The NHS has achieved another remarkable milestone in medical innovation, fitting the first patient in the UK with the world’s most advanced bionic limb — a move that signals a new era of accessibility and independence for workers affected by life-changing injuries.
Ashley Herbert, a 35-year-old farm worker from Carlisle, Cumbria, lost his right hand in a horrific farm accident over a decade ago when it became caught in a forage harvester. Airlifted to hospital for emergency surgery, Ashley survived but was left facing years of frustration as he struggled with prosthetics that were either too heavy or too uncomfortable to use effectively.
Now, thanks to the NHS and Bristol-based technology pioneers Open Bionics, Ashley has been fitted with the Hero PRO bionic limb — a multi-grip, high-function prosthesis that offers cutting-edge dexterity, speed, and comfort. Described as the most advanced bionic arm ever developed, the Hero PRO represents a leap forward not only in prosthetic engineering but also in the way the NHS delivers life-enhancing technology to workers whose livelihoods depend on their hands.
Ashley said the difference was immediate:
“As soon as I tried it, I knew this was perfect. The grip is so much stronger. I can pick up everything from a ping pong ball to a piece of paper on a table, to pushing a supermarket trolley. I can enjoy a pint down the pub with friends, and I can use my spanner and tools on the farm with confidence.”
For a man whose work and passion are rooted in the physicality of farming, the ability to return to daily life without restriction is transformative. The Hero PRO features wireless connectivity, waterproofing, enhanced wrist rotation, and improved flexion, allowing users to perform a full range of everyday and professional tasks. The device’s lightweight socket system also improves comfort and cooling, making it practical for long-term wear.
Ashley’s story highlights how technological innovation in healthcare can profoundly impact the working lives of people across the UK. His new bionic arm not only allows him to manage his duties on the farm but also helps him reconnect socially and recreationally. He can even swap attachments to fit his active lifestyle, including cycling — one of his great passions.
“I’ve spent 11 years waiting for the right prosthesis,” Ashley said. “It was worth the wait. My friends and family think it’s incredible. I’ll soon be able to fit a cycling attachment and test how far I can push myself — I’ve done 600 kilometres in a day and a half before, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.”
Samantha Payne, co-founder of Open Bionics, explained that the success of this development lies not just in technology, but in the NHS’s forward-thinking approach:
“When clinicians and patients evaluate comfort, function, durability, and access together, outcomes improve and lives change. Ashley’s story shows how evidence-based procurement can deliver cutting-edge prosthetics to the people who need them most, on the pathways that already serve them.”
The Hero PRO project stands as a shining example of how public healthcare and British innovation can combine to deliver life-changing results. It reinforces the NHS’s commitment to investing in progressive technology that enables UK workers to live and work with dignity, independence, and confidence — no matter the obstacles they face.
For workers like Ashley Herbert, this technology doesn’t just represent medical progress — it restores hope, freedom, and the ability to take part in everyday life without limitation. His experience serves as a powerful reminder of the potential of innovation when directed toward improving lives, and of the NHS’s enduring role as a global leader in healthcare advancement.
As UK workplaces continue to evolve, and with emerging medical technologies offering new opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration, The Workers Union will continue to advocate for fair access to life-enhancing solutions that help individuals rebuild their working lives.
In the words of Ashley himself:
“It’s given me my life back — and I’m only just getting started.”
