When a patient experiences ill health or severe life stress, especially if it relates to a “cancer scare”, it is not uncommon for their sense of general well-being to unravel. In his work as a specialist Urologist and Fellowship-trained Robotic Surgeon, Dr Symons practice aims to minimise the burden of such events for his patients.
At SydneyUro, an ethos of close collaboration in a patient’s care between all health professionals is upheld to improve communication, maintain safety and optimise patient outcomes. Collaboration between general practice, radiology, oncology, pathology, renal and surgical colleagues are frequently made to ensure a multidisciplinary team approach is taken to optimise patient outcomes.
“My aim is to tirelessly deliver the highest standard of care that I would expect for my own family. No exceptions.
I will always take the time to communicate clearly with patients, discuss their problems, and explain their treatment options.”
Dr Symons believes in tailoring a patient’s care to their own unique circumstances, and ensures that all patients are fully informed and actively involved in the decision-making process.
Dr Symons clinical aims are:
To provide a receptive environment, listening to your concerns and recognizing your priorities
To explain things in great clarity so that you understand your disease
To clearly explain your options, both surgical and non-surgical
To deliver the very best care that he can
Meet Dr James Symons
MBBS (Hons), BMedSc, MS (Urology), FRACS (Urology)
Urologist, Robotic & Laparoscopic Urological Surgeon
Senior Lecturer, University of Sydney
Director, Sydney Uro
Dr Symons areas of subspecialty practice include:
- Prostate Cancer – pre-diagnosis, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring during remission
- High PSA evaluation &monitoring
- Imaging – MRI, PSMA PET, Fusion
- Transperineal Prostate Biopsy (author of Australia’s largest published series)
- MRI fusion targeted biopsy
- Robotic-assisted Radical Prostatectomy
- Nerve-sparing Robotic Prostatectomy
- Open Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy
- Active Surveillance
- Radiotherapy Planning
- Clinical Trials
- Quality of Life Research
- Patient Advocacy / Community Education & Support
Benign Prostate Problems
- Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms “Prostatism”, Overactive Bladder (OAB) / Urge Urinary Incontinence (UUI), BPH “enlarged prostate”
- Evaluation
- Medical Management
- Minimally-invasive Prostate Surgery (REZUM, UroLift)
- “Ejaculation-Sparing” TURP
- Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP, or “rebore”)
- BiPolar TURP
- Greenlight Laser Prostatectomy
- Robotic-assisted Simple Prostatectomy
- Clinical Trials
Renal Tumours
- Laparoscopic kidney surgery
- Robotic kidney surgery
- Kidney cyst monitoring & treatment
Renal Colic (Kidney Stones / Ureteric Stones)
- Ureteroscopy
- Pyeloscopy
- Laser stone surgery
- External shockwave lithotripsy
- Male Incontinence
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Haematuria (Blood in the Urine) / Urothelial (“Bladder”) Cancer Management
- Microscopic / Macroscopic haematuria evaluation
- Weekly cystoscopy lists to permit rapid-access
- Radical cystectomy
- Clinical trials
- Vasectomy
- Microsurgical vasectomy reversal
- Senior Lecturer, Sydney Adventist Hospital Clinical School
- Course co-ordinator – SURG 5043 – Master of Surgery : Surgical Endoscopy
- Clinical Research
- Peer Review
Dr James Symons is the third generation to graduate from medicine at the University of Sydney.
His grandfather, Dr Cedric Symons, graduated from Medicine at Sydney University in 1941 and was a resident at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. He enlisted in WW2 and served abroad as a Captain with the 2/7th Australian General Hospital in New Guinea. After the war, Cedric left the family home in Vaucluse to settle in the farmlands of Westmead, where he built a house and general practice on Hawkesbury Road, a short stroll from Westmead Hospital where he worked for many years. Dr Cedric Symons continued to practice as a traditional GP at 71 Hawkesbury Road, serving the local population, until he retired at the age of 75 years.
James is fortunate to work alongside his father, Dr Nigel Symons, at Sydney Adventist Hospital.
In addition to medicine, the family has a multigenerational history of service to the Australian population in health, defence and law. Honor non honores.
Dr James Symons
MBBS (Hons), BMedSc, MS (Urology), FRACS (Urology) - Urologist, Robotic & Laparoscopic Urological Surgeon Senior Lecturer, University of Sydney Director, Sydney Uro
SydneyUro provides rapid and affordable access to Urological care in three convenient consulting locations in Sydney’s Darlinghurst, Wahroonga & Eastwood. In addition to Dr Symons’ active Sydney schedule, he has spent his weekends providing subspecialist services to the Riverina community since 2008.
