Prostate treatment tackled in record day

A HOSPITAL has performed a record number of pioneering prostate procedures in one day to help curb NHS waiting lists.

- By ELLA PICKOVER

The majority of men given the robot-assisted water jet technique for enlarged prostates at Frimley Health NHS Foundation trust were able to go home hours later.

Enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, is a common noncancerous condition in older men. It can lead to problems with urinating, which in turn can cause trouble with sleep. Patients can wait for months for care.

Frimley said it treated 12 men with enlarged prostates in a day using Aquablation therapy, a record for the NHS in England. Eleven of the men were able to go home on the same day.

Nigel Howlett, 68, from Farnham, received the treatment on the record-breaking day on October 18. He had been suffering from symptoms of enlarged prostate and was on the waiting list for treatment for 18 months.

"I've lived with this for a long time, including a significant lack of sleep and then not drinking enough liquids to try and prevent the need to urinate," Mr Howlett said.

"It might not be one of the most crucial procedures for the NHS but it has greatly affected my quality of life."