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    Transforming patient care through the lens of technology

     

    Supporting the NHS digital and robotic surgery ambition 

     

    Over the next decade, the UK government aims to revolutionise the NHS’s approach  to surgery by significantly increasing the use of robotic-assisted procedures – targeting half a million operations annually by 2035, up from just 70,000 today.1 This  bold ambition is part of a wider digital transformation strategy to reduce waiting  times, improve efficiency, and future-proof the NHS. 

    We spoke to Harpinder Chana, Technology Director, Johnson & Johnson MedTech  UK & Ireland, about how DePuy Synthes, the Global Orthopaedics Company of  Johnson & Johnson,* is approaching this opportunity to advance patient care.

    1. Why is digital transformation – including robotic-assisted surgery – a  strategic priority for the NHS? 

    Digital and Robotic-Assisted (RA) surgery aligns closely with the NHS’s overarching  goal to deliver safer, more effective care through technological innovation.1 The  NHS’s 10-year plan emphasises a crucial shift from traditional methods to advanced  digital solutions like AI, robotics, and integrated data platforms.2 These technologies  can offer significant benefits – including faster recovery times, shorter hospital stays,  and reduced resource use – all of which are vital in addressing the high waiting lists  and workforce pressures.3 

    Robotic systems are part of a wider movement conditionally recommended by NICE  under Early Value Assessment (EVA),4 and NHS Shared Business Services5, which  recognise these technologies as transformative tools for improving surgical precision  and reshaping care delivery across the NHS.

    One example of this innovation in action from DePuy Synthes is the VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution (VRAS). Designed to support surgical planning; early  evidence suggests improved alignment accuracy vs conventional tools.6 It reflects  how digital tools can directly improve clinical outcomes while supporting the NHS’s  broader ambitions for efficiency and resilience.

    2. What is the current state of robotic surgery implementation within the NHS,  and how is your team supporting this transition? 

    Currently, robotic surgery is used in approximately 70,000 procedures annually  across NHS trusts, with plans to scale up to 500,000 procedures by 2035.1 This  aligns with the NHS’s broader digital transformation strategy, which includes the  development of a Single Patient Record and the NHS app as a digital gateway.7 

    We support this evolution in orthopaedics through collaborations with digitally mature  NHS Trusts and private hospitals treating NHS patients to pilot scalable models with  our robotic offering, underpinned by innovative products built around outcomes. This  can be coupled with process improvement pathway and productivity programs.  

    Within Technology, my team partners with non-clinical hospital stakeholders to  ensure compliance with hospital assurances and local regulations on data protection,  technical security, and digital governance.  

    The clinical impact of robotic-assisted surgery is becoming increasingly recognised  across NHS settings – particularly through platforms like VELYS™. In practice, VRAS  is enabling orthopaedic surgeons to personalise procedures and harness  intraoperative data to guide decision-making.8 As Mr Graham Walsh, Consultant  Orthopaedic Surgeon in Huddersfield, explains: 

    “VRAS has fundamentally changed my approach to surgery. Instead of  adapting the patient to fit the implant, I can now personalise the procedure – fitting the implant to the patient. This shift is transformative and has the  potential to significantly improve outcomes.” 

    “But the real revolution in surgical practice won’t just come from the technique  – it will come from the data. Robotics generates a wealth of information that  will become the mentor of the future, guiding us toward the best possible  outcomes. This data will empower true shared decision-making and help us  set realistic expectations for our patients, ultimately enhancing both care and  confidence.”

    3. What are the main challenges in scaling digital and robotic solutions across  NHS hospitals, and how is your team addressing them? 

    At a recent meeting of hospital Chief Information Officers (CIOs) – facilitated by  CIONET and sponsored by Johnson & Johnson – we looked to explore exactly this  topic, so we can ‘sit in the shoes’ of NHS CIOs, understand their challenges and  identify opportunities for collaboration. What we found was that:

    • Legacy Information Technology (IT) systems lack the necessary high-speed data  infrastructure required for real-time robotic systems.9
    • Financial constraints and traditional procurement models pose barriers to rapid  scaling.9
    • Data governance, Data Protection and GDPR compliance are additional  concerns that need careful navigation.9

    To overcome these challenges, early engagement with non-clinical stakeholders – such as procurement, IT, and finance – is essential.9 

    Ultimately, our biggest challenge is orchestration: aligning clinical ambition with  operational realities by sequencing the right steps and ensuring every step aligns  with governance standards and operational readiness.  

    My team focuses on building a repeatable delivery framework: standardised  assurances, clear digital and security baselines, and structured engagement plans  for technology counterparts. This approach helps us turn promising pilots into  scalable, sustainable services that deliver measurable value for patients and the  health system.  

