Urology as a surgical speciality has been evolving for over 200 years. In most
UK hospitals, it was practised by general surgeons until the 1970s, when new
and replacement appointments for dedicated urological surgeons became normal procedure. Higher surgical training in urology is now entirely separate from general surgery. After basic surgical training has been completed, 5 years is spent as Specialist Registrar with the attainment of the specialist FRCS (urol.) examination. Urology continues to evolve, keeping pace with technological advances such as fibre optic endoscopy, laser and laparoscopic instrumentation, therapeutics and molecular biology.
