Consultant helping Isle women with bladder problems

Mr Mathew Thomas, a consultant urologist who specialises in female urology and stone disease, is now working across all three hospitals at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLaG).

Mr Thomas said female incontinence was a big part of his work and was something that women did not have to be embarrassed about. He said: “It is such a taboo subject with many women not wanting to talk about it. They are too embarrassed to seek medical help.”

However, he said women should not sit at home and pass urinary incontinence off as an age related issue as the majority of women can be successfully treated, or if not, their quality of life improved.

“If you have a problem speak to your GP or practice nurse. In the vast majority of cases we can treat people with tablets or simple exercises, it does not always result in surgery,” said Mr Thomas.

Talking about what attracted him to the specialism of female urology, Mr Thomas said: “Being able to help improve the quality of someone’s life is so rewarding. If they feel confident to go out more, not wear incontinence pads or not spend all of their time worrying where the nearest toilet is, it is worth it.”

His role sees him working closely with his colorectal and gynaecology colleagues in developing treatment plans for patients. They have also set up a pelvic floor multi-disciplinary team meeting which assesses suitable patients.

Mr Thomas qualified in medicine in India in 2000 and moved to Bangor in North Wales shortly afterwards to complete his basic surgical training. He then spent a year at a hospital in Middlesbrough as a senior house officer before undertaking his higher surgical training in Merseyside.

He spent six months working as a locum consultant based at Scunthorpe hospital before being appointed as a consultant working across Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Goole hospitals.

Talking about what attracted him to NLaG he said: “It was the job primarily as it was such a great opportunity. The team is very supportive, integrated and helpful and with it being a small unit everyone gets on really well.”

Mr Thomas, as well as specialising in female urology and stone diseases, also sees general urology patients as well. He joins fellow consultant urologists Mr Laurence Coombs, Mr Muzaffer Chaudhary, Mr Stuart Tindall and Mr Muhammed Laghari.