Press release – December 10 2020

2020/033

A little bit of history was made at Hereford County Hospital when the Urology team became the first in Europe to use a new type of cystoscope.

A cystoscope is a thin tube with a camera and light on the end which is used to see inside patients’ bladders.

The new scope is disposable and portable, which means it can be used on wards to avoid any delays in diagnosis or treatment for patients.

“This means the scope is sterile and avoids any chance of cross contaminations,” added Mehmood Akhtar, Consultant Urologist at Wye Valley NHS Trust.

“Importantly, the new scope allows the immediate transfer of images which allows us to quickly analyse and share images – these all benefit patients with quicker diagnosis and treatment.”

The disposable cystocope was developed by Copenhagen-based company Ambu and the team at the Urology Diagnostic and Treatment Centre at Hereford County Hospital is the first in Europe to use the scope.

“We have a great team at the centre and these new scopes will help us further build on the highly regarded service we have developed over the years.

“The ease of use, flexibility and the possibility to take the scope to the patient rather than the patient having to be moved to the scope will have huge benefits.”

Pic caption:

Mehmood Akhtar, right, with members of his team and the new cystoscope in the Urology Diagnostic and Treatment Centre at Hereford County Hospital

Note to Editors WVT:

• Wye Valley NHS Trust is a provider of health services across Herefordshire and beyond. The Trust exists to improve the wellbeing, independence and health of the people we serve.
• By working closely with our partners, we can make good our promise to deliver a quality of care we would want for ourselves, our families and our friends.
• With an estimated annual turnover of around £185 million, we employ around 3,000 staff. We aim to build new relationships between our staff, patients, service users and their carers with the wider community.

For further information please contact:

Fiona Gurney, communications officer, or John Burnett, Communication and Engagement Manager, Wye Valley NHS Trust: 01432 372928