Urology Surgery in Ireland
Urology surgery treats the kidneys, ureters, bladder, prostate and urethra, from kidney stone removal and cystoscopy to prostate surgery and kidney operations. Many urology procedures are done through the urethra with no external cuts, and several are short day cases.
Urology Surgery procedures we cover
Every guide includes public waiting times, private costs in Ireland, and the EU Cross-Border option reimbursed by the HSE.
Cystoscopy & Bladder Procedures
Cystoscopy uses a thin camera passed through the urethra to look inside the bladder. It's used to investigate blood in the urine…
Kidney Stone Removal
Kidney stone removal clears stones from the kidney or ureter that are too large to pass, causing pain or blocking urine flow.…
Kidney Surgery
Kidney surgery (nephrectomy) removes all or part of a kidney, most often to treat kidney cancer, and sometimes for a non-working or…
Prostate Surgery (TURP)
TURP removes part of an enlarged prostate from the inside, through the urethra, to relieve problems passing urine. It's the long-established standard…
Urethral & Ureteric Surgery
Urethral and ureteric surgery treats narrowings and blockages of the tubes that carry urine: the urethra from the bladder, and the ureters…
Have your surgery in weeks, not years
Under the EU Cross-Border Healthcare Directive, you can be treated in an accredited EU/EEA hospital and claim the cost back from the HSE — with a GP or consultant referral.
Check whether you qualify and what you'd get back.
*Reimbursement is capped at the cost of the same treatment in the Irish public health system. Travel, accommodation and any balance above the HSE rate are not covered. Pre-authorisation applies to treatment involving an overnight hospital stay.
Why urology waits matter
Urology has long outpatient and surgical waiting lists in parts of the Irish public system. Conditions such as an enlarged prostate or kidney stones are often not dangerous in the short term, but they can cause pain, repeated infections, sleep disruption from night-time urination and, if left untreated, kidney damage or urinary retention.
Some symptoms need urgent assessment. Visible blood in the urine should always be investigated promptly, and not being able to pass urine at all, or a kidney stone with fever, is an emergency.
Your options
You can be treated publicly with a GP referral, privately in Ireland, or in another EU country under the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive, claiming back up to the Irish public cost. Day case procedures such as cystoscopy usually don’t need prior authorisation, while overnight procedures like TURP and kidney surgery do.
Cancer-related urology, such as kidney or bladder cancer, is managed through rapid-access pathways and is usually best coordinated by your Irish team.
Questions about urology surgery
What does a urologist treat?
Urologists treat conditions of the kidneys, bladder, prostate, ureters and urethra in men and women, as well as male reproductive organs.
Is blood in the urine serious?
It should always be checked promptly, even if it happens once and is painless, as it can be a sign of conditions including bladder or kidney cancer.
Can I have urology surgery abroad?
Yes, provided it is a treatment the HSE would provide in Ireland, you have a referral, and it is carried out in a public or private healthcare provider in another EU/EEA country. You pay upfront and claim back up to the Irish public cost. Travel and accommodation are not covered.
When is a urology problem an emergency?
Being unable to pass urine, severe kidney pain with fever, or sudden severe testicular pain all need emergency care.
Do I need a referral for urology?
Yes. You need a GP referral for a public urologist, and a referral is required to claim cross-border reimbursement.