5/6/2003

Local News

Initiative will see end to long waits

Consultant urologist Brian Ellis performs an ultrasound on staff nurse Zulfikar Gohabar.

A trial project gives urologists the opportunity of using  ultrasound, removing the need for patients to wait for an ultrasound appointment and a second visit for the result.
Ultrasound is used for diagnosing many diseases, including cancers of the kidneys prostate, bladder and testes.
Until now doctors in the UK have not been automatically trained to use ultrasound — unlike the rest of Europe and the western world.
Over the next 18 months consultant urologists Brian Ellis and Tom McNicholas with St Peter’s and Ashford hospital radiologists Liz Bellamy and Alan Irvine will prepare a report for the Modernisation Agency, which exists to help NHS staff and partner organisations improve services.
At the end of the project a training manual will be produced with recommendations for nationwide training of all new urologists.
Mr Ellis said: “Not knowing what is wrong with you when you visit the hospital doctor and having to wait for an ultrasound is stressful for patients.
“This initiative aims to eliminate the waiting and stress, especially when cancer may be involved.
“There are benefits for doctors too. An improved relationship with the patient and better understanding of the underlying problems behind a condition.

First printed in: Byfleet News and Mail