaesthetic and surgery.

Using either x-ray or an ultrasound scan to localise the stone, high energy shock waves are passed through the body to break the stones into tiny pieces which will pass through the body when you urinate.

This minimally invasive treatment means you can come into the unit, have your treatment and return home the same day, to enjoy a rapid recovery.

Whilst the majority of small kidney stones can be treated using lithotripsy, large stones may not suitable for this type of treatment and will require removal using other methods such as an operating telescope.

How to find us
The Lithotripsy Clinic is based in the David Beevers Day Unit at St James’ University Hospital.

Contact: 0113 2066995
Catherine Owen, Lithotripsy Sister

Staff you are likely to meet

• The clinical team in the Lithotripsy Unit include experienced specialist Cathy Sharp (Ultra Sonographer) and Nursing Sister Catherine Owen.
• The Consultant Urologists who specialise in Lithotripsy are Mr M Kimuli, Mr C S Biyani, Mr J Cartledge and Mr V Palit.

Please note that although your appointment is with a named consultant you may be seen by a member of their team.

Useful links
NHS Choices – Kidney Stones

The Uro-Oncology nursing team is made up of highly skilled Urology and Specialist Nurses that care for and support patients with renal cancers. Patients are seen in clinics based in the Paul Sykes Centre at St James’s Hospital and are also followed up within the telephone and nurse led service.

The Nurses specialise in the management of renal cancer from diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

The clinics run throughout the week and deals with a wide range of treatment options which include laparoscopic surgery, radical surgery to remove the cancer, ablation therapy and surveillance. Information and advice is provided at these consultations.

The Specialist Nurses are available for highly complex care needs that require specialist assessment and care planning, or indirectly, by supporting and guiding others to provide care and support.

We continue to keep the patient at the heart of what we do and uphold our core values of the Leeds Way by remaining to be Patient Centred, Fair, Accountable, Collaborative, and Empowered.

How to find us
We are based in the Paul Sykes Centre, St James’ Hospital.

What is robotic surgery?
Robotic surgery, also referred to as robotically-assisted surgery, is a form of minimally invasive surgery (key-hole surgery). The most widely used robotic equipment is the da Vinci Surgical System.

Da Vinci Intuitive Surgical HD on Youtube

The da Vinci Surgical System
The da Vinci Surgical System consists of several key components, including: an ergonomically designed console where the surgeon sits while operating, a patient-side cart where the patient lays during surgery, four interactive robotic arms, a high-definition 3D vision system, and proprietary EndoWrist® instruments.

Surgeon Console
The surgeon operates seated comfortably at a console while viewing a high definition, 3D image inside the patient’s body. The surgeon’s fingers grasp the master controls below the display with hands and wrists naturally positioned relative to his or her eyes. The system seamlessly translates the surgeon’s hand, wrist and finger movements into precise, real-time movements of surgical instruments.

Patient-side cart
The patient-side cart is where the patient is positioned during surgery. It includes four robotic arms that carry out the surgeon’s commands.

Vision System
The vision system is equipped with a high-definition, 3D endoscope (flexible tube with a camera and light at the tip) and image processing equipment that provides true-to-life images of the patient’s anatomy. A view of the operating field is available to the entire team on a large viewing monitor (vision cart).

EndoWrist Instruments
A full range of EndoWrist instruments is available to the surgeon while operating. The instruments are designed with seven degrees of motion – a range of motion even greater than the human wrist. Each instrument has a specific surgical mission such as clamping, suturing and tissue manipulation. Quick-release levers speed instrument changes during surgery.

Potential benefits of Robotic Surgery

• Shorter hospital stay
• Less pain
• Reduced blood loss and need for blood transfusion
• Faster recover and return to normal activities