Mr Christopher Bates Skip To Content
Mr Christopher Bates

Mr Christopher Bates

Consultant Urologist

MBBS, BSc, FRCS (Urol), MS

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Conditions and Treatments

  • Circumcision
  • Cystoscopy
  • Cystoscopy and bladder biopsy
  • Endoscopic examination of the ureter (ureteroscopy)
  • Endoscopic incision of outlet of male bladder
  • Endoscopic insertion of ureteric stent (prosthesis)
  • Endoscopic retrograde pyelogram
  • Epididymal cyst
  • Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP)
  • Hydrocele repair
  • Insertion of testicular prosthesis
  • Insertion/removal of catheter
  • Orchidectomy (removal of testicle)
  • Preputioplasty
  • Resection of bladder tumours (TURBT)
  • Resection of prostate (TURP - transurethral removal of prostate)
  • Therapy for prostate problems (REZUM)
  • Trans-urethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT)
  • Urethral dilation
  • Vasectomy
  • Vasectomy reversal - microsurgical

Professional bio

Chris Bates has worked as a Consultant Urological Surgeon in the NHS and private practice for over 23 years. He has experience and expertise in the investigation and treatment of all common urological conditions (eg urinary, bladder or prostate symptoms and infections, testicular and foreskin problems, abnormal PSA, microsurgical vasectomy reversal). He was an early adopter of Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HOLEP) and has a vast experience of the procedure which is regarded as one of the most dependable and durable treatments to relieve prostate symptoms. He is gaining experience of REZUM, a more minor procedure, being introduced to treat selected patients with prostate symptoms. 

Chris Bates studied medicine at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical School between 1980 and 1986 (MBBS).  He gained Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (FRCS) in 1991 and continued Urological training in London teaching hospitals including St Mary’s, Charing Cross, Hammersmith and the Royal Marsden Hospitals. He was awarded specialist accreditation in 1996 (FRCS Urol). During his medical studies, he obtained further BSc and MS Degrees which included a thesis studying the immunological aspects of infertility. A continuing interest in male infertility and its treatment allowed him to develop expertise in the microsurgical reversal of vasectomy.

Special Clinical Interests

Chris Bates set up the first HOLEP practice in Wales, performing it regularly from 2006, training Junior Surgeons locally and Consultants from other Hospitals.

He was a founder member of the Holmium User Group which was established in 2006 to provide UK training program and support for HOLEP. Chris receives referrals from all areas of South and Mid Wales and the South West of England.

Qualifications

BSc (Hons) June 1983

 MBBS (Lond) June 1986

 FRCS (Eng) October 1990

 MS November 1996

FRCS (Urol)  June 1997

Year of first medical qualification: 1986

Professional Memberships

Royal College of Surgeons of England,
Welsh Urological Society,
Medical Protection Society,
European Association of Urology,
British Medical Association.

Personal Profile

I am married and have two grown-up children and two black labradors. 

I enjoy spending time with my family, being taken for a walk by our dogs, gardening and fishing when I can.

Published Works/Papers

Minimal access perineal urethrostomy using percutaneous nephrolithotomy skills to complete holmium laser enucleation of the prostate.
Eylert M, Bates C.
Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2019;101(4):306-307. doi:10.1308/rcsann.2018.0155

Holmium laser enucleation versus simple prostatectomy for treating large prostates: Results of a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Jones P, Alzweri L, Rai BP, Somani BK, Bates C, Aboumarzouk OM.
Arab J Urol. 2016;14(1):50-58. doi:10.1016/j.aju.2015.10.001

Nicorandil-induced penile ulceration: a case report.
Yap D, Aboumarzouk O, Bates C
J Med Case Rep. 2016;10:194. Published 2016 Jul 16. doi:10.1186/s13256-016-0987-3

Self-assessment questionnaires following HOLEP
C Constantin, Z Aslam, C A Bates
Welsh Urological Society Autumn 2014

HOLEP: My three cents worth – an audit of the first 300 patients I treated
C A Bates
Welsh Urological Society Autumn 2013

Ureteric Endometriosis
T Jabbar, C A Bates
Welsh Urological Society Autumn 2013

Urogenital tuberculosis: early suspicion and treatment – a case-based review
BAM Osman, R Chandra, JS Phull, C A Bates
Welsh Urological Society Autumn 2013

Adherence to standard postoperative instructions for catheter removal can 
shorten hospital stay
H Serag, J Phull, C A Bates
Welsh Urological Society March 2012

