For decades, the goal of surgery has remained the same: deliver the best possible clinical outcome while minimising the impact on the patient. Today, robotic-assisted surgery is helping to make that ambition a reality, enabling surgeons to perform increasingly complex procedures with greater precision, through smaller incisions, and with faster recovery times. At Cromwell Hospital, we are seeing firsthand how this technology is transforming care across multiple specialties, from gynaecology and colorectal surgery to hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) procedures, urology and paediatric surgery. 

Importantly, robotic-assisted surgery is not about replacing surgeons. It is about equipping highly skilled clinicians with tools that enhance precision, visibility, and control.

As Professor Long Jiao, Consultant Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgeon, explains: “Robotic surgery is a highly advanced technological tool offering huge benefits to both patients and surgeons alike.” 

Innovation with purpose

Over the past several years, Cromwell Hospital has made significant investments in robotic technology, including both the da Vinci Xi and the da Vinci SP (Single Port) systems. 

The da Vinci SP system allows surgeons to perform procedures through a single incision or natural orifice, offering patients the potential benefits of less post-operative pain, reduced scarring, lower blood loss and faster recovery.

Bradley Russell, Surgical Care Practitioner, has worked with da Vinci robotic systems for more than a decade. Reflecting on the development of the technology, he says: “As a Surgical Care Practitioner who has worked with Da Vinci robotic systems for over a decade, it has been a real honour to develop my own clinical skills alongside such remarkable pieces of surgical equipment. Witnessing firsthand the evolution of robotic technology from multiport instrumentation to a single port incision has been a real privilege considering how few single port systems exist in the UK.”

Luis Pedro, CEO of Cromwell Hospital, shares “Robotic-assisted surgery represents a significant step forward in how we deliver care. While the technology itself is remarkable, its real value lies in the difference it makes to patients, from faster recovery and reduced complications to improved clinical outcomes and quality of life. At Cromwell Hospital, we have built one of the UK's most advanced robotic surgery programmes by bringing together exceptional surgeons, specialist nursing teams, theatre staff and allied health professionals in a truly multidisciplinary model of care. This collaborative approach enables us to provide personalised treatment for some of the most complex conditions while continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible in modern surgery. We are proud to be at the forefront of innovation, but even prouder of the impact it is having on the lives of our patients.” 

Breaking new ground in women's health

One of the areas where robotic-assisted surgery is having a particularly significant impact is endometriosis care.

At Cromwell Hospital's International Centre for Endometriosis, led by Mr Amer Raza, Consultant Gynaecologist, robotic-assisted surgery is helping clinicians tackle some of the most challenging cases.

When Cromwell became the first hospital in the UK to perform gynaecology procedures using the da Vinci SP, Mr Raza carried out the first operation. The programme has grown rapidly since then and within months, Mr Raza had completed more than 100 gynaecological procedures.

Reflecting on the milestone, he said: “It's a fantastic system designed to perform complex operations through a single incision, giving us more options to suit our patients' needs and reduce their pain and recovery time.” 

Expanding access across specialties

Robotic surgery has been well established for many years in the UK with Mr Christopher Anderson, Strategic Robotic Lead, having been one of the pioneers in introducing the da Vinci robot to the UK in 2005. Cromwell Hospital has built on that experience with an excellent team of robotic urological surgeons. These surgeons have been early adopters of the Single Port robotic approach and performed surgery for prostate and kidney cancer, and reconstructive urology. 

In 2025, Cromwell Hospital became the first centre in London to perform a single-port robotic colorectal procedure using the da Vinci SP system. The procedure was carried out by Mr Ahmed Karim, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon. 

Mr Karim commented: “Single-port technology offers a less invasive option with faster recovery and minimal scarring. I am proud to introduce this advanced technique and to support the continued development of robotic surgery at Cromwell Hospital.” 

Most recently, the hospital has extended robotic-assisted surgery into paediatric urology.

Miss Marie-Klaire Farrugia, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon and Urologist, is using robotic technology to treat children with complex urological conditions, helping to reduce pain, shorten recovery and enable earlier discharge home. 

As Miss Farrugia explains: “Robotic-assisted surgery allows us to perform highly precise reconstructive procedures through very small incisions, which means less pain, faster recovery, and an earlier return home for children and their families.” 

Looking ahead

Eighteen months after launching the da Vinci SP programme, Cromwell Hospital has established itself as one of the UK's leading centres for robotic-assisted surgery. Procedures now span gynaecology, colorectal surgery, HPB surgery, thoracic surgery and urology, supported by multidisciplinary teams committed to continuous innovation. 

Reflecting on the programme's growth, Mr Anderson said: “This first year of our single-port programme is a fantastic achievement and reflects the dedication and collaboration of the entire Cromwell team. Together, we've built something to be proud of, and we're excited to keep growing, innovating, and delivering even better outcomes for our patients in the years ahead.” 

The future of surgery will continue to be shaped by advances in technology. But the true measure of success will remain unchanged: helping patients recover faster, return to the activities they enjoy, and achieve the best possible outcomes. Robotic-assisted surgery is helping make that future a reality today.

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