First patients treated using groundbreaking surgical robot at Hampshire Hospitals
The new da Vinci 5 surgical system is now in place at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital.
Last updated 24th Nov 2025
The first patients in the UK have been treated using a new robotic-assisted surgical system at Hampshire hospitals.
The da Vinci 5 is now in place at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital.
The system will be used for a variety of surgical specialties, including gynaecology and abdominal or general surgery.
It brings significant technological advances to help surgeons and care teams improve patient outcomes, as well as offering surgeons an improved experience of surgery including better visualisation and transformative ergonomics.
Merv Rees, Clinical Director and senior surgeon with Hampshire Hospitals, said; “The da Vinci 5 surgical system really is the most amazing thing to happen in surgery. With over 150 design enhancements and 10,000 times more computing power than before, our surgeons will be able to use this advanced system to operate more efficiently and help provide better outcomes for patients through less invasive procedures, fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, quicker recovery and reduced re-admissions.
“Robotic-assisted surgery is advancing all the time, and I’m excited for my colleagues and our patients that we’re now able to bring this technology to Hampshire Hospitals thanks to charitable funding.”
The purchase of this high specification surgical system has been made possible thanks to a multi-million pound charitable appeal by Hampshire Hospitals Charity in collaboration with Hampshire Medical Fund.
Mark Hainy, Head of Charity at Hampshire Hospitals Charity, said; “We’re delighted that we’ve been able to help bring in the funds to provide Hampshire Hospitals with its first surgical robot. Our ethos is to raise charitable income to fund projects that make the experience of visiting our hospitals the best it can, and we’re proud to be bringing this important piece of surgical technology to Basingstoke to benefit our patients. The team has worked incredibly hard to raise the funds needed to supply this system and the associated kit that comes with it, ensuring our patients receive the best service when they need surgery.”
Daniel Benton, Chairman of the Hampshire Medical Fund said: “HMF exists to raise funds for cutting-edge equipment for our local hospitals. We couldn’t wish for a better example of what we do than helping to bring the da Vinci 5 surgical system to Basingstoke. One of the robot’s greatest strengths is that it can be used for both cancer and benign procedures across multiple specialities – including ENT, general surgery, urology, gynaecology, and more. We are delighted that so many people with different conditions will benefit from this technology.”