Dr Symons is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, a faculty member at the University of Sydney, a founding member of the St Vincent’s Community Hospital Medical Advisory Committee, and holds membership with the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand, Australian Medial Association, European Association of Urology, American Urological Association, Australian – Canadian Prostate Cancer Research Alliance, International Continence Society, Academy of Surgical Educators, and Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Glasgow.
Meet the Team
Sydney Uro Administrative Team
Your first and ongoing point of contact with our practice will be our friendly practice support team.
Karen
Practice Manager
For the last 3 years, I have been proud to be a part of the team at SydneyUro. Providing support, to our patients and their families in any way I can to make their experience as smooth as possible so that they can focus on their journey to better health.
Maria
Receptionist
After many years in an allied health practice, Maria joined SydneyUro in 2019 and rapidly became part of the ‘family’. Maria’s friendly nature is evident from first meeting her. She provides an extremely friendly and attentive front-of-house to the practice, and will be present both on the phone and at many of your consultations. She is particularly helpful at assisting with the health care journey for our patients and their families, who may often need to have additional tests or procedures booked as part of their treatment plan.
Karen
Practice Manager
For the last 3 years, I have been proud to be a part of the team at SydneyUro. Providing support, to our patients and their families in any way I can to make their experience as smooth as possible so that they can focus on their journey to better health.
Maria
Receptionist
After many years in an allied health practice, Maria joined SydneyUro in 2019 and rapidly became part of the ‘family’. Maria’s friendly nature is evident from first meeting her. She provides an extremely friendly and attentive front-of-house to the practice, and will be present both on the phone and at many of your consultations. She is particularly helpful at assisting with the health care journey for our patients and their families, who may often need to have additional tests or procedures booked as part of their treatment plan.
Sydney Uro Clinical Support Team
When undergoing any form of medical treatment or surgery, it is important that you feel comfortable and safe in the hands of an experienced and supportive clinical team who will prepare and care for you throughout your journey.
My clinical support team not only includes my Anaesthetists below, but also my experienced Scrub / Scout nursing team who support me in the theatre environment, and the clinical ward nursing teams who work with me to support you in your recovery.
Dr Nigel Symons
MBBS, FFARACS, FANZCA, Dip ABA - Anaesthetist
Specialist Anaesthetist and Medical Perfusionist.
Dr Nigel Symons is an experienced doctor with over 30 years of anaesthetic practice. After time spent as part of the Harvard Medical School faculty, Nigel took up senior anaesthetic and perfusion roles at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, where he worked for 20 years. He has extensive experience in Cardiac Anaesthesia, Medical Perfusion and Major Pelvic Urological Surgery. In addition to his work with James at Sydney Adventist Hospital, he continues to perform anaesthesia for cardiac surgery, major joint replacements and general surgery.
Dr Nigel Symons is the past Chairman of the NSW Section of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists (https://asa.org.au) and serves as a member of the Claims and Advisory Committees for MDA National, one of Australia’s largest medical insurers.
Dr Justin Reed
MB.BS (Syd Uni). FANZCA. Post Grad Dip Peri Op U/S - Anaesthetist
Specialist Anaesthetist
Dr Reed is a specialist Anaesthetist who has been working as a Consultant in Sydney for 20 years. After graduating from Sydney University, Justin completed his specialty training at St Vincent’s Hospital in 1995. After extensive training in Australia, he continued to work and pursued further trained opportunities in the UK, with appointments in both Salisbury and Edinburgh.
Justin’s medical interests are in Urological anaesthesia, as well as anaesthesia for Orthopaedic, Vascular and Spinal surgery.
Outside of medicine he is a keen photographer and sports fan.
To make certain that your anaesthetic experience is as smooth and safe as possible, Dr Reed makes it a priority to always be available to call or consult with you both pre- and post-procedure. Justin’s aim is to put all patients at ease and ensure they have the best perioperative experience possible.
Preferred rooms contact No: 02 8001 6185
Dr Nigel Symons
MBBS, FFARACS, FANZCA, Dip ABA - Anaesthetist
Specialist Anaesthetist and Medical Perfusionist.
Dr Nigel Symons is an experienced doctor with over 30 years of anaesthetic practice. After time spent as part of the Harvard Medical School faculty, Nigel took up senior anaesthetic and perfusion roles at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, where he worked for 20 years. He has extensive experience in Cardiac Anaesthesia, Medical Perfusion and Major Pelvic Urological Surgery. In addition to his work with James at Sydney Adventist Hospital, he continues to perform anaesthesia for cardiac surgery, major joint replacements and general surgery.
Dr Nigel Symons is the past Chairman of the NSW Section of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists (https://asa.org.au) and serves as a member of the Claims and Advisory Committees for MDA National, one of Australia’s largest medical insurers.
