New unit expected to help treat patients faster
SaTHA new unit at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital will provide improved facilities, increase capacity and help staff diagnose and treat patients faster, the NHS has said.
The urology investigation unit is currently being built in clinic 12 at the hospital, and expected to be opened to patients from April.
It will include three new treatment rooms, which will be dedicated to urology investigations and treatments, including prostate biopsies and bladder examinations.
Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) said the investment in the unit followed reductions in waiting times for planned care, with funding awarded from NHS England's elective care capital incentive scheme.
As well as the procedure rooms, seven clinic rooms are also being fully refurbished to provide a more comfortable and efficient setting for both patients and staff.
The site will introduce a new procedure - Trans Urethral Laser Ablation (TULA), a minimally invasive procedure used to remove abnormal tissue, which avoids the use of general anaesthesia.
"We are very pleased to be opening this new Urology Investigation Unit in the coming weeks," said Praveen Pillai, clinical lead for urology.
"It represents a significant step forward for our service and for the patients we care for.
"Bringing our diagnostic and treatment facilities together in one purpose-built area will enhance patient experience while supporting more efficient and timely care."
Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.