Press coverage & public recognition of Mr Siong-Seng Liau
In safe hands: Mr Liau’s surgical expertise meets robotic precision
Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust
Cambridge Network
Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust
Cambridge Network
Cambridge Radio-ACT’s Amazing People Interview
Record-breaking robotic surgery at Addenbrooke’s
In April 2025, Mr Liau led a pioneering double robotic surgery—the first of its kind at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. This complex procedure involved the simultaneous removal of both a bowel and liver tumour using minimally invasive techniques. Patient Philip Greene described the experience as “blown away by how fast it was all over,” emphasizing the swift recovery and minimal discomfort associated with robotic surgery.
“This is the first time we have done this kind of double robotic surgery procedure, which is extremely rare elsewhere in the country, and we are delighted it was such a success.”
— Mr Siong Seng Liau, Chair of the Robotic Surgery Steering Group at Addenbrooke’s Hospital
‘Super Sunday’ sets new surgical record
In January 2025, Mr Liau spearheaded a ‘Super Sunday’ event at Addenbrooke’s, performing a record ten robotic gallbladder surgeries in a single day. All patients were discharged the same day, thanks to the precision and efficiency of robotic-assisted keyhole surgery.
“Robotic surgery has revolutionised patient care, providing better precision and accuracy. It is less invasive, allowing patients to recover more quickly and to have a shorter stay in hospital.”
— Mr Siong Seng Liau, Chair of the Robotic Surgery Steering Group at Addenbrooke’s Hospital
Celebrating 500 robotic surgeries
Featured on ITV News
Mr Liau was featured on ITV News discussing advances in minimally invasive surgery and how robotic technology is transforming patient care. His interview highlighted the benefits of faster recovery, reduced pain, and improved surgical precision.
“Robotic surgery represents a significant leap forward in how we treat complex abdominal conditions. It enables us to perform delicate operations with greater accuracy, ultimately benefiting patients with quicker recoveries and better outcomes.”
— Mr Siong Seng Liau, Consultant HPB Surgeon
Read more about the feature on ITV news
These features underscore Mr Liau’s commitment to advancing surgical practices and improving patient outcomes through innovation and compassionate care.
Pioneering Double Robotic Surgery at Addenbrooke’s Hospital
In April 2025, Mr Siong Seng Liau successfully performed a groundbreaking double robotic surgery at Addenbrooke’s Hospital — the first procedure of its kind at this centre.
This complex operation involved the simultaneous removal of both a bowel tumour and a liver tumour using state-of-the-art robotic surgical technology. The dual approach allowed the entire procedure to be completed through minimally invasive keyhole incisions, reducing trauma to the patient’s body.
What Makes This Surgery Unique?
- First of its Kind at Addenbrooke’s: This double robotic procedure is extremely rare in the UK, demonstrating the hospital’s and Mr Liau’s leading role in surgical innovation.
- Minimally Invasive Precision: The robotic system provides enhanced dexterity and visualization, enabling highly precise removal of tumours with minimal impact on surrounding healthy tissue.
- Faster Recovery: Thanks to smaller incisions and less surgical trauma, patients benefit from significantly reduced pain and quicker return to daily activities compared to traditional open surgery.
- Multidisciplinary Expertise: This complex surgery requires close collaboration between specialist surgeons, anaesthetists, and nursing teams, all committed to achieving the best patient outcomes.
Patient Experience
The patient, Philip Greene, described the procedure and recovery as remarkable:
“I was blown away by how fast it was all over. The team at Addenbrooke’s made me feel completely supported throughout. The recovery was quicker than I ever expected.”
Advancing Surgical Care
Mr Liau leads the Robotic Surgery Steering Group at Addenbrooke’s, driving innovation to bring cutting-edge surgical techniques to more patients. This successful double robotic surgery sets a new benchmark for what can be achieved through minimally invasive approaches, offering hope to patients facing complex multi-site tumours.
Robotic surgery initiatives and innovation
Mr Liau has led the development of high-intensity robotic surgery sessions at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, known as ‘Super Sunday’ operating lists. Initiated in January 2025, this programme was designed to help reduce surgical waiting lists within the NHS by increasing capacity for routine operations. It has been featured in ITV News, BBC, and local media coverage:
ITV News Anglia (with patient interview)
BBC Look East (Evening News, 27/01/2025): [BBC iPlayer – Look East]
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: (Headlines, 27 Jan 2025)
CUH Trust News
Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT)
Cambridge Independent
Suffolk News
Cambridge Network
Royston News
In April 2025, Mr Liau was part of the surgical team that carried out a robotic-assisted double-organ resectional surgery (though done previously elsewhere, this was the first for Addenbrooke’s Hospital). This procedure demonstrated the feasibility of applying robotic platforms to more complex, combined surgeries. The case has been covered extensively:
CUH News
Suffolk News
Hits Radio Suffolk
Royston Crow
Cambs News
Cambridge Network
Wisbech Standard
Hunts Post
East Anglian Daily Times
Cambridge Independent
Since 2020, Mr Liau has co-led the establishment of a multi-specialty robotic surgery programme at Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH). In the absence of initial NHS capital funding, he helped lead a successful £1.5 million fundraising campaign through Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust to acquire a new robotic system and support the expansion of robotic services across six specialities, including wide community engagement, public appeals and patient mailings.
As of July 2024, over 500 patients have been treated using the newly acquired robotic system. Several patients have publicly shared their experiences, expressing appreciation for the timely and minimally invasive care received. These acknowledgements have featured in media interviews and charitable communications, reflecting the broader impact of the service on patient outcomes and satisfaction.
CUH Trust (2024)
ACT
Cambridge Network
Cambridge News (via PressReader)
Media and public recognition
ITV News July 2024
ITV News Anglia
Suffolk News
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: Interview on Chris Mann’s Show (10 July 2024)
His contributions have also received literary recognition. Notably, his clinical work is acknowledged in the 2021 novel Lily by Rose Tremain, and discussed in interviews with Penguin Books and The Telegraph, where the author reflects on her medical experiences and the professionals who inspired aspects of the story.
Penguin Books
The Telegraph
Lily’s powerful closing scene is followed by the book’s real-life dedication to Mr Siong-Seng Liau, the Consultant Surgeon who Tremain credits with saving her life in 2019, when she was seriously ill with pancreatic cancer. It is a heartfelt, humbling end-note.
TRUSTED EXPERT SURGICAL CARE, DELIVERED QUICKLY AND RELIABLY
Start your journey with us today
STEP 1
Contact us
Use the online contact form or call Mr Liau’s secretary to arrange an in-person or virtual consultation at a time that suits you.
STEP 2
Consultation
STEP 3
Surgery & follow-up
If surgery is recommended, most procedures are done as keyhole (laparoscopic) cholecystectomy. Recovery is usually quick, with most patients going home the same day or after one night. Follow-up care is arranged to support your recovery.
Patient testimonials
I have been impressed by Mr Liau and his team from the start to finish of my care. He is a kind, understanding and exceptional surgeon with a fantastic team of doctors, nurses and health care assistants to support him. My case was unusual and the surgery more complicated than planned. He showed great levels of empathy and was apologetic for having to convert my surgery from key-hole to open, even though this was the best option for me and the scars I have following are all neat and have healed exceptionally well. Mr Liau prioritised regular open communication, via telephone calls beforehand to ensure I fully understood what he was going to do, why it was necessary and how my recovery would proceed. He was always honest with the risks for the procedure and communicated exceptionally with both me as a patient and my family, especially directly after the procedure when they were understandably distressed. His thoughtfulness did not stop there; despite Mr Liau being one of the top surgeons in the HPB team, he would often visit me in person on the ward and personally check up on me after the surgery both in clinic and over the telephone. He never rushed me and always answered any questions I had taking the time to explain them in depth. Mr Liau is the best doctor that I have ever had treat me, the service his team provided has been thorough and professional throughout. I genuinely believe that they could not do any more to improve the quality and excellence of care that I received and I am incredibly grateful to have had them treat me. Thank you so much HPB team.
- NHS patient at Addenbrooke's Hospital
From the first time I met Mr Liau, on Nov 5th 2020 I could see that he was caring and thorough. I arrived in the clinic on my own but he did not go on with the consultation until my husband joined us, so that he could be fully aware of all aspects of the situation. This meant explaining my condition as it had been found, and having all possible responses explained. I could see that after several tests and discussions a decision had been jointly arrived at that I would be a suitable patient to have surgery, namely Whipple’s procedure. After time for consideration and opportunity to clarify and ask questions, I came to see that I had an offer that not all patients have, that delaying may mean changes in practice due to Covid, and that this is a major operation. I agreed to contact the nurse in a few days, having given myself time to make my decision. I felt under no pressure. Following my discussion with Mr Liau and the HPB nurse I had a most helpful and enlightening conversation with the dietician. After making the decision to go ahead with surgery I continued to have support from the HPB nurse who had been at the initial interview, the dietician and others. The next time I met Mr Liau was when I arrived at the door of the theatre was I was greeted by himself and some of the team. We spoke briefly, and I felt respected. Following surgery I was aware of great support by lots of members of the team, reminding me that I had had a big operation and keep trying to follow advice and do my best to allow my health to improve. I was amazed at the care of the Doctors, taking time, listening, understanding and encouraging even on days when I felt less positive. I felt dieticians showed particular understanding. and also Occupational therapists. Mr Liau came to see me on the ward after nearly 2 weeks, and was very clear in saying again how major my surgery had been, and that I needed to continue to try to keep walking and eating well to make good progress. The last time I spoke to Mr Liau I had been able to speak to the dietician again for further support and advice, which has proved helpful. In this phone consultation Mr Liau was able to speak about the experience thus far, referring to the surgery, what had been found, my recovery, and anticipated next step. And again I was able to ask for clarification, and ask questions. The most surprising thing for me was to realise that I was one of the last operations to take place before Covid changed things. I am most very grateful for the opportunity Mr Liau gave me, the qualities he could see in me to be a suitable patient, and his skills and expertise as a surgeon, dealing with a situation that was unexpected. I was also aware of the respect that he had from other members of the team. The characteristic that probably most surprised me was the way he respected me, when I thanked him for his encouragement and support, he has always changed it to helping me to see the efforts I have had to make to get through accepting the surgery, and coping with the recovery. Really affirming for me, and showing great care and concern for a patient.
- Written by a NHS patient at Addenbrooke's Hospital
My experience has been nothing but brilliant. Mr Liau gave us the utmost confidence right from our first meeting. He was totally honest with us regarding my condition, the seriousness of the proposed procedure (Whipples) and the risks and rewards of this solution. All the facts were clearly explained to me and my wife and although we left the meeting with significant concerns we felt that we now understood the majority of issues and the solutions.
I believed after meeting Mr Liau that he was the right person to perform my major surgery and I had no hesitation in trusting Mr Liau with my future.
- Written by a NHS patient at Addenbrooke's Hospital
I found Mr Liau very professional, friendly and easy to talk to. When we first met to discuss what the next steps were for me, he talked me through everything I needed to know about the operation, what my options were and gave me a chance to ask all my questions in order to make an informed decision. Mr Liau was very positive and supportive about the operation and my progress throughout my care under his team. He and his team kept in contact with me and made me feel my health and well-being was important to him.
I’d like to thank Mr Liau and his team for everything they have done for me and for how quickly my operation and care was arranged.
I feel I’ve had a very good result and am very grateful, Thank you.