Bermuda Hospitals Board this afternoon announced that Gordon Kooiman has been named the new director of urology at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

According to a statement, the appointment of a urologist was needed to meet demand for services, including the diagnosis and treating of people with cancer in the urinary tract, enlarged prostates and kidney stones.

Dr Kooiman previously worked for King's College Hospital and Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals in England as a consultant urological and laparoscopic surgeon, a position he held from 2007, and before that as a locum consultant urologist at Darent Valley Hospital in Kent.

Originally from the Netherlands, Dr Kooiman undertook his medical training at Guy's Hospital Medical School in London. His sub-speciality interests include open and laparoscopic renal surgery and endourology and is experienced in using many new technologies such as greenlight laser for the management of benign prostatic hypertrophy and laser fragmentation of kidney stones.

Keith Chiappa, chief of staff, said: “I am very pleased to welcome Dr Kooiman and improve access to specialist urology services for people in Bermuda.

“BHB's commitment is to provide the services needed by the community and we are very pleased to appoint someone of Dr Kooiman's calibre and experience.”

Dr Kooiman, meanwhile, said he was happy to join the BHB, and looks forward to working for patients on the island.