A reform of Broomfield Hospital's urology department is to be carried out to implement improvements following a major review of the service.

Mid-Essex Hospitals Trust announced this week that it was taking the measures to improve the urology service after receiving a report from an independent urologist who carried out the review, which was initiated by the Trust in response to concerns about the level of complications following complex bladder reconstruction surgery.

The report concluded that the consultant who carried out the operations, had maintained "an acceptable standard of clinical practice" in the cases that had been reviewed.

The reorganisation was announced as consultant Mr Henry Lewi returned to work at Broomfield Hospital this week after being on sick leave for more than a month.

While the reorganisation of the urology department is taking place patients needing complex urology operations for cancer are to be transferred to Ipswich or Cambridge for their surgery.

The number of mid Essex patients needing such operations is between 40 to 60 each year.

The report highlighted areas for improvement in the overall organisation of the urology service and the trust is now planning changes in the administrative system and staffing levels, including the appointment of a third consultant urologist.The moves have been welcomed by the health watchdog group Mid Essex Community Health Council.

Andrew Pike, chief executive of Mid Essex Hospitals Trust said: "The review was undertaken for the hospital to ensure clinical quality. We welcome the opportunity to effect departmental improvements."

Published Friday October 25, 2002

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