Patients with suspected prostate cancer are being seen and diagnosed faster thanks to a new nurse‑led biopsy service within the urology service at the University Hospital of North Tees.
Specialist urology nurses are now performing trans-perineal (TP) prostate biopsies, a more effective way of diagnosing prostate cancer. The development has helped to streamline the patient healthcare pathway, reduce waiting times and improve the overall experience for patients.
In the past, the diagnostic procedure was carried out within radiology by consultants. However, since late 2025 following two years of planning, development and specialist training, three of the hospital’s urology nurses can now perform TP biopsies – making it one of the first to do so from within the urology service.
Urology nurses Joanne Forsyth, Terri Cartwright and Caron Evans undertook training in Liverpool, and each has had to complete 50 supervised biopsies before being signed off to carry out the procedures independently. The service now runs three biopsy sessions a week, performing around 15 procedures, increasing capacity and reducing the waiting list for patients.
Katie Miller, urology specialist nurse manager, said: “This is a really positive change for patients.
“The trans-perineal biopsy delivered as a nurse‑led service means people are being seen more quickly and getting answers sooner.
“It gives us far more control over the patients’ pathway and allows them to move through to diagnosis and treatment at a faster pace, which is our main aim.
“We have a fourth nurse beginning her TP biopsy training this month and there are plans to expand this service further to be able to provide this service for even more patients within our catchment area.”
Urology nurses in the service have also been performing nurse-led bladder procedures. For more than a year, two specialist nurses have been carrying out bladder biopsies under local anaesthetic during a monthly clinic. Patients are seen, biopsied and discharged home within half an hour, avoiding the need for a general anaesthetic and lengthy theatre waiting lists.
Joanne Forsyth, one of the urology nurse specialists now performing the TP biopsy procedure, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be part of this nurse‑led service. It means we get to be even more hands‑on when caring for our patients.
“The training has also been massively rewarding, advancing our careers, but also making a big difference in the overall knowledge our team has.
“It’s great to see the difference it’s already making for our patients.”