Richard Wells, Director of Technology, Product and Healthcare Informatics, at the Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN), explores the trajectory of robotics in healthcare and what is next for the technology in the sector.
Using robots to assist surgeons has been shown to aid accuracy with minimally invasive surgical procedures possible, leading to improved recovery rates, fewer complications and errors and shorter lengths of stay in hospital.
The use of robot-assistance would therefore appear to offer opportunities increase the number of patients treated and reduce waiting lists, offering benefits to healthcare providers and patients.
These surgical and economic benefits point toward greater use of robots, especially in specialties such as orthopaedics and urology.
Record numbers of robotic assisted surgeries
This theory is backed up in practice. For example, our data shows that the UK’s private healthcare sector alone conducted over 19,000 day-case/in patient procedures using robotic assistance in 2024 (a 43% increase on 2023). This is a record and follows the 33% increase (13,200) in the use of this technology compared in 2023.
There were over 3,300 primary knee replacements (up 51% on 2023) and 2,400 primary hip replacements (up 44%) conducted privately in the UK in 2024 with robotic assistance. Primary unicompartmental knee replacements were up 240% to nearly 500.
Robotic assistance isn’t just limited to joint procedures though. Prostate removal was the third most common procedure (1,200 in 2024) in the UK private sector and there was also a 40%+ increase in kidney removal and hysterectomies using the technology last year.
The same trend was also seen in the NHS in England with over 80,500 elective robotic assisted procedures reported in 2024, a 43% increase on 2023 (56,500).
With similar healthcare challenges, including aging populations, the use of robotic assistance in surgery has had a similar trajectory across Europe. For instance, Germany reported over 60,000 procedures in 2023 and Italy anticipated there would be 50,000 procedures performed in 2024. Advancements in the technology also continue with Sweden having the first European hospital to perform a surgery using a single-port robot. HCA UK was quick to follow later the same month.
The human touch
Robot-assisted surgery doesn’t remove the human element. The robot isn’t actually conducting surgery but is used to assist the surgeon in performing a procedure. It takes extensive planning, involving surgical technicians, and then the robot allows the surgeon to make the most of their time and skills.
The robot provides precise movements and enhances the surgeon’s capabilities, often allowing for more precision and flexibility in complex surgeries. It’s like having a high-tech assistant helping the expert surgeon during the operation.
A costly investment
Purchasing or leasing robotic assistance isn’t cheap and hospitals are looking to maximise the return on their investment by expanding the volume and range of procedures they conduct with it. Data, such as that we collect at PHIN, can provide vital evidence of the impact of robotic assisted technology and help providers to make informed decisions about their purchases.
HCA and Nuffield represent the foremost private providers of robotic surgery in the UK, employing both da Vinci and Stryker Mako systems. The da Vinci system supports a minimally invasive surgical approach applicable to procedures involving the bladder, abdomen, and chest. The Stryker Mako system, on the other hand, is a surgical robotic arm designed to assist orthopaedic surgeons in performing hip and knee surgeries.
HCA currently operates eight da Vinci machines, whereas Nuffield has two. In contrast, Nuffield operates 13 Stryker Mako systems, while HCA operates five. This is evidenced by their respective highest procedures, with prostate removal being the most common for HCA and joint replacement for Nuffield.
Looking at the trajectory in the growth of this type of surgery so far, and knowing what is possible, we don’t see why there wouldn’t continue to be huge increases in the use of robotic assistants, especially as AI continues to develop and offer even greater scope for surgery.
Although they are expensive, private hospitals in particular, often have the budgets to purchase robotic systems and ensure that as many patients as possible are treated as soon as possible.