    This orchestration is critical – and often more complex than it first appears, as Mr  Andy Phillipson, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon in Liverpool, shares: 

    “Clinically, I was very enthusiastic and fully behind bringing VELYS™ into our  hospital. There were a number of hurdles to overcome, including IT and  Information Governance (IG). This was an entirely new language to me, but  when I connected our IT and IG teams with Harpinder Chana at J&J  MedTech; they spoke it fluently, and those obstacles disappeared – we got our  robot. That collaboration made all the difference.”

    4. What role does industry play in enabling the NHS’s long-term ambitions for  digital and robotic innovation? 

    We’re committed to helping the NHS realise its vision for robotic-assisted surgery  through a multi-faceted approach. 

    Innovations like the VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution are redefining  orthopaedic procedures – combining surgical precision with real-time data insights to  support confident clinical decisions and more personalised care.8 These capabilities  align closely with NHS goals to improve outcomes, reduce variation, and optimise  resource use. 

    Beyond technology, we champion open digital ecosystems and data-driven solutions  that foster greater connectivity and operational insight.10 Our global education and  training programmes can also play a vital role in upskilling surgical teams and  building confidence with robotic platforms.

    Together, these efforts can form a holistic strategy to overcome clinical and  operational barriers – helping to ensure robotic surgery can become a sustainable  and integral part of NHS care pathways. 

    Footnote 

    *Johnson & Johnson announces intent to separate its Orthopaedics business and operate  as DePuy Synthes. Link to press release

    References 

    1 NHS England (2025) Millions to benefit from NHS robot drive. [online] Available  at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/2025/06/millions-to-benefit-from-nhs-robot-drive/ (Accessed:  8 October 2025). 

    2 GOV.UK (2025) Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England. [online] Available  at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/10-year-health-plan-for-england-fit-for-the future (Accessed: 8 October 2025). 

    3 NHS England (2025) Implementing a co-ordinated approach to robotic-assisted surgery.  [online] Available at: https://gettingitrightfirsttime.co.uk/implementing-a-co-ordinated approach-to-robotic-assisted-surgery/ (Accessed: 8 October 2025). 

    4 NICE (2025) Robot-assisted surgery for orthopaedic procedures: early value assessment.  [online] Available at https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/HTE22 (Accessed: 8 October 2025). 5 NHS Shared Business Services (2025) Surgical Robots: Revolutionising Healthcare in  the NHS. [online] Available at: https://www.sbs.nhs.uk/news/surgical-robots-revolutionising healthcare-in-the-nhs/ (Accessed: 8 October 2025). 

    6 Alton, T.B., Severson, E.P., Ford, M.C., Leslie, I.J. and Lesko, J., (2024) VELYS robotic assisted total knee arthroplasty: Enhanced accuracy and comparable early outcomes versus  manual instrumentation during adoption. Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics, [online]  Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/jeo2.70163 (Accessed: 8 October 2025). 7 NHS England (2025) The Single Patient Record. [online] Available  at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/digitaltechnology/the-single-patient-record/ (Accessed: 8  October 2025). 

    8 Clatworthy, M. (2022) Patient-Specific TKA with the VELYS Robotic-Assisted  Solution, Surgical Technology International, 40. [online] Available at: https://doi.org/10.52198/35325451 (Accessed: 8 October 2025). 

    9 CIONET (2025) JNJ The Role of Digital and Robotics in the Future of Surgery. [online]  Available at: https://4295993.fs1.hubspotusercontentna1.net/hubfs/4295993/_temp/Publication_Repository/JNJ%20The%20Role%20of%20Digital%20and%20Robotics%20in%20the%20Future%20of%20Surgery%20(2).pdf (Accessed: 8  October 2025). 

    10 Johnson & Johnson (2025) Johnson & Johnson MedTech Announces the Polyphonic™ Digital Ecosystem for a More Connected Surgical Experience. [online] Available at:  https://www.jnjmedtech.com/en-US/news-events/johnson-johnson-medtech-announces polyphonic-digital-ecosystem-more-connected (Accessed: 10 October 2025). 

    This content is intended for audiences of the UK & Ireland only. The views expressed by the healthcare professionals quoted in this article are their own and  do not necessarily reflect those of Johnson & Johnson MedTech. The contributors were not  compensated for their participation. Please refer always to the Instructions for Use / Package Insert that come with the device for  the most current and complete instructions. The third-party trademarks used herein are the trademarks of their respective owners. © Johnson & Johnson Medical Limited 2025. All rights reserved.