The unit provides high quality care to a local population of approximately 530,000 people.  In addition, it is a tertiary centre to a wider population of 1.6 million across Lancashire and South Cumbria for certain complex surgical conditions such as:

Major pelvic oncology surgery (cystectomy and prostatectomy), including robotic procedures,

  • Complex stone disease
  • Uro-gynaecological disease.

The urological department is an established organised department with eight consultant urologists. Surgery is predominately undertaken in the Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital but some elective surgery is undertaken in Burnley General Teaching Hospital. Inpatient, day case and clinic based surgery is undertaken. Robust care pathways have been developed for the most common conditions. ‘State of the art’ surgery has been developed for renal stones (sonographic, percutaneous and shock wave lithotripsy) and urological cancers (endoscopic approach, Da Vinci robotic assisted surgery).

The Da Vinci system was first used in 2015 and the unit was the first in the North West to use this technique for complex urological conditions.  Most common paediatric urological conditions are investigated and treated in ELHT unless they are complex and require tertiary children’s hospital care.

There is a close working relationship between the oncology department and the radiological department. Nurse practitioner roles have been developed to support the unit. The outpatient and inpatient units are integrated in an innovative and effective way. 

Educationally, there have been strong links with Health Education North West in the development of specialist surgical training and to Lancaster University and the American University of the Caribbean Medical schools. Regional and national education events have been successfully organised.

Routinely performed procedures include:

  • Robot assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy
  • Robot assisted partial nephrectomy
  • Laparoscopic nephrectomy
  • Radical cystectomy
  • Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and mini-PCNL procedures.
  • Laser-tripsy
  • Extra corporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)
  • Intra-vesical Botox under local and general anaesthetic
  • Tension free vaginal tape (TVT)
  • Autologous fascial sling

Awards

The team have been awarded the Hospital Doctor, Urology Team of the Year, the Charter Mark status (on numerous occasions) and in 2016, a Quality, Innovation and Research Award

Divisional Director of Surgery                          

  • Mr S Islam

Clinical Director                                   

  • Mr I M Campbell

 

  • Mr I M Campbell - Laparoscopic renal surgery, robotic renal surgery, stone surgery and functional Urology (incontinence)
  • Mr M Pillai – pelvic cancer, robotic prostatectomy – associate clinical advisor to parliamentary ombudsman
  • Mr M Masaarane – Cystectomy, robotic prostatectomy
  • Mr S Srirangam – laser-tripsy, PCNL and research lead
  • Mr S Islam – Functional urology/uro-gynaecology
  • Mr D Neilson – laparoscopic upper tract, laser-tripsy, PCNL
  • Mr S Matenhelia – pelvic cancer, laparoscopic and robotic surgery
  • locum consultant

The unit has a dedicated research team and currently the department is involved in several national multicentre portfolio studies. Individual consultants have been awarded Medical Doctorates (MD) for their research theses

Access individual Consultant research in web sites below:

  • East Lancashire hospitals NHS Trust@ researchgate.com
  • Pubmed
  • Google scholar

Pubmed entries

Mr S Srirangam                                     27

Mr D Neilson                                         16

Mr S Islam                                              7

Mr S Matenhelia                                  7

Mr M Pillai                                             5

Mr IM Campbell                                   5

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