"Renal Colic (Kidney Stones); urgent treatment and after care"

This story is not about a dramatic emergency, but about sustained professional treatment and after care. In August, I suffered a renal colic attack (severe abdominal pain) and, via my GP, was referred to the Royal Gwent hospital Urology Unit. Following a consultant's appointment in mid-August, I underwent Lithotripsy (ultrasound) treatment, as an outpatient, in early September to break up two moderate kidney stones that had "stuck". This treatment, over 2 days, was successful. However two further small stones were identified via x-ray. A post-treatment debriefing was provided at the end of September, and further diagnostic work was discussed and agreed to consider dealing with the small stones as a preventative measure, and to investigate the possible reasons (diet etc. ) for the stones' formation. Further appointments followed and the case continues with tests being conducted. Throughout this period of time, the medical service has been excellent in terms of administration, communication, courtesy, promptness, and efficiency by all the staff with whom I have come into contact.

Appointment waiting times were not considered to be excessive in the circumstances.

The only difficulty experienced was car parking, as I live about 17 miles from the hospital. More or less forced to use very restricted local side street parking, as the hospital on-site parking is almost non-existent, with potentially substantial delays if attempting to queue.