Having been appointed as a Consultant Urological Surgeon to Frimley Park Hospital in 2005, Neil Barber is Clinical Lead for Urology at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust and Director of both the Frimley Renal Cancer Centre and the Frimley Benign Prostate Clinical Research Centre.
BPH and minimally invasive prostate treatments
Neil's particular subspecialist interest lies in managing urinary symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). He has been at the forefront of introducing minimally invasive treatment options to NHS England, including the Greenlight laser (2002), Urolift (2014), Aquablation of the prostate using the Aquabeam system (2019) and the iTIND procedure.
Neil's aim is to offer men with bothersome waterworks symptoms the full portfolio of treatment options, tailoring the best surgical approach to the patient's goals, the severity of their condition and the anatomy of their prostate. His approach encompasses TURP (TURiS), Greenlight laser prostatectomy (PVP), Urolift (including men with middle lobes), Rezum water vapour therapy, Aquablation and iTIND.
Key clinical firsts — BPH treatments
- First to introduce GreenLight laser prostatectomy to NHS England (2002)
- Pioneer of Urolift in the UK (2014)
- Led introduction of Aquablation (Aquabeam system) to NHS England (2019)
- NICE Clinical Advisor for minimally invasive BPH treatment guidelines
Robotic kidney surgery and renal cancer
Neil has developed a specialist team at the Frimley Renal Cancer Centre (FRCC) delivering surgical solutions for kidney disorders, primarily renal cancer but also conditions of the upper urinary tract including PUJ obstruction. He has been performing advanced robotic-assisted surgery in this field for over ten years.
The FRCC performs the highest number of robotic-assisted partial nephrectomies for renal tumours per year in the UK, year on year. Whilst building this service around the Da Vinci surgical platform, Neil led the introduction of Versius (CMR), a new British surgical robot — and as part of FRCC performed the very first robotic-assisted radical nephrectomy in Europe using this device in March 2020.
Robotic surgery achievements
- Highest volume robotic partial nephrectomy centre in the UK (FRCC)
- First robotic radical nephrectomy in Europe using Versius (CMR), March 2020
- 10+ years robotic-assisted surgery in complex renal cases
Research and clinical leadership
Neil has been involved in numerous national, European and global studies in urology and is recognised as a Key Opinion Leader and clinical advisor to both industry and NICE. His breadth of experience allows him to provide the full range of urological care, from prostate cancer diagnostics and urinary tract infections to prostatitis, peno-scrotal conditions, fertility, vasectomy and vasectomy reversal.
