Southend Hospital is the first within the NHS and the south east to offer a new innovative prostate procedure, speeding up surgery times.

The Urolift is a 15-minute operation used to treat symptoms arising from non-cancerous prostate growth.

The procedure is minimally invasive, it speeds up surgery and recovery time and improves results for patients.

Many people are aware of prostate cancer, however, benign prostate growth is much more common than prostate cancer and can cause problems with passing urine.

Often sufferers have poor flow and urgency and must make frequent visits to the toilet during the day and night.

Peter Acher, consultant urologist, said: “The Urolift operation is a short-day case procedure which only takes 15 minutes to perform, meaning patients don’t have to stay in hospital overnight.

“There’s now no need for a catheter and minimal side effects and post-operative complications for patients.

“Previously they would have undergone a 60 to 90-minute invasive procedure, typically requiring an inpatient stay, a catheter for a period of time afterwards and resulting in potential loss of ejaculation.”

The improved procedure helps to relieve the symptoms of having difficulty to pass urine without cutting or removing tissue, and it is already proving to be a success.

Mr Acher, added: “Our first three patients went home the same day with no complications and reported an immediate improvement in their health.”

The procedure lifts or holds the enlarged prostate tissue out of the way so it no longer blocks the urethra, using a permanent implant.

There is no cutting, heating or removal of prostate tissue.

The Urolift system is suited to someone doesn’t wish to take medication every day or who is not comfortable undergoing major surgery.