Hugo will see you shortly: New surgery robot arrives at Whittington Hospital
07 Apr 2026
The future of surgery arrived at Whittington Hospital this week as we took delivery of Hugo, an advanced surgical robot.
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Whittington Hospital has taken delivery of an innovative new robot that will assist the hospital’s human surgeons to provide even more precise surgery with less pain, a shorter stay in hospital and faster recover time. This will allow for more procedures to be carried out as day cases which is both better for patients and more efficient.
The trust has been able to purchase the advanced Hugo Robotic Assisted Surgery system thanks to funding from West and North London Integrated Care Board.
Robotic assisted surgery uses a set of slim, jointed arms that the surgeon controls from a nearby console. The surgeon sits at a screen with a clear, 3D view inside the body. Every hand movement is translated into small, precise actions by the robotic arms. These arms hold tiny surgical tools and move with a steady, controlled range that provides more dexterity than the human wrist. The surgeon stays in full control at all times, using the system to carry out delicate and possibly more complex work through very small cuts.
The robot was carefully delivered by lorry ready to be assembled in the hospital’s main theatres. The first patients are expected to benefit from the assistance of Hugo later in the Spring, once the robot has been fully installed, tested and surgeons and other theatre staff have received full robust training.
Divisional Clinical Director for Whittington Health’s Surgery and Cancer Division and Consultant Bariatric Surgeon, Professor Chetan Parmar said: “This is a real step forward for Whittington Health’s patients, and it is great that we are bringing this advanced technology to Archway. It will mean safer, more precise procedures with faster recovery times and shorter stays in hospital for our patients which is better for them which will also make our services more efficient.”
Miss Rhonda Fleming, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Prof Parmar and his team expect to use the robot to provide bariatric, gynaecological, and some colorectal procedures, where robot assisted surgery is suitable and safe for the individual patient.
The trust’s theatre teams are excited to start working with their new colleague!