These extraordinary robotic arms have recently been used in real life surgical procedures in Southmead Hospital, perhaps the most dramatic advance in medical technology for a generation. This new and exciting model is designed to shorten waiting times for patients and improve surgical results for NHS patients from all over. Each of these robotic arms is “incredibly dextrous and accurate.” They are one of several threads of a broader initiative to make half a million procedures possible over the next 10 years.
The robotic arms are already entering use within Southmead Hospital’s operating theatre. In order to keep the cells sterile, they are all covered with plastic sheeting. Consultant colorectal surgeon Caroline Burt operates these advanced tools during surgeries, which include complex procedures such as hysterectomies and bladder surgery. That integration of technology is considered “way technology” to be a “huge part” of the NHS’s plan to cut waiting times by the NHS by 2029.
And now with the robotic arms, Burt has seen a huge increase in her capacity to do detailed, delicate work. She stