During your appointment, we’ll discuss your medical history, your family’s medical history, your current symptoms and any medication you’re taking. We may also do a physical examination.

Depending on your individual circumstances, we may recommend a course of treatment such as:

• a change to your medication
• some new medication
• hormone injections
• chemotherapy

You may also be referred for further tests and investigations such as:

• a biopsy
• a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
• a computerised tomography (CT) scan
• a bone scan
• a flexible cystoscopy

In some instances, you may be sent for tests and investigations before you see a consultant.

Once we’ve received your results, we’ll invite you back in for another appointment. During the appointment, we’ll explain your results and discuss your options in detail. Together, we’ll decide on the best option for you and create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Your treatment plan may mean we need to refer you to other departments e.g. oncology department. You may also be seen by one of our specialist nurses for practical help and advice, support and education about your condition.

The Urology Department provides the following services:

• Outpatient clinics – These clinics are held in Bolton One and at the Royal Bolton Hospital
• Operating lists (day case and inpatient procedures).
• Flexible cystoscopy
• One stop diagnostic clinic for Haematuria.
• Cystometry
• Urinary flow rate assessment clinics
• Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided prostatic biopsy
• Erectile dysfunction clinics
• Bladder instillation
• Catheter clinic – nurse-led clinic for patients who need their catheter changing or have problems with their catheter.
• Instruction in self-catheterisation – nurse-led clinic for patients who have to be shown how to insert a catheter themselves.
• One stop prostate assessment clinic – GPs can refer men who have problems urinating to this one-stop clinic. Patients will be seen by a specialist nurse and be requested to do a urinary flow rate assessment

Circumcision and vasectomy assessment clinic – GPs can refer patients for either of these two procedures to a dedicated nurse-led clinic

We can only accept referrals from your GP or from a hospital consultant. If you do have an urological problem you should visit your GP first, they can then decide whether a referral is necessary or appropriate.

We regret that self-instigated referrals, unsolicited referrals by e-mail and requests for opinions (by post or e-mail) will not be answered by the Department.

Once you have been referred by your GP, you will be able to schedule an outpatient appointment. We may arrange for you to undergo some tests in advance of your appointment to speed up the diagnostic process.

When you’re referred to our service you’ll generally see one of our consultants first.

Our team work across both hospital and Bolton One, so your appointment could be at either one of these locations.