Light relief for patients

Tuesday 22 April 2014

Jersey’s new hospital consultant is using the latest laser technology to cut the number of patients having to go to the UK for treatment.

Ben Hughes will be using a new laser machine costing £38,500 to get rid of urinary tract stones - part of Health's drive to treat more patients on the Island.

Mr Hughes said: “I expect the new machine to have a significant impact on the numbers of patients needing to travel to the UK for treatment.

"Typically one might expect around 160 cases annually for a population the size of Jersey’s, around half of whom would require surgery – all but the most complex procedures can now be tackled on-Island.”

Mr Hughes took up the post as urology consultant earlier this year – a role that was previously shared between three consultants, each working two weeks in every six.

He said: “The aim is to offer a high quality contemporary diagnostic and general service, enabling the Hospital to bring down waiting times. We are working towards non-urgent cases being seen within two months and urgent cases within two weeks.”

Mr Hughes is a graduate of the University of Birmingham Medical School and has worked at a number of hospitals in the south-east of England.

He specialises in urinary tract stones but is also trained in diagnostic and general urological surgery as well as endoscopic surgery for diseases such as bladder cancer. Urologists diagnose and treat disorders of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, prostate and male productive organs.