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A new urology service has been launched in Stamford, offering closer-to-home treatment for many patients and helping to reduce time spent in hospital.

TULA (Transurethral Laser Ablation) is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure used to remove, destroy, or biopsy abnormal tissues and small, recurrent tumours within the bladder lining using a laser. 

Whilst a similar service is offered in a theatre setting at Peterborough City Hospital, patients can now be referred by their GP to the urology service at Stamford & Rutland Hospital - where they are triaged and invited to attend the new TULA clinic as an outpatient. 

The procedure is performed in the Day Treatment Unit under local anaesthetic and takes just between 30 and 60 minutes. 

It involves a thin flexible tube being inserted into the bladder, with the urologist passing a fine laser fibre through the scope to destroy the targeted tissue. If necessary, a small biopsy can be taken at the same time for laboratory analysis.

The patient is fully awake throughout and generally discharged shortly afterwards.

Rebecca Poulton, service manager - general surgery and urology - said: “The Trust is delighted to be able to offer TULA to patients at Stamford & Rutland Hospital in an outpatient setting through the urology service.

“We held the first successful clinic very recently, where the team saw six patients on the morning list. The hope is to increase the number of patients seen to 12 in a month as the clinic becomes more established.”

She added: “A major benefit of the service allows patients from the local area to receive fast and efficient treatment without the need to travel to Peterborough or an alternative hospital further afield.”