A Morcellator that will enable the Lister to provide more efficient treatment for males with enlarged prostates has been purchased by the East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity. This new equipment will allow the Lister to provide enhanced care to over 100 men each year.

The Morcellator, a thin telescope-like instrument used to remove excess prostate tissue after it has been disconnected using a high powered laser, will enable the Lister to introduce a treatment called Holmium Laser Enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP). This treatment is not standard issue in NHS hospitals and will allow patients to be seen more effectively and more comfortably.

The purchase of the equipment was made possible thanks to generous donations from The Hospital Saturday Fund, The Friends of Lister Hospital, The Schroder Charitable Trust, the RALPH Skydivers and an individual donor.

Speaking at the launch, Ben Pullar, Consultant urologist, said:

“Thanks to the generous charitable donations, we have been able to purchase this equipment which will transform the way we deliver benign prostate surgery here at the Lister.

“Thanks to this new service, 80% of patients will now be discharged on the same day whereas traditional treatments require a 2-3 day stay in hospital. There are also vast improvements in symptoms and the patient experience and comfort is improved.”