In a remarkable stride towards alleviating the protracted NHS waiting lists, a hospital has achieved a breakthrough in the number of prostate procedures conducted. The Frimley Health Foundation Trust in Surrey has set a new record for NHS England by treating 12 men suffering from enlarged prostates in a single day.

Enlarged prostate, medically referred to as benign prostatic hyperplasia, is a prevalent non-cancerous condition that predominantly impacts older men. This ailment often leads to urination difficulties, which can severely disrupt sleep patterns. Traditionally, patients face long waiting periods before receiving treatment.

The innovative approach employed by the hospital involves Aquablation therapy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure. This advanced method utilizes a robotically guided jet of water to meticulously remove surplus prostate tissue, effectively relieving pressure on the bladder.

On October 18, the hospital successfully administered this cutting-edge treatment, and notably, 11 of the 12 men treated were able to return home the same day. This achievement not only marks a significant milestone for the NHS but also highlights the potential for modern medical techniques to enhance patient care and reduce hospital stays.

The minimally invasive surgical procedure uses a robotically controlled jet of water to remove excess prostate tissue and stop it pressing on the bladder.

Eleven of the men treated on October 18 were able to go home on the same day.

One of them, Nigel Howlett, 68, from Farnham, had been on the waiting list for 18 months.

He said: ‘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.

Surgeons at Frimley Health Foundation Trust in Surrey treated 12 men with enlarged prostates in one day using Aquablation therapy, a record for the NHS in England

Nigel Howlett, 68, from Farnham in Surrey, had been on the waiting list for 18 months

‘It might not be one of the most crucial procedures, but it has greatly affected my quality of life.

‘I’m hoping it will make quite a big difference to my symptoms.

‘This day was a very good idea to help patients like me who have waited too long.’

Neil Barber, consultant urological surgeon and clinical lead for urology at the trust, said: ‘We usually perform a maximum of three Aquablation procedures in one half-day operating list per week.

‘However, growing demand from both local patients and those referred from further afield is increasing the waiting list.

‘We wanted to utilise this technology to see what we could achieve to help patients waiting for treatment, and demonstrate that the efficiency of treatment of Aquablation can really impact the waiting list.

‘The day was a huge success.’

A third of men over 50 will have enlarged-prostate symptoms, rising to between 70 per cent and 80 per cent of those over 75.

Consultant Neil Barber with Aquablation machine, which enables a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove excess prostate tissue and stop it pressing on the bladder

Last year, the King, 76, revealed that he had been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate.

Most men with symptoms will not require an operation, with lifestyle changes such as drinking less alcohol or fizzy drinks, bladder training and eating more fibre recommended to start with.

Diuretics and alpha blockers, which relax the muscle in the gland making it easier to urinate, can help, or urinary catheters if a patient cannot urinate. 

The most common surgery is transurethral resection, in which a section of the prostate is removed.

The Daily Mail is campaigning to end needless prostate cancer deaths and for a national screening programme. 

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with 63,000 diagnoses and 12,000 deaths yearly in the UK.