Dr Justin Reed
MB.BS (Syd Uni). FANZCA. Post Grad Dip Peri Op U/S - Anaesthetist
Specialist Anaesthetist
Dr Reed is a specialist Anaesthetist who has been working as a Consultant in Sydney for 20 years. After graduating from Sydney University, Justin completed his specialty training at St Vincent’s Hospital in 1995. After extensive training in Australia, he continued to work and pursued further trained opportunities in the UK, with appointments in both Salisbury and Edinburgh.
Justin’s medical interests are in Urological anaesthesia, as well as anaesthesia for Orthopaedic, Vascular and Spinal surgery.
Outside of medicine he is a keen photographer and sports fan.
To make certain that your anaesthetic experience is as smooth and safe as possible, Dr Reed makes it a priority to always be available to call or consult with you both pre- and post-procedure. Justin’s aim is to put all patients at ease and ensure they have the best perioperative experience possible.
Preferred rooms contact No: 02 8001 6185
Dr Paul Dunkin
BSc MBBS (UNSW) FRACGP FANZCA - Anaesthetist
Paul is a highly qualified medical specialist in the fields of Anaesthesia and Medical Perfusion, specifically trained in this area for over a decade. Paul completed his studies with the help of scholarships from the Royal Australian Navy – he continues to keep strong links with Defence. Following trainined, he completed a Cardiothoracic Fellowship at St Vincent’s public hospital and was part of the Heart & Lung transplantation team for a number of years. In addition to his regular Robotic work with Dr Symons and Dr Pillinger, he has keen interest in Disaster / Remote Location / Humanitarian Relief medicine, having supported the AFP with the RAN in the Solomon Islands (2003), NSW Dept of Health in Banda Aceh (2004 Tsunami) and Operation Open Heart in Vanuatu (2006). As one of your Dr Symons trusted Anaesthetists, Paul feels his sole responsibility is to ensure your safety and well-being.
Dr Meredith Tey
MBBS, FFARACS - Anaesthetist
Specialist Anaesthetist
Meredith is a Specialist anaesthetist at Sydney Adventist, The Mater, The Northern Beaches Hospital & Hornsby Kuringai Public Hospitals. Her clinical interests include general/vascular surgery, Urology and paediatrics.
Outside of medicine, Meredith loves tennis and running, and has a soft spot for chocolate.
Dr Paul Dunkin
BSc MBBS (UNSW) FRACGP FANZCA - Anaesthetist
Paul is a highly qualified medical specialist in the fields of Anaesthesia and Medical Perfusion, specifically trained in this area for over a decade. Paul completed his studies with the help of scholarships from the Royal Australian Navy – he continues to keep strong links with Defence. Following trainined, he completed a Cardiothoracic Fellowship at St Vincent’s public hospital and was part of the Heart & Lung transplantation team for a number of years. In addition to his regular Robotic work with Dr Symons and Dr Pillinger, he has keen interest in Disaster / Remote Location / Humanitarian Relief medicine, having supported the AFP with the RAN in the Solomon Islands (2003), NSW Dept of Health in Banda Aceh (2004 Tsunami) and Operation Open Heart in Vanuatu (2006). As one of your Dr Symons trusted Anaesthetists, Paul feels his sole responsibility is to ensure your safety and well-being.
Dr Meredith Tey
MBBS, FFARACS - Anaesthetist
Specialist Anaesthetist
Meredith is a Specialist anaesthetist at Sydney Adventist, The Mater, The Northern Beaches Hospital & Hornsby Kuringai Public Hospitals. Her clinical interests include general/vascular surgery, Urology and paediatrics.
Outside of medicine, Meredith loves tennis and running, and has a soft spot for chocolate.
Dr Elizabeth Symons
MBBS, BMedSci, FANZCA - Anaesthetist
Medicine is the second career for Liz, which she entered into after retiring from almost a decade of professional netball in her early 20s. Liz is a valued member of Concord Hospital anaesthetic department, where she has a weekly anaesthetic list, and has a keen interest in teaching & trainee welfare. Like many working mothers, there are not enough hour in day, so James is only occasionally fortunate enough to spend the day working with his wife.
Dr Elizabeth Symons
MBBS, BMedSci, FANZCA - Anaesthetist
Medicine is the second career for Liz, which she entered into after retiring from almost a decade of professional netball in her early 20s. Liz is a valued member of Concord Hospital anaesthetic department, where she has a weekly anaesthetic list, and has a keen interest in teaching & trainee welfare. Like many working mothers, there are not enough hour in day, so James is only occasionally fortunate enough to spend the day working with his wife.
