Urology services in Aberdeen

Your urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. These organs work together to remove waste from your body and regulate fluid balance. Urology also covers male reproductive health, including the prostate and testicles.

A urologist is trained to assess a wide range of symptoms, from common conditions such as infections or urinary changes to more complex issues affecting kidney function or prostate health.

Urology often works alongside other specialties, ensuring your care is comprehensive when needed.

What is a urology specialist?

A urology specialist, called a urologist, is a doctor who has completed advanced training in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the urinary system and male reproductive health.

After general medical training, urologists undertake specialist clinical and surgical training to develop expertise in this field. This allows them to carry out detailed assessments, recommend appropriate investigations and provide a range of treatment options.

When you see a specialist at Albyn Hospital, you benefit from this experience alongside access to modern diagnostic tools and a clear, professional approach to your care.

You can choose to fund your treatment through self-pay (paying for yourself) or use private health insurance. We work with most major providers, and our friendly advisory team can help guide you through using your cover.

Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a time period that suits you. We offer fixed-term monthly payment plans over one to five years with no deposit required. If you decide to pay over 10 months, you will pay interest-free. If you are paying for a longer period, you will pay 9.9% APR. 

Early evaluation can help identify underlying conditions affecting the urinary tract or male reproductive system and ensure timely, effective treatment.

Patients should consider booking a consultation if they notice:

• Frequent or urgent urination: Needing to pass urine more often than usual, including during the night, or feeling a sudden, strong urge to go.
• Pain or burning when passing urine: A common symptom of infection or irritation within the urinary tract.
• Blood in the urine: Even small amounts of blood should always be investigated to rule out underlying conditions.
• Difficulty emptying the bladder: A weak urine stream, straining, or the feeling that the bladder is not fully empty.
• Persistent pelvic or lower back pain: Ongoing discomfort that may be linked to the bladder, kidneys, or prostate.

Common conditions include:

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
• Kidney stones
• Bladder problems and changes in urination
• Difficulty passing urine or weak flow
• Blood in the urine

For men, urology also includes:

• Prostate enlargement (BPE)
• Prostatitis
• Prostate cancer
• Testicular conditions
• Erectile dysfunction

UTIs are particularly common, especially in women, and occur when bacteria enter your urinary tract. They can affect any part of your urinary system, including your kidneys, urethra, ureters, and bladder.

Benign prostate enlargement (BPE) is a condition where your prostate (the gland that surrounds the urethra in men) becomes enlarged. It is common in men over the age of 50, and although not usually harmful, it can cause problems with urination, such as increased urgency and difficulty passing urine.

An enlarged prostate can often be treated with lifestyle changes and medication. If your symptoms are severe, your consultant may recommend a surgical procedure called a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) to remove part of your prostate.

You may also be referred to see a urologist if you experience ongoing discomfort, unexplained symptoms or concerns about kidney function. Early assessment helps identify the cause and allows treatment to begin promptly. Our urology department is led by a team of experienced consultant urologists, supported by skilled nurses and healthcare professionals.

• Cystoscopy (flexible): A flexible cystoscopy is a quick, routine procedure which involves a thin tube with a light and camera at one end of it called a cystoscope. This is carried out in order to examine your bladder, and involves a cystoscope being inserted into your urethra (the tube that carries urine out of your body) upwards into your bladder. The images captured by the cystoscope are displayed on a monitor for your consultant to view whilst performing the procedure. A flexible cystoscopy is usually performed to aid diagnosis and treatment of bladder stones, frequent UTIs, and pelvic floor dysfunction. A flexible cystoscopy typically takes around 5 minutes
• Trans-urethral resection of the prostate (TURP): A trans-urethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a procedure which involves removing part of your prostate. You may consider TURP if you are suffering with an enlarged or swollen prostate, as it can help relieve the symptoms by reducing the pressure placed on your bladder and urethra
• Rigid cystoscopy (bladder scope): A rigid cystoscopy (bladder scope) is similar to a flexible cystoscopy, but it involves the insertion of a rigid cystoscope into your urethra and bladder. This allows your consultant to view and examine these areas closely and is usually performed under local or general anaesthetic. A rigid cystoscopy typically takes around 15-30 minutes
• Urodynamic study: a specialised diagnostic investigation used to assess how well the bladder and urethra store and release urine.
• Adult circumcision: Adult circumcision is a surgical procedure involving the removal of the foreskin from your penis. It can be performed for numerous reasons; religious, cultural, cosmetic, or medical and is typically performed in infancy or early childhood but it can also be performed on adults
• Vasectomy/reversal vasectomy

The consultant will take a detailed medical history and may carry out a gentle physical examination if required. Patients are encouraged to ask questions and be open about their symptoms - there is no need to feel embarrassed, as consultant urologists are highly experienced in assessing and managing intimate health concerns every day.

In some cases, further tests such as urine analysis, blood tests, or imaging may be recommended to support diagnosis and guide treatment options. If further tests are required, this might need to be scheduled arrange a few days after your initial consultation. Please note that the initial consultation and follow-up consultation fees are additional to any tests or procedures carried out.

The aim of the appointment is to provide clear advice, a personalised treatment plan, and reassurance.

Follow-up appointments are often shorter and focused on reviewing results or monitoring your progress. Throughout your care, you will have the opportunity to ask questions and fully understand your treatment plan.

• Expert assessment from an experienced consultant urologist. You will see the same same consultant throughout the entirety of their treatment journey.
• A multidisciplinary clinic. Your consultant is supported by a number of other healthcare professionals such as nurses and radiographers. This multidisciplinary team approach ensures you will receive support and treatment from the most appropriate specialist throughout your time with us.
• Our state-of-the-art imaging facilities include Xray, CT, MRI and ultrasound.  These diagnostic imaging procedures can all be easily arranged if required. Our Radiologists work closely with our consultants to provide an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible.
• Treatment plans tailored to meet your individual health needs.
• Fixed-price surgery packages