Clinical milestone · The Harborne Hospital
Aquablation at The Harborne Hospital: a Birmingham milestone
The Harborne Hospital has marked one year since becoming the first hospital in Birmingham to introduce Aquablation therapy, establishing a local service for men being assessed for benign prostate enlargement.
The service was launched with PROCEPT BioRobotics, bringing robotic-assisted waterjet treatment to Birmingham. The photograph shows consultant urological surgeon Mr Syed Ali Shahzad with members of the theatre team who support patients through the hospital pathway.
A year of building the Birmingham service
Introducing a new surgical service involves far more than installing technology. It brings together consultant assessment, theatre preparation, anaesthetic care, specialist nursing, equipment support and structured follow-up. The anniversary recognises the multidisciplinary team behind that work at The Harborne Hospital.
Birmingham first
The Harborne Hospital was the first hospital in Birmingham to offer the Aquablation service.
Consultant-led care
Mr Syed Ali Shahzad assesses patients and discusses Aquablation in the context of the other appropriate prostate treatments.
Hospital pathway
The service is supported by the theatre, anaesthetic and nursing teams at The Harborne Hospital.
Local access at The Harborne Hospital
The hospital is in Edgbaston, Birmingham, providing a local option for patients from Birmingham and the wider West Midlands who are seeking specialist assessment for bothersome urinary symptoms or an enlarged prostate.
A consultation is the starting point. The aim is to establish why symptoms are occurring, review any previous tests or medication, and decide whether further investigation is needed. Aquablation may then be discussed where clinically appropriate; it is not assumed to be the right treatment simply because the service is available.
What Aquablation means in this milestone story
Aquablation uses image-guided robotic planning and a controlled waterjet to remove selected obstructing prostate tissue. This brief explanation provides context for the anniversary; detailed information about suitability, benefits, risks, alternatives and recovery is kept on our dedicated treatment page.
Visit the main Aquablation treatment guide for comprehensive information. This article is focused specifically on the Birmingham service milestone at The Harborne Hospital.
Recognising the team behind the service
The first anniversary is an opportunity to recognise the people who make a specialist surgical pathway possible. Consultant expertise is supported by theatre practitioners, nurses, anaesthetists, hospital staff and the technology team. Their coordinated work helps patients move from assessment through treatment and follow-up with clear points of contact.
For Mr Shahzad, the milestone also reflects the continued development of minimally invasive and robotic-assisted urology services available to patients in Birmingham. Treatment recommendations remain individual and are made after assessment and a balanced discussion of all reasonable options.
Finding the right information
If you are researching Aquablation itself, the main Aquablation treatment page covers the procedure, suitability, recovery and frequently asked questions. You can also view the wider range of prostate treatments offered by Birmingham Advanced Urology.
Appointments are available with Mr Syed Ali Shahzad. A consultation can clarify the cause of urinary symptoms and the treatment choices relevant to you.