Who we are
Founded by Mr Pete Acher MA FRCS (Urol) PhD and Mr Peter Pietrzak MBChB MRCS MSc FRCS (Urol), Essex Urology Partners was established to provide a modern and effective, patient-centred urology service within Essex.
As two highly experienced urology consultants they have pooled their knowledge and research, and identified ways in which to deliver the best patient experience to those needing urology services.
This includes recruiting a well-‐rounded specialist team which includes radiologists, oncologists, physiotherapists, anaesthetists and urology nurse specialists. This team works in collaboration to provide a streamlined diagnostic and treatment service for urology patients.
Mr Pete Acher MA FRCS (Urol) PhD
Mr Pete Acher started his career at Cambridge University where he completed a PhD looking at prostate cancer brachytherapy. He then went on to train within the South Thames sector of the London Specialist Registrar rotation.
In 2010 his work was recognised with a commendation from the Royal Society of Medicine, at the Young Trainee of the Year Awards. Following this, in 2011 he was appointed Consultant Urological Surgeon at Southend University Hospital.
Throughout his career he has strived to further understand the complexities of urological surgery and to help improve the patient experience as a result. He has facilitated significant improvements within prostate diagnostic services within the NHS, helping to reduce infections and deliver improved diagnostic and therapeutic experiences for patients.
He continues to share his knowledge with his peers around the world through published research and conferences, with the ultimate goal being to ensure that all urology patients receive the best possible care currently available.
Whilst Mr Acher routinely manages general urology, kidney stones, problems with urinary flow and urological cancers, his specialisms include:
- Prostate disease
- Prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment
- Laser prostate surgery (HoLEP)
- Management of kidney stones
Mr Peter Pietrzak MBChB MRCS MSc FRCS (Urol)
Mr Peter Pietrzak is a consultant urologist who trained within London and the South East of England in both surgery and urology. He spent a very informative two years at St George’s Hospital in London, researching specific conditions that led to the development of penile cancer. He delivers patient centred care and treatment, using the latest urological advances to ensure that all of his patients are treated in the most effective manner.
Mr Pietrzak is keen to develop urology knowledge and services, and uses his experience to present his research both in the UK and across the globe to the benefit of other urologists and patients. His passion for educating others in the field of urology has led to him playing a pivotal role teaching young doctors as part of the post-‐graduate programme at Anglia Ruskin University, specifically regarding urinary incontinence.
Mr Pietrzak’s specialisms include:
• Bladder lesion removal
• Cystoscopy
• Kidney stones
• Urodynamics
• Urogynaecology including non-‐mesh pelvic floor repairs.
Dr Sid Liyanage
Dr Liyanage has been a Consultant radiologist since 2010. He undertook his undergraduate training at Barts and The London Medical School, obtaining a 1st class BSc in Anatomy & Physiology in 1997 and completing his medical degree in 2000 with distinctions in Surgery and Pathology. Following this he undertook four years of basic surgical training in London during which he completed the MRCS and DOHNS examinations.
He subsequently completed five years of radiology training in London based at Barts and The London Hospitals, with time also spent at Great Ormond Street, London Chest, Royal Marsden, Whipps Cross and Homerton Hospitals.
Dr Liyanage undertook an Abdominal & Pelvic MRI Fellowship at Barts Hospital during his final year of training, developing sub-‐specialist skills in gynae oncology, urological oncology, and endocrinology.
He has an interest in medical education and is currently an Anatomy examiner for the Royal College of Radiologists.
Dr David Tsang
Dr Tsang is a consultant oncologist who specialises in urological cancers as well as upper and lower gastrointestinal cancers. He became a Fellow of the Royal College of Radiologists in 2002, and has a special clinical interest in cancers of the prostate, bladder, oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, colon and rectum.
Alongside his private work he works within the NHS and currently holds a Consultant Clinical Oncologist post at both Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Basildon and Thurrock Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Dr Konrad Wolfe
Jo Hurrell CNS
Jo is an experienced Clinical Nurse Specialist who has been working within urology since 1996. She trained at Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, qualifying as a registered general nurse with a Diploma in higher education, she then progressed to ward sister and subsequently CNS. In 2016 Jo qualified as a non-‐medical prescriber.
Within her role Jo supports patients who have been diagnosed with cancer, as well as those suffering with benign urological conditions and erectile dysfunction. Her unwavering compassion and empathetic approach means that an often difficult patient journey is made a lot easier, with Jo offering advice, support and care.
Her special interests include:
- Bladder dysfunction
- Performing urodynamic investigations
- Erectile dysfunction
- Teaching intermittent self-‐catheterisation and self-‐dilatation
- Performing percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation for an overactive bladder
- Administering bladder instillations for painful bladder and interstitial cystitis.
Emma Chapel CNS
Emma trained at the Royal Free Hospital London, qualifying in 1997 and has worked within the urology department at Southend hospital ever since. In 2008 she took up her current role as Clinical Nurse Specialist.
In 2016 Emma qualified as a non-‐medical prescriber, and in 2017 she completed her MSc with merit in Advanced Healthcare Practice.
Emma’s role is to provide evidence based, high quality care, whilst supporting patients with benign and cancerous urology conditions. Emma understands how daunting it can be for patients attending the clinic or receiving a diagnosis, and her empathy, knowledge and compassion helps to ease patients’ anxieties and make the experience a whole lot easier.
Emma’s specialist interests include:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Urodynamics
- Teaching intermittent self-‐catheterisation and dilatation
- Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation for overactive bladders
- Performing and teaching bladder installations for interstitial cystitis
Linda Griffin
Linda qualified as a Nurse in 1994 and went on to specialise in gynaecology at Basildon Hospital. After graduating as a Physiotherapist in 2003, she joined the Women’s Health Physiotherapy Team at Southend Hospital as a Senior Physiotherapist in 2005.
Her main interests are in pelvic floor re-‐education, bladder and bowel dysfunction, vaginal prolapse and ante/post-‐natal conditions.
Marie Oakley
Marie qualified in 1988 from Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, she initially worked at North Manchester General before moving to Southend Hospital in 1990.
Marie specialises exclusively in Women’s health/continence. She is a full member of the Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy Association, having completed post-graduate certificates at Bradford University.