Every three to five years, NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB review its clinical policies to ensure they reflect the latest evidence-based guidance and best practice. We are currently reviewing the following policies and would welcome your views on the proposed changes.
Please share your feedback by completing the short questionnaire.
This is a surgery to treat an enlarged prostate, which can cause urinary problems in men.
The new policy allows surgery for all lower urinary tract symptoms, not just voiding symptoms. The new policy increases the indications for surgery. As per the European Association of Urology and other guidance.
The proposed new wording is as follows:
1. Surgical intervention for bladder outflow obstruction resulting from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is commissioned when the patient has any one of the following:
a. Continuing lower urinary tract symptoms despite non-surgical treatment
b. Recurrent or refractory urinary retention
c. Recurrent UTIs
d. Bladder stones
e. Bladder diverticula associated with complications
f. Treatment-resistant haematuria due to BPH
g. Dilatation of the upper urinary tract due to prostatic obstruction, with or without renal insufficiency.
2. The man must be fully counselled regarding alternatives to surgery, and the physical, emotional, psychological and sexual outcomes from surgery. Careful consideration should be given to the choice of surgical technique, which should be determined by the clinical presentation, local availability and patient preference.
The following are excluded and are not restricted by the policy:
· Surgery for other prostate pathology, including suspected or confirmed malignancy.
Please note this survey closes at midnight on Friday 26 December 2025.