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HCA Healthcare UK marks milestone 20 years since first robotic surgery in independent sector

From the first robotic surgery in the independent sector to the over 10,000 da Vinci robotic surgeries we have carried out since then, HCA Healthcare UK is proud to mark 20 years of innovation in robotic surgery.

This month HCA Healthcare UK, one of the nation's leading private healthcare providers, is marking 20 years since performing the first robotic surgery in the independent sector.

Two decades ago, Mr. Chris Ogden, Consultant Uro-Oncologist at The Princess Grace Hospital performed the first ever robotic prostatectomy in the private sector, ushering in a new wave of advanced and minimally invasive surgical options for patients. 

Since then, robotic procedures have become one of the ‘standard’ surgical pathways for prostatectomies nationwide, and Mr. Ogden alone has performed over 2,500 procedures. Over this time the use of da Vinci Xi robotic systems has been expanded into other medical specialties including gynecological, colorectal, and thoracic surgeries.

Chris Ogden in 2005 and in 2025.jpg

Leaders in Robotic Surgery

Over the course of twenty years across HCA UK’s network we have performed over 10,000 da Vinci robotically assisted surgeries and thousands more using robotic technology including MAKO, of which there are five across HCA UK Hospitals.

HCA UK has the largest fleet of surgical robots in the independent sector including 8 da Vinci xi robots, and the highest number of robotically trained surgeons outside of the NHS.  In 2024, HCA UK was recognised by PHIN as the leading private provider of robotic surgery, both in terms of volume and variety of surgical procedures offered. 

HCA UK has continued to progress the use of robotic surgery across its network of hospitals, including:

  • Being the first hospital group in the UK to offer Single Port surgery, enabling surgery through one 3cm incision.
  • Being the first hospital group in Europe to advance the use of Single Port for thoracic surgery.
  • Introducing the first Ion system to be used outside of clinical trials in the UK for robotic-assisted bronchoscopy – which enables earlier lung biopsies for the detection of cancer.
  • Bringing the first da Vinci xi robot to the West Midlands independent sector with the opening of The Harborne Hospital in 2024.
da vinci surgery in 2005.jpg

Speaking on this twenty-year milestone Mr Chris Ogden, Consultant Uro-Oncologist at HCA UK’s The Princess Grace Hospital said;

“I’m incredibly proud to have been the first surgeon in the independent sector to perform a robotic prostatectomy two decades ago, and I’m even prouder that robotic surgery has continued to progress not just in my practice and in urology but across medicine.

“The introduction of robotic prostatectomy was a watershed moment in the treatment of prostate conditions and cancers, and it’s made a huge different to thousands of men. From a more minimally invasive procedure to increased accuracy and faster recovery times, robotic prostatectomy has gone from an innovation to the standard surgical approach for the majority of men requiring a prostatectomy. To be part of that journey has been a huge privilege.”

Mr John Reay, HCA Healthcare UK CEO and President, said;

“Adopting innovation at the earliest opportunity for the benefit of our patients is an integral part of our mission, and what marks us out in the sector.

“In the two decades since we brought robotic prostatectomy to the independent sector we have continued to expand and grow our robotics offering to become the leading provider of robotic surgery in the sector. Our partnership with consultants like Chris Ogden, who share their expertise, experience and ambition, is key to ensuring that HCA UK is always at the forefront of clinical advancements. “

 

Find out more about HCA Healthcare UK’s robotic surgery offer