Choosing a urologist is one of the most important healthcare decisions you will make — particularly if you are facing a cancer diagnosis, a major surgical decision, or a complex urological condition. In London, you have genuine choice between NHS, private hospital groups and individual consultant practices. This article explains exactly what to look for so you can make a confident, informed decision.
1. Check they are on the GMC Specialist Register for Urology
Any urologist seeing patients in the UK must be registered with the General Medical Council (GMC). But registration alone is not enough — you should specifically check that they appear on the Specialist Register under Urology. This means they have completed formal specialty training and been assessed as competent to practice as a consultant urologist. You can check any doctor’s GMC registration and specialist status at gmcuk.org — it takes under a minute and is publicly available.
2. Look for FRCS (Urol) after their name
FRCS (Urol) — Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons with a specialty in Urology — is the gold standard surgical qualification for urologists in the UK. It is awarded only after passing a rigorous two-part examination following specialist training. A urologist with FRCS (Urol) has been independently assessed on both their knowledge and their operative skills. Not all urologists hold this qualification — those trained overseas or working in non-surgical roles may not. If you are considering surgery, FRCS (Urol) matters.
The FRCS (Urol) examination is administered by the Joint Committee on Intercollegiate Examinations (JCIE) and is recognised as the benchmark surgical credential for urological surgeons in the UK and internationally. It cannot be purchased or awarded without examination.
3. Ask about surgical volume — specifically for your procedure
For common urological procedures, experience matters significantly. Surgical outcomes improve with volume — a surgeon who performs 50 robotic prostatectomies per year will, on average, achieve better results than one who performs 10. Ask directly: how many of this specific procedure do you perform each year? Surgeons who cannot answer this question — or who deflect it — should give you pause. You can also look up any UK consultant’s operative volume on the BAUS (British Association of Urological Surgeons) audit at baus.org.uk.
4. Verify their hospital affiliations
The hospital where your procedure is performed matters as much as the surgeon. For complex surgery, look for a hospital with a dedicated robotic surgery programme, a 24-hour urology team on call, and experience managing urological complications. In London, private hospitals with strong urology programmes include the Wellington Hospital (St John’s Wood), University College Hospital (NHS) and the Royal Marsden. A urologist who operates only at a single small private clinic for all procedures — including major cancer surgery — warrants further scrutiny.
5. Check for BAUS membership and MDT involvement
BAUS (British Association of Urological Surgeons) is the professional body for UK urologists. Membership indicates ongoing engagement with training, research and professional standards. For cancer cases specifically, ask whether the urologist presents cases at a formal multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting — a weekly meeting of urologists, oncologists, radiologists and pathologists who review diagnoses and treatment plans together. NICE guidance requires MDT review for all urological cancers on the NHS; in private practice, MDT access should be confirmed explicitly.
6. Understand what “consultant” means — and what it doesn’t
In UK private medicine, the term “consultant” is used broadly. A true NHS consultant has passed specialist training, holds a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), and appears on the GMC Specialist Register. Some private practitioners use the title “consultant” without these qualifications. Always verify via the GMC register. Additionally, be aware that some private hospitals employ “associate specialists” or staff grade doctors who may see initial consultations but are not consultants — confirm who will be seeing you and who will be operating.
7. Ask about their personal outcomes — not published trial results
Published clinical trial data tells you what is achievable in ideal conditions. What matters for your outcome is your surgeon’s personal data. Ask for their specific continence rates after prostatectomy, their positive surgical margin rates, their major complication rates. A urologist who cannot provide their own outcomes data — or who quotes only published literature — should prompt the question: why don’t they track or share their own results? The best surgeons know their numbers.
8. Assess how they communicate
A good urologist takes time to explain your diagnosis, the evidence base for their recommendation, and the alternatives. They should welcome questions, not dismiss them. If you leave a consultation feeling more confused than when you arrived, or feeling that a decision was made for you rather than with you, trust that instinct. In a city with genuine choice of specialist, you are entitled to a second opinion — and a confident, competent surgeon will actively encourage it rather than discourage it.
9. What to watch out for — red flags
- Guaranteed outcomes — no ethical surgeon guarantees a specific result
- Pressure to decide immediately — complex urological decisions rarely require same-day commitment
- Reluctance to share personal outcome data
- No affiliation with a recognised London hospital for surgical cases
- Unable to confirm MDT involvement for cancer diagnoses
- Claims of being “the best” or “number one” without verifiable supporting data
- No GMC Specialist Register entry for Urology
10. Use the BAUS Find a Surgeon tool
BAUS publishes a publicly accessible directory of UK urologists at baus.org.uk/patients/find-a-surgeon. You can filter by subspecialty (e.g. prostate cancer, robotic surgery, stone disease), region and hospital. Each entry shows the surgeon’s training, subspecialty interests and in some cases operative volume data from the national audit. It is one of the most useful and underused tools available to patients choosing a specialist in urology.
Frequently asked questions
No. You can book a private urology consultation directly without a GP referral. If your insurer requires a referral letter for reimbursement, check your policy before booking — but clinically, a referral is not necessary. Many patients book directly when they want a faster appointment or a specialist second opinion.
A uro-oncologist is a urologist who has subspecialised in urological cancers (prostate, kidney, bladder, testicular). Not all urologists have this subspecialty focus. If you have been diagnosed with a urological cancer, it is worth specifically seeking a consultant with a cancer subspecialty interest — not just a general urologist.
Book directly with a second consultant, bringing copies of your imaging (on CD or digitally), your biopsy report, all previous clinic letters and your PSA history. A good second-opinion consultant will review all of this before your appointment and provide a written independent assessment. You do not need your original surgeon’s permission to seek a second opinion.
For complex or high-risk procedures, a surgeon who holds an NHS consultant post at a major teaching hospital — and also sees private patients — typically offers the best of both worlds: high-volume NHS training, access to MDT infrastructure, and the personal attention of private practice. A surgeon who works exclusively in the private sector without an NHS consultant post may have less exposure to complex cases.
For radical prostatectomy, robotic surgery (da Vinci) is now the standard of care at high-volume centres, associated with faster recovery, less blood loss and better preservation of continence and potency. For other procedures (kidney surgery, cystectomy), robotic surgery offers similar benefits. If your condition may require surgery, choosing a surgeon who is experienced in robotic technique gives you more options — even if open surgery ultimately proves more appropriate for your case.
Book a consultation with Mr Torath Ameen FRCS
Mr Torath Ameen holds FRCS (Urol), is on the GMC Specialist Register, is a BAUS member and performs high-volume robotic surgery at the Wellington Hospital, London. He welcomes patients seeking an expert opinion or second opinion.
This article is intended for general patient education only. It does not constitute medical advice and may not apply to every individual’s circumstances. Clinical decisions should always be made in consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. If you are concerned about your health, please seek prompt medical assessment.