UROLOGY HOSPITAL: Precision Care Through Clinical Specialisation

Urology Hospital was born more than 20 years ago from vision held by a group of urologists of a specialist private healthcare facility, specifically designed to cater to the needs of patients with urological problems. Situated in Hatfield, Pretoria, the hospital is, today, a technology-driven centre of excellence, and remains the only dedicated urological hospital in South Africa.

“Our overarching purpose is to treat our patients with the utmost care, in the pursuit of enhanced quality of life as the leading provider of urology and related services in Africa,” sets out CEO Andre Meiring. All the hospital’s services are available under one roof, he adds, with the latest technology deployed and state-of-the-art facilities making all stays as pleasurable as possible. “Our specialists are affiliated with universities, to ensure continued research and the latest development in urologic medical care.

“Urology Hospital is taking a new direction, one that builds on the successes of the past and embraces the possibilities of the future, that will inspire us to become a force to be reckoned with in the medical fraternity and a first choice for people seeking urology and related treatments.”

TECHNOLOGICALLY DRIVEN

Healthcare businesses often face a difficult balancing act: improving the sophistication and quality of care while keeping its delivery affordable. Urology Hospital’s answer is specialisation. By concentrating its expertise, infrastructure and investment around a single field of medicine, the Pretoria hospital has built a model designed to deliver world-class care efficiently.

Rather than attempting to be everything to everyone, Urology Hospital has spent three decades concentrating expertise, infrastructure and investment around one very clearly defined specialism. Treating urological conditions alongside nephrology and urogynaecology, the hospital has built a reputation for excellence. Following major renovations, it has grown to 127 beds and eight theatres. 

“The advantages of a specialist hospital are far-reaching,” says Meiring. “Our staff are expertly trained in and concentrate solely on urology, as opposed to a broad spectrum of disciplines as found in a general hospital. We are a single discipline, urology-specific, acute hospital, servicing private healthcare within South Africa.

“We exist to provide exceptional patient-centred care and clinic excellence, specifically in urology and related disciplines.”

Long before medical robotics had even become a familiar feature of discussions about the future of surgery, Urology Hospital was investing in it, with the hospital introducing the da Vinci robotic surgical system to South Africa in 2013. “We were the first hospital to acquire robotic surgical systems within South Africa, and we did the first robotic prostatectomy in 2013.

“As pioneers in robotic urology in South Africa, we continue to lead through excellence, education and technology,” Meiring stresses. By 2015, Urology Hospital was already preparing to extend robotic techniques beyond prostate surgery into kidney procedures. Contemporary reports highlighted the potential advantages of the approach, including greater surgical precision, lower blood loss, less pain and considerably faster recovery for patients, with Urology Hospital one of only four hospitals equipped to perform robotic surgery in South Africa.

What followed was not a short-lived technology experiment but the development of a substantial area of expertise. In 2023, having completed 3,500 robotic procedures, the hospital acquired a second da Vinci system, and last year Urology Hospital became the first hospital on the African continent to celebrate the monumental 5000 robotic cases milestone. By the time that landmark had been reached, 32 robotic surgeons had been trained and a team of 15 specialised theatre staff supported the programme. 

“It underscores Urology Hospital’s commitment to precision treatment and offers patients the undeniable reassurance that they are in expert hands, while cementing our leadership in advanced prostate cancer care,” Meiring says. “On the clinical side we consistently ensure that we are on top of the latest surgical technology, and this is an ongoing commitment. We are abreast of the most clinically advanced, clinically appropriate developments.”

Robotics has consequently become more than another service in Urology Hospital’s portfolio; it is helping define the institution’s reputation, demonstrating to patients and referring doctors that highly advanced urological treatment is available in South Africa and backed by more than a decade of practical experience. 

The hospital has long been at the forefront of innovative surgical techniques, and this is one of Urology Hospital’s key differentiators: its dedication to ongoing research, medical education and training, alongside specialists who maintain association with the academic world to remain up to date with the latest developments in urology. “We have also implemented a robotic pharmacy picking system, and we avail of one of the few 3D laparoscopic surgical units in the country,” Meiring adds.

SINGLE DISCIPLINE

Automation and digitisation predate Meiring’s tenure as CEO but moving forward these are set to acquire even greater importance for the hospital. “We need to drive efficiency,” he stresses, “and there are always projects underway in our industry where digitisation is critical – electronic health records, and new patient administration systems which link digital records, are two with which we are very busy in the medium term.”

Efficiency also translates to the prevailing financial landscape, and ensuring that world-class and cost-conscious do not necessarily have to sit at opposite ends of healthcare.

“Affordability on the part of patients is a big problem in South Africa,” Meiring explains. “Economic constraints mean that we have to find new and creative ways to drive growth in the private healthcare sphere in which we operate, such as alternative reimbursement models by medical insurers. We are continuously driving efficiencies from both operating and clinical perspectives.” 

Another of Urology Hospital’s clearest points of separation, says Meiring, is also its simplest: it does one thing, and does it exceptionally well. Unlike a general hospital required to spread its attention and resources across numerous clinical disciplines, Urology Hospital is built entirely around urology, a singular focus which shapes everything. “Our focus on single discipline creates efficiencies within the clinical space which distinguish us from our competitors,” he states.

“Our competitors are hospitals which are multi-disciplinary, but whose services also encompass what we do. Being highly technology-driven, and making it easier for our surgeons to operate and be more efficient within urology, will continue to keep us above the rest in this field.” 

Specialisation allows Urology Hospital to be deliberate about where it invests, how it uses expensive equipment and how its clinical and operational systems are designed. For Meiring, that focus is central to the hospital’s ambition to deliver world-class healthcare through a cost-efficient model: expertise can be developed continuously, investment can be targeted more precisely and processes refined around the particular needs of urology patients. 

On his appointment in October 2024, Meiring – a qualified chartered accountant and an alumnus of the University of Pretoria – brought more than 17 years of proven expertise in healthcare management and financial acumen to the only hospital of its kind on the continent. Kobus Breed, Chairman of the Board, said: “His unique combination of skills and leadership qualities position him well to propel Urology Hospital to even greater heights.” 

“We are a small team, and fully independent – we have no ‘big brother’ and are up against big, multi-hospital groups. But that is not a weakness – if anything, it makes us more agile, and able to adapt much more quickly and effectively to market changes,” Meiring closes. “I am proud to be part of this industry, which truly makes a measurable difference to people’s lives, daily.”