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New urology investigations unit opens in Paignton

Images (clockwise from top left): members of the urology team and Torbay Prostate Support Association in the new unit; the urology team pictured cutting the cake for the opening; plaque which says 'Urology Investigations Unit opened on 02 February 2024 by Sir Richard Ibbotson KBE CB DSC DL'; Joanne Harrop and Sir Richard Ibbotson cut the ribbon.

Published: 7 February 2024

A new urology investigations unit has officially opened at Paignton health and wellbeing centre.

The urology investigations unit was opened by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust chair Sir Richard Ibbotson on Friday 02 February 2024. The new unit serves the whole population of Torbay and South Devon.

Joanne Harrop, urology nurses outpatient manager and team lead, said: “The new urology investigations unit has given us the opportunity to expand and start new services, such as our trans perineal prostate biopsy service which is fantastic news for patients. We are now able to provide a one stop service for patients which gives them a much better experience.

“Our team has also grown since we have moved to our new unit and again, that will help us reduce waiting times for people. By seeing people more quickly we can give early diagnosis or reassurance, giving, where needed, earlier treatment, better outcomes and improved survival rates and quality of life for people.”

Sir Richard Ibbotson, chair, added: “This new unit is a big step forward for us. We have never had a dedicated urology investigations unit in Torbay and South Devon before and thanks to everyone’s hard work in making this happen we now have everyone in the urology team all working together on the same site.

“We are delighted that representatives from Torbay Prostate Support Association who work closely with our urology service and who, over the years, have made significant donations of equipment, were able to join us for the official opening and to see the latest equipment they have funded in situ. We were also very pleased to be joined by representatives of Paignton League of Friends, their warm welcome to this new service based in the building has been very much appreciated.”

The opening marks another significant milestone in Torbay and South Devon’s Building a Brighter Future programme to improve people’s experiences and outcomes of care following the opening of a £2.8 million radiotherapy planning CT suite in October, a £4.99million endoscopy training centre in November and a £15 million acute medical unit in December 2022. A new £15million investment in two new theatres at Torbay Hospital will open this month which will significantly increase capacity, with more than 3,000 more people able to benefit from day surgery and eye surgery.