Nuffield Health expands Aquablation rollout with £2m investment

Nuffield Health has invested more than £2m in Aquablation therapy for patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), extending access to the robotically-assisted procedure across nine of its hospitals.

Aquablation is already available at sites in Oxford, Wimbledon, Cardiff, Guildford, Brighton, Warwick, Brentwood and Wolverhampton. Nuffield Health Woking Hospital is expected to begin offering the treatment before Christmas, making the charitable hospital group one of the largest users of the technology outside the US.

BPH affects up to 3 million men in the UK each year, with more than half of men aged 50-60 reporting symptoms. The condition can lead to difficulty passing urine, incomplete bladder emptying and increased urinary frequency, and in severe cases can cause retention and infection.

Aquablation therapy removes prostate tissue using heat-free water jets guided by robotic technology. Clinical studies show the procedure can relieve symptoms while reducing the risk of sexual side-effects associated with traditional treatments.

More than 350 patients have received Aquablation at Nuffield Health hospitals since its introduction in late 2024.

Jonathan Canham, business development director at Nuffield Health, said the expansion aimed to support men with BPH and ease pressure on NHS waiting lists.

‘With BPH impacting so many men, it’s imperative that we source and provide a solution for those impacted, but also to help reduce the burden on the NHS. Installing this therapy in our hospitals also reinforces our purpose of building a healthier nation,’ he said.

Neil Barber, consultant urological surgeon at Nuffield Health Woking Hospital, said: ‘Aquablation therapy represents a major step forward in treating BPH – an important health condition which unfortunately doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Using the precision of robotic technology means patients benefit from excellent relief from symptoms while preserving sexual function.’