Developing a new one-stop urology diagnostics service

A newly built NHS 'one-stop' urology diagnostics unit has been created to provide a genuinely patient-centred experience for all new patients presenting with urological symptoms. Patients across the region now receive not only their initial specialist consultation, but also all diagnostic investigations and a treatment plan during a single visit to the unit. The purpose-built service has reduced the patient diagnostic pathway from several visits over many weeks to a matter of hours. The unit has facilities for urodynamic studies, ultrasound, flexible cystoscopy and trans-rectal ultrasound prostate biopsy in addition to full physiological measurement capabilities. Designing a new purpose-built unit in the current healthcare climate brought its own challenges as the project progressed. Having the right nursing team in place was essential, and this article describes the insights afforded in developing the project.