HOLEP – The Royal Gwent Experience
C A Bates
Welsh Urological Society March 2009

A transfusion audit of major open urological surgery
R A Hurle, J Wilson, C A Bates and N J Fenn
Welsh Urological Society 2007

The estimation of prostate volume using a nomogram
K Morley, P J O’Malley and C A Bates
Welsh Urological Society and European Association of Urology 2003

An audit of the use of intravesical Mitomycin C
C Beaton, R Skyrme, O Hughes, C A Bates, W Bowsher, R Gower
Welsh Urological Society 2003

Bates C A.
Antisperm antibodies and male subfertility.  A Review
British Journal of  Urology 1997; 80: 691 - 7

Bates C A.
Current Concepts in Male Infertility. A Review
European Urology Update Series 1997; 6: 91 - 6

Savage P, Bates C, Abel P, Waxman.
British urological surgery practice: 1. Prostate cancer.
British Journal of Urology 1997; 79: 749 - 55 

Bates C A.
The potential of IgA protease in the management of immunological infertility.
MS thesis, University of London, 1996

Glass JM, Edwards RJ, Bates CA, Snell ME.
Re: Penile gangrene associated with chronic renal failure: 
report of 7 cases and review of the literature [letter].
Journal of Urology 1995; 154: 1144

Bates C A, Beckly D, Rahamim J.
A new endoscopic method of treating malignant oesophagobronchial fistulas.
Endoscopy 1991; 23: 136 - 8.

Bates C A, Rahamim J.
Case report: Tracheal lipoma.
Thorax 1989; 44: 980.

Testimonials

These are extracts are from some of the letters I have received over the years. Reading these back makes me extremely grateful that I am able to carry out the surgery that can make such a difference. 

‘I am so grateful to you all for carrying out the HOLEP operation on me a couple of weeks ago. I have just had the catheter removed (which had to be put in the day after the op) and the flow is the best for many years. It is real liberation. Many Thanks.’

‘I am writing to thank you and Dr Griffiths for carrying out the HOLEP operation so efficiently. After many years enduring BPH it is a great relief to restore normal workings and I am glad to report there have been no noticeable side effects.’

‘It is now 3 months since I left you in St Joseph’s Hospital after a tricky time in the Urology Department at the Royal Gwent Hospital. I am delighted to inform you that the operation you performed was a complete success. My waterworks are performing well … another success story!’ (HoLEP)

‘Prior to going into the operating theatre the Anaesthetist’s friendly talk and reassurance that she would be present throughout put me at complete ease. Following the operation, I was pleasantly surprised that I suffered no pain or discomfort. The following day I had a slight temperature subsiding back to normal. Following removal of the catheter, I was relieved to find I was back to normal for urinating and side effects were minimal. I am now back to a normal happy relationship with my partner and cannot thank you and your team enough for the quality of life that you have returned to me.’ (HoLEP) 

‘I wrote shortly after the operation to thank you and your team for what I consider near-miraculous surgery. It was indeed 'a walk in the park’ and to this day I do not understand how it is possible to gain access to the prostate without leaving at least some discomfort. There was none. The least enjoyable part was the insertion of the cannula into my hand by the anaesthetist. Perhaps this note might help the apprehensive or wavering patient. I am most grateful to you.’ (HOLEP)

‘Just a note to thank you. I was passing urine the next morning and apart from a little urgency am back to normal with no pain or bleeding. The nursing care was excellent and I have written to Sister to thank her.’ (HOLEP)

From a colleague reviewing my patient, ‘This gentleman wanted to pass on his thanks to you following his HOLEP procedure. He said he has had a fantastic improvement in the way he voids and is very happy and it has changed his life entirely. He was very keen to tell you how pleased he was with the procedure.’

‘During the last couple of years that I’ve been a patient of yours, I’ve received excellent support and treatment. At each consultation, you have reviewed, comprehensively, the symptoms and development of my enlarged prostate. The advice you have given has always been appreciated and reassuring. I was especially pleased you were able to respond quickly to arrange relief from the discomfort and inconvenience of the catheter inserted following urinary retention. … On return to my room from surgery (HOLEP), I experienced no pain and in less than 24 hours I began to appreciate the benefits of the procedure. You also visited to discuss the outcome and answered my questions fully. This was very reassuring and confidence building. As the beneficiary of your outstanding skills, knowledge and understanding, allied to your very personable, caring approach, I am extremely grateful to have been under your care. Thank you.' very much.