UHNM appoints first clinical leads for robotic surgery and research
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) has appointed its first clinical lead for robotics and clinical lead for robotic research.
Mr Philip Varghese, consultant colorectal surgeon, has been appointed clinical lead for robotics, while Mr Richard Laing, consultant hepatopancreatobiliary surgeon, has been appointed clinical lead for robotic research.
The two clinical leads will work with teams across UHNM to support the continued development of robotic surgery and research alongside patients and academic and industry partners.
The appointments come as UHNM looks to build on more than a decade of robotic surgery and explore how robotic technology could be used in more specialties to benefit patients across the region.
Mr Varghese joined UHNM in 2015 and established the Trust's robotic colorectal surgery programme. Since then more than 1,900 colorectal patients have benefited from robotic procedures with all 11 colorectal surgeons now trained to use the technology. Robotic surgery has become the preferred minimally invasive approach for suitable colorectal patients at UHNM.
Mr Laing joined UHNM in 2022 and has since performed around 150 robotic procedures. He has played an important role in the development of the Trust's robotic surgery strategy and brings a strong research background, having completed a PhD focused on liver transplantation and the application of novel technologies in healthcare.
Mr Varghese said: "UHNM has established itself as one of the UK's leading robotic surgery centres and is recognised for delivering high-quality, efficient, patient-centred and innovative robotic surgical care.
"Having successfully completed more than 12 years of robotic surgery within the organisation we are now looking at what comes next and how we scale these achievements further.
"Robotics is about much more than the use of advanced surgical systems in the operating theatre, there are opportunities across a wide range of specialties and my role is to help identify where robotics can deliver the greatest benefits for patients and support the strategic expansion of these technologies across the Trust."
Future opportunities could include the use of robotics in orthopaedics, spinal surgery, breast surgery, ENT, ophthalmology, head and neck surgery, gastrointestinal endoscopy and vascular services.
Mr Varghese added: "Training the next generation of surgeons is something we are passionate about and UHNM has launched the West Midlands Specialty Training and Accreditation of Residents in Robotic Surgery (WM-STARRS) programme.
"I am excited to take on this role and work with colleagues across UHNM to shape the next five to ten years of robotics and innovation for our patients."
As Clinical Lead for robotic research Mr Laing will work with clinical teams and research colleagues to develop and coordinate research activity alongside UHNM’s growing robotic surgery programme.
He said: "We are one of the highest-volume robotic surgery centres in the UK and as we continue to expand we want to ensure our research activity develops alongside our clinical work.
"There is a significant opportunity to generate evidence from the work we are already doing while also developing new studies and clinical trials."
In 2025, Mr Laing and his team carried out a record six robotic gallbladder operations in a single day as part of work to help reduce surgical waiting lists, with five of the six patients able to go home the same day.
UHNM introduced robotic surgery in 2014 through its urology service and has since grown into one of the UK's leading robotic surgery centres. More than 6,000 robotic procedures have been carried out at the Trust, with around 2,000 expected to take place each year as the programme continues to expand.
The Trust has also been chosen to host the West Midlands Robotic Surgery Community of Practice, helping bring together experts from across the region to share knowledge and develop new ways of using robotic technology for patients.
Dr Diane Adamson, chief medical officer said: "I am absolutely delighted that both Philip and Richard have been successful in their appointments.
"This is a very exciting time for surgery and for UHNM and their appointments reflect the commitment, dedication and hard work they have both consistently demonstrated.
"I look forward to seeing the impact they will have as we continue to develop robotic surgery and research across the Trust and, most importantly, for our patients."