CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Aquablation therapy
- Robotic surgery for superior precision
- Minimally invasive therapy for faster recovery times
- Effective for all prostate sizes and types
Aquablation therapy at HCA UK
Why choose us?
Gain fast access to expert urology care from our specialists in Aquablation therapy, with a consultant appointment confirmed within 24 hours.
HCA UK is the first UK provider to offer advanced prostate treatments including cutting-edge robotic technology alongside Aquablation, so you can rest assured you’ll be in safe hands.
What’s more, we offer Aquablation therapy using both the AquaBeam® Robotic System and the HYDROS™ Robotic System, enabling our experienced consultant urologists to deliver a precise, minimally invasive treatment with consistent outcomes, significant symptom relief and a lower risk of long-term complications.
Aquablation therapy is a breakthrough, minimally invasive surgical treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that can cause urinary symptoms such as slow flow, frequent urination, and difficulty emptying the bladder.
At HCA UK, we use the AquaBeam® Robotic System and the HYDROS™ Robotic System, heat-free, robotically guided, minimally invasive surgical technologies that use advanced mapping to create a bespoke surgical plan.
Using real-time imaging and, direct visualisation through a telescope, and a high-velocity waterjet, your urologist can remove excess prostate tissue with exceptional accuracy, offering relief from urinary symptoms while preserving urinary and sexual function.
Precision: Aquablation therapy offers greater precision in targeting and removing excess prostate tissue, effectively relieving urinary symptoms associated with BPH. We use two kinds of imaging in the operating room which allows your surgeon to see your entire prostate.
Minimally invasive: compared to traditional surgical interventions, Aquablation therapy is minimally invasive, resulting in reduced post-operative pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times.
Preservation of urinary function: Aquablation therapy preserves urinary and sexual function by minimising damage to surrounding nerves and other critical structures.
Minimally invasive: compared to traditional surgical interventions, Aquablation therapy is minimally invasive, resulting in reduced post-operative pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times.
Preservation of urinary function: Aquablation therapy preserves urinary and sexual function by minimising damage to surrounding nerves and other critical structures.
35,000+
outpatient urology visits across HCA UK in 2024
11,000+
urology specific ultrasounds carried out in 2024
100+
urology consultants to choose from for your care
Fast access to appointments
Speak to an expert urologist or urogynaecologist within 24 hours
Personalised care and support
At every stage, from initial consultation right through to recovery
State-of-the-art facilities
Comfortable, private facilities in London, Birmingham and Manchester
YOUR PATIENT JOURNEY
Understanding the Aquablation process
From the moment you step through the door, until you’re ready to leave, we want you to feel as comfortable as possible. We do this by letting you know what to expect at each stage.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here or in the FAQ section below, please contact your patient support team or clinical nurse specialist who will be able to help.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here or in the FAQ section below, please contact your patient support team or clinical nurse specialist who will be able to help.
01
Initial consultation
Whether you’ve self-referred, or you have a referral from a GP, your first consultation will usually be with one of our urologists so they can find out more about your symptoms and address any questions or concerns you may have.
Your consultant will ask you about your medical history and symptoms and arrange any imaging or diagnostic tests you might need.
Your consultant will ask you about your medical history and symptoms and arrange any imaging or diagnostic tests you might need.
02
Tests and scans
Your consultant may carry out a number of tests, including a physical examination, urine test, blood tests and ultrasound scans.
It’s usually possible to complete any necessary urology tests during the same week as your consultation and receive your results within 48 hours.
It’s usually possible to complete any necessary urology tests during the same week as your consultation and receive your results within 48 hours.
03
The Aquablation procedure
You will have a discussion with your consultant to fully prepare you before your procedure. They’ll tell you what you can eat and drink and they’ll talk to you about your anticipated recovery timeline.
Your procedure will take around an hour and you’ll most likely need to stay overnight as we generally carry out this procedure under general anaesthetic and you’ll be fitted with a catheter.
Your procedure will take around an hour and you’ll most likely need to stay overnight as we generally carry out this procedure under general anaesthetic and you’ll be fitted with a catheter.
04
Follow-up and after care
Immediately following surgery, you will be in the care of our team of specialist nurses to support your recovery. You'll need to arrange for someone to take you home from hospital, and you may need help at home following the procedure.
You'll have a catheter for one or two days following the procedure, and your doctor will give you clear instructions about how to manage this, what medication to take and what activities you can do at each stage. We usually encourage non-strenuous walking after this procedure. We will also offer you follow-up appointments to support your recovery.
Aquablation is associated with faster recovery times, so you should find you’re back to most of your normal routine within a week or two, although full recovery can take a little longer.
You'll have a catheter for one or two days following the procedure, and your doctor will give you clear instructions about how to manage this, what medication to take and what activities you can do at each stage. We usually encourage non-strenuous walking after this procedure. We will also offer you follow-up appointments to support your recovery.
Aquablation is associated with faster recovery times, so you should find you’re back to most of your normal routine within a week or two, although full recovery can take a little longer.
Our locations
Where can I have my procedure?
Accessing private healthcare
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Aquablation therapy FAQs
Aquablation uses a heat-free, waterjet technique to precisely target only the tissue to be removed, protecting the surrounding tissue and avoiding the need for incisions.
Traditional prostate surgeries such as transurethral resection (‘TURP’) and holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP), on the other hand, remove tissue using electrical or laser energy.
Aquablation differs from TURP and HoLEP that it can help preserve both urinary and sexual function after treatment. What’s more, as a minimally invasive surgical procedure, recovery times are generally shorter.
Traditional prostate surgeries such as transurethral resection (‘TURP’) and holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP), on the other hand, remove tissue using electrical or laser energy.
Aquablation differs from TURP and HoLEP that it can help preserve both urinary and sexual function after treatment. What’s more, as a minimally invasive surgical procedure, recovery times are generally shorter.
Aquablation is ideal for men with moderate to severe benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms who haven’t responded to medication. The technique is also suitable for larger prostates, or for those looking for a less invasive surgical option to help preserve sexual function and urinary continence.
If you are experiencing urinary tract symptoms you should speak to a urologist to confirm whether a benign enlarged prostate (BPH) is the cause or if there are other conditions that need to be investigated. Your consultant will also be able to tell you if Aquablation is suitable for your specific condition.
While there is a small risk associated with all kinds of surgery and anaesthesia, the risks and side effects of Aquablation therapy tend to be mild or temporary. You may experience some mild pain on urinating, pelvic discomfort, urinary infections or blood in the urine. However, these usually resolve within a few weeks.
Your consultant will discuss any other risks particular to your health and condition.
Your consultant will discuss any other risks particular to your health and condition.
Aquablation is an evidence-based approach that is shown to be highly effective as a treatment for the symptoms of enlarged prostate. After an initial recovery phase of a few weeks, urinary symptoms are significantly eased. In clinical trials, patients show significant improvements in urinary tract symptoms and urinary flow rate lasting for several years.
Aquablation is available across our locations for both self pay and insured patients, with referral pathways through our consultant network.
Patient stories
Robert’s story
After years of his prostate problems causing urinary issues, Robert just wanted to be able to enjoy his normal life again.
Richard's prostate cancer story
With a busy lifestyle and demanding schedule, Richard Eaton, a 57-year-old father or two and Technology Services Director, had put off his health assessment for years.
He felt fit and healthy and had no concerning symptoms. However, due to spending more time at home during the pandemic, he finally found time to book in for his routine screening in August 2020.
Graeme's story
After experiencing persistent stomach pain for a week, Graeme visited his GP practice. A series of tests led to an unexpected diagnosis of prostate cancer, and for Graeme, the chance to benefit from innovative surgery at The Harborne Hospital in Birmingham.
“My wife and I would like to thank you and your team for the superb quality of every aspect of the work that you carried out; first class and totally professional. It is no wonder that you are in such demand.”
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