The Da Vinci robot builds on the trust's robotics programme, which includes two Da Vinci robots at Charing Cross Hospital, its Robotic Centre of Excellence for Orthopaedics and leadership of national and European research trials in robotic techniques.

Professor Rajarshi Bhattacharya, divisional director for surgery and cancer, said: ‘Robotic-assisted surgery is transforming modern surgical practice, offering significant improvements in patient outcomes, operational flow, and workforce development.

‘This investment will help us build on our existing robotic surgery programme, ensuring that we can stay at the forefront of surgical innovation, research and training.

‘Thanks to everyone involved in developing this programme, which will make a real difference to our patients and create more opportunities for our staff.'

The trust's first patients were treated earlier this summer for robotic-assisted hysterectomy procedures.

Imperial College Healthcare expects to be able to provide almost 450 procedures each year across upper gastrointestinal, gynaecology, thoracic, and endocrine specialties.

The robot is funded through the trust's capital and revenue budgets, and as part of its  recently announced estates investment programme.