Thursday, 29 September 2011
Thanks to the generosity of the Maelor Voluntary Service, the Urology Department at Wrexham Maelor Hospital has recently been presented with a state-of-the-art laser treatment system.
The new equipment has enabled the Department to introduce new treatment options that were not previously available in the Hospital. These include using the laser to break up kidney stones and stones found in the bladder and ureter (the tubes that connect the bladder to the kidneys), using the laser to remove tumours in cases of bladder cancer and for early treatment of kidney and ureter cancer, avoiding the need for more radical surgery.
These new techniques offer many benefits for patients. More patients can be treated locally and virtually all procedures can be carried out as day cases, saving patients from the need to stay in hospital overnight. There is less need for patients to have multiple treatments and to make repeated visits to hospital. And most importantly the quality of treatment is higher: patients suffer less discomfort after their procedure, have fewer complications and recover more quickly.The system also causes less bleeding than more traditional techniques, which is useful in the case of elderly patients who may be on blood-thinning medication and for patients, including Jehovah’s Witness patients, who do not wish to receive blood transfusions.
For the Health Board fewer complications, quicker recovery and shorter lengths of hospital stay mean the treatment is more efficient, all of which helps to reduce waiting times and address the pressures on budgets.
Mr Iqbal Shergill, Consultant Urologist, said:
“This is a very important development for the service in Wrexham. I want to say a big thank you to the Maelor Voluntary Service, and everyone who works for them, for raising the money to buy this laser system.
“By investing in this new technology we have made treatment safer, quicker and more comfortable and convenient for patients.
“Having the latest equipment also allows colleagues to develop their clinical skills and expertise, and will help us to continue to attract top-quality staff to work in the Department, all of which feeds back into better care for our patients.”
Vivienne Bland from the Maelor Voluntary Service said:
“MVS are delighted that the equipment purchased through their efforts will benefit local people to the extent described by Mr Shergill. We look forward to continuing to provide service, on a daily basis, in our cafes at the hospital in order to provide further valuable equipment in the future.”