Professor John Kelly is the Clinical lead for Urology and Robotic surgery at UCLH and Chair of Uro-Oncology at UCL.  UCLH is the largest centre for robotic pelvic urology surgery in the UK and John is internationally renowned for his pioneering work in bladder cancer. He has performed radical cystectomy for the past 20 years and has a vast experience in robotic and open cystectomy.  

John has been instrumental in developing robotic techniques for cystectomy and bladder reconstruction and has published extensively describing surgical techniques and processes to improve recovery following the surgery. 

John delivers seminars and workshops, both national and international, on cystectomy and is a member of European and Global committees seeking to improve patient care.  He is conducting the largest trial in robotic surgery in the UK and he has initiated a programme aimed at improving safety for patients during recovery at home. 

John's practice is patient centred with a holistic approach he cares for patients with bladder cancer at all stages and works with a team to provide counselling and support in decision making.

John is heavily involved in cancer research. He leads the Kelly:Feber Lab - one of the UK’s leading research groups discovering new ways to detect, diagnose and treat bladder cancer. The lab is based at UCL and has received funding from Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and the Medical Research Council (MRC). Their work aims to improve cancer detection and diagnosis which will allow doctors to better select the right treatments and improve outcomes for patients.

John Kelly performs robotic cystectomy for bladder cancer.  He performs robotic neo-bladder and ileal conduit.  Not all patients are suitable for robotic neo-bladder and approximately 30% of John’s patients select this option.  This compares to the UK national average of 7% across all centres. 

John's patients, along with their partners and carers are encouraged to speak to past patients when deciding which option is best for them and, it is usually possible to match new patients with a past patient of similar age and gender.  John has robotic expertise in functional restoration for example nerve spare, intra-fascial and prostate sparing cystectomy in males and vaginal sparing surgery in females. 

A major focus is post-operative care for patients and the minimising complications of surgery. John has published on enhanced recovery for cystectomy and outcomes including the survival from cancer and the recovery for patients following surgery are published in detail.  

• Clinical Lead for Urology and Robotic Surgery
  University College London Hospital