From harnessing robotic technology for complex surgical care to deploying ground-breaking radiotherapy treatments, Cromwell Hospital has been innovating and improving how healthcare is delivered for more than 40 years. In 2024, we introduced even more advancements to the way in which we deliver complex care to our patients, including the expansion of several services and the acquisition of the latest, leading-edge technology.
We have recently invested in the da Vinci Single Port (SP) robotic surgical system, which will join our existing da Vinci Xi system in providing advanced surgery. The acquisition of the SP system represents a significant step forward in our commitment to providing world-class healthcare through the latest technology.
The SP is an advanced single-port robotic system that enables consultants to carry out delicate and complex surgery through just one single incision. This has many benefits for patients, including a faster recovery period and less pain. At Cromwell Hospital, the SP will initially be utilised for urology, gynaecology and HPB operations.
Mr Amer Raza, a consultant gynaecologist at Cromwell Hospital, who performed the first gynaecology surgery on the da Vinci SP, says: “It is a real honour to be the first consultant in the UK to perform a gynaecology operation on the da Vinci SP. At Cromwell Hospital, we’re committed to improving women’s health, giving them fast access to care and innovative new treatments, and this is further proof of that commitment. I’ll be using the da Vinci SP for endometriosis and fibroid surgery and hysterectomies.
“The system is designed to perform complex operations through a single incision or natural orifice, making sure it is minimally invasive for patients and leaving less scarring. It also helps surgeons with greater precision and give us more options to suit our patient’s needs.”
Providing world-class care for our patients is important to us, which is why we’re constantly developing our services and facilities. In 2025, we at Cromwell Hospital were delighted to welcome Professor Shaun Preston, a consultant surgeon who recently performed the hospital's first upper gastrointestinal (GI) robotic surgery. Such surgery treats conditions affecting the upper half of the digestive system, which includes the stomach, small bowel and oesophagus.
Professor Preston has an international reputation in the field of oesophago-gastric cancer and complex hiatal surgery. He has a wealth of expertise in robotic, laparoscopic (keyhole) and open surgery, and in endoscopic techniques including interventional endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound. By expanding our upper GI service to include robotic surgery, alongside Professor Preston’s international expertise, we will be able to support a greater number of patients.
Cromwell Hospital provides one of the UK's largest and most comprehensive private head and neck cancer services. To accommodate the demand for services, the team has recently moved into a new, dedicated space that will allow them to carry out additional outpatient and dental procedures.
The department has an exceptional track record for success in head and neck cancer surgeries. Having carried out the UK’s largest number of private head and neck surgeries with free flap reconstruction between October 2022 and 2023, the team also achieved a 98% success rate doing so.
Additionally, the team is dedicated to the continuous improvement of their service. In 2023, Diana Norinho, a head and neck clinical nurse specialist, spearheaded a project to introduce PICO wound healing technology to reduce recovery time for head and neck patients.
Head and neck surgeon Mr Alastair Fry, who leads the department, says: “It was a privilege to support Diana so she could create a trial to improve wound dressings for my patients. It is essential that we continue to support innovation across healthcare for the benefit of patients and staff.”
When it comes to cancer, time is of the essence to ensure the best outcomes for patients. Cromwell Hospital proudly provides four pathways to facilitate the rapid investigation and diagnosis of breast, prostate, bowel and gastrointestinal cancers. Most patients will enter the pathway following a problem identified at a GP appointment and will be able to see a specialist and undergo all the required tests on the same day.
With us, patients can be reassured that they will be assessed and diagnosed swiftly. On our breast pathway in 2023, 97% of patients receive results within four days of undergoing a biopsy, while on our bowel and prostate pathways, 100% of patients were offered treatment within 14 days and 31 days of diagnosis respectively.
Patients who receive a cancer diagnosis are swiftly referred on to our world-leading cancer department, which has been in receipt of a wide range of accreditations and awards. We are proud to have recently been re-accredited by the Macmillan Quality Environment Mark and the Gold Standards Framework Quality Hallmark Award for palliative care.
Sylvia was diagnosed with womb cancer and had a hysterectomy at Cromwell Hospital as part of her treatment: “It was very good, someone was there to greet me at the door and take me to my room – a room to myself was a real luxury. The care was really attentive, the nurses kept me informed about what was going on and continually checked on me. I stayed in hospital for one night and everyone I dealt with was very positive, pleasant, and knowledgeable.”
The Liver and Renal Centre at Cromwell Hospital offers some of the most advanced treatments available, including selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT).The Centre also provides complex transplantation services for both the liver and kidneys, led by a dedicated transplant team. The service consistently delivers exceptional outcomes for patients: from 2020-22, the hospital achieved a 100% survival rate one-year post-operation for both donors and recipients.
Additionally, Cromwell Hospital contains one of the largest private dialysis units in the UK, with nine haemodialysis stations, specialist nurses, and a 24-hour on-call consultant.
To find out more about Cromwell Hospital or to book an appointment, call:
+44 (0)20 7244 4886 (self-pay), +44 (0)20 7460 5700 (insurance)
or visit: cromwellhospital.com
