What is a Cystoscopy?
A cystoscopy involves inserting a thin, flexible or rigid tube with a camera (cystoscope) into the urethra to examine the bladder and urinary tract. This procedure allows your consultant to detect abnormalities, such as:
- Bladder stones
- Tumours or growths
- Infections or inflammation
- Causes of blood in the urine (haematuria)
A flexible cystoscopy is usually performed under local anaesthetic as an outpatient test and is the most common approach, while a rigid cystoscopy, often used when a more detailed examination or treatment is needed, is generally performed under general or spinal anaesthetic. Cystoscopy can also be used to carry out minor procedures at the same time, such as removing small stones or taking tissue samples for further analysis.
Who is a Cystoscopy suitable for?
- Blood in the urine (haematuria), even if it has only happened once
- Recurrent urinary tract infections that haven’t been explained
- Difficulty passing urine, or other new or persistent urinary symptoms
- Patients needing monitoring for a previously diagnosed bladder condition
Your consultant will discuss your symptoms and medical history before recommending a cystoscopy and confirming whether a flexible or rigid approach is most suitable for you.
Cystoscopy at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital
At St John & St Elizabeth Hospital, we offer cystoscopy with a focus on patient comfort and care. Our experienced specialists take a considerate approach, ensuring the procedure is carried out smoothly and with minimal discomfort.
Why choose us for a cystoscopy?
- Specialist Urologists: Our consultants are experts in diagnosing and treating bladder and urinary conditions.
- Minimally Invasive Approach: Cystoscopy is a safe and effective procedure performed with the latest technology.
- Modern Facilities: Our hospital is equipped with advanced imaging and diagnostic tools for accurate results.
- Accessible Location: Conveniently located in NW8, we serve patients from Hampstead (NW3), Kilburn (NW6), and across London.
We are committed to providing clear answers and personalised care for all your urological concerns
Consultants who perform Cystoscopies in London
How Much Does a Private Cystoscopy Cost?
from £650*
The cost of private Cystoscopy starts from £650* at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital.
*The price shown is an estimated guide to the hospital charges associated with your treatment from admission to discharge. Your final cost may vary depending on your individual clinical needs, the procedure performed, any additional treatments required, the type of implant/prosthesis used (where applicable), and the length of stay. This guide price excludes consultation fees, diagnostic tests, and professional fees charged separately by your surgeon, anaesthetist, and any other specialists involved in your care. This is an outpatient guide price/
How to pay for your treatment
If you’re… paying for yourself
Did you know you don’t need private medical insurance to come to St John & St Elizabeth Hospital? As a self-pay patient, you can access safe, outstanding quality health care at times to suit you.
For scans and tests, as well as to see most consultants, you’ll still need to be referred by a medical professional like your GP, but as a self-pay patient, the process is more straightforward. You won’t need authorisation from an insurance provider, and you’ll have greater choice of consultant and appointment times.
If you’re… insured
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is approved by all major medical insurance companies. If you have a personal private health insurance policy, or your company provide it for you, you can use it to pay for your care from your initial consultation through to treatment, surgery and aftercare such as physiotherapy. Not all private health insurance plans cover the same things. It’s very important to check exactly what you are covered for with your insurance provider.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cystoscopy
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is located in St John’s Wood (NW8), easily accessible for patients from Hampstead (NW3), Kilburn (NW6) and across North and Central London.
By Tube: St John’s Wood station (Jubilee Line) is a 5-minute walk to and from St John & St Elizabeth Hospital.
By Bus: Routes 13, 46 and 113 stop near St John’s Wood Underground Station. Routes 139 and 189 stop on Abbey Road.
By Car: Finchley Road and Kilburn High Road provide direct routes from NW3 and NW6.
A urologist may recommend a cystoscopy to investigate symptoms such as blood in the urine, recurrent UTIs, or difficulty passing urine, or to monitor a previously diagnosed bladder condition. It allows them to see directly inside the bladder and urethra, which isn’t possible with a scan alone.
A flexible cystoscopy under local anaesthetic gel is generally well tolerated, though you may feel some pressure or mild discomfort as the cystoscope passes through the urethra. A rigid cystoscopy is performed under general or spinal anaesthetic, so you won’t feel pain during the procedure itself.
A flexible cystoscopy under local anaesthetic usually takes around 5 to 15 minutes. A rigid cystoscopy under sedation or general anaesthetic takes a little longer, typically 15 to 30 minutes, depending on whether any additional procedures are carried out at the same time.
You may be asked to provide a urine sample just before the procedure. Your consultant will then pass the cystoscope through the urethra into the bladder, with images shown in real time on a monitor, allowing them to examine the bladder lining and treat certain issues, such as very small tumours, at the same time if needed.
A cystoscopy is generally recommended when other tests, such as urine tests or imaging, haven’t fully explained your symptoms, or when your consultant needs a direct view inside the bladder to investigate blood in the urine, recurrent infections, or suspected bladder abnormalities.
Some bladder conditions can be initially investigated with urine tests or an ultrasound scan, and our Bladder Investigations service covers this broader range of tests. However, a cystoscopy remains the most direct way to examine the inside of the bladder and is often needed to reach a definitive diagnosis.
Medically reviewed by Mr Leye Ajayi - MBBS MD FRCS FRCS (Urol) on 2/11/2026