A ONE-STOP prostate cancer assessment clinic is just one idea set to modernise urology services at York Hospital.

Urology services - which cover a variety of conditions that affect the bladder and the kidneys, including prostate cancer, cystitis, and kidney stones - are the focus of a modernisation pilot scheme launched at York Hospital.

Consultant urologist Graeme Urwin and Jim Easton, the new chief executive of York Hospital NHS trust, were joined at the launch by health professionals from across the Selby and York area.

Dr Urwin said: "York is one of 16 national sites selected to pilot different ways of working.

"There were initially 124 sites who bid for the funds available from the NHS Modernisation Agency - £64,000 now and a further £30,000 next year."

At the launch the urology team focused on improving referral, response and recuperation for urology patients and how the service could be improved to suit the needs of the patient, such as looking at what tests can be done before a patient is referred to a consultant and whether patients would prefer a follow-up by phone or other means.

As part of a national modernisation programme, York Hospitals NHS Trust, and the Selby and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) are engaged in improving urology services.

Dr Urwin said: "By linking with colleagues in primary care to look at training, and common areas of practice, we aim to cut down the number of re-admissions by treating patients at home.

"The one-stop clinic will allow prostate cancer patients to have investigations on the same day as their appointment with a consultant, reducing waiting time from referral to diagnosis and treatment."

Sue Brown, a leader in professional development with the Selby and York Primary Care Trust (PCT), said: "The PCT's health professionals welcome this opportunity to be part of the Action On Urology pilot programme working in partnership with our colleagues at York Hospitals NHS Trust to test and share new ideas, and to further develop existing services for the benefit of our patients."

This project incorporates the skills and experiences of healthcare professionals from the hospital trust, PCT and the strategic health authority.

Updated: 08:47 Thursday, September 11, 2003