Work under way on hospital's new urology unit

Construction work has begun on a hospital's new urology centre.

Work on the urology investigation unit (UIU) at University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire began earlier this month and is expected to take three months, with urology appointments temporarily moved to alternate locations.

Professor Andy Hardy, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) CEO, said the centre should be up and running by April.

A UHCW spokesperson said the unit would provide faster diagnoses, reduced waiting times and an increase in the range of treatments available. It will serve all patients in the area, including those from Nuneaton's George Eliot Hospital.

Urology clinics have temporarily moved to the Hospital of St Cross in Rugby while building work is taking place.

Prof Hardy said the UIU programme demonstrated the trust's commitment to improving access and outcomes for patients in line with the Get It Right First Time (GIRFT) best practice.

"This will not only support immediate operational pressures, but set us up for the long term with the possibility of being positioned as a regional centre of excellence," he added.

Speaking while in the hot seat at BBC CWR on Thursday, Prof Hardy said an 85% target from GP cancer referral to treatment within 60 days was being hit in nearly all specialities, but head and neck and neurology were the main two challenged areas.

He added the trust had got on top of backlogs in breast cancer and gynaecology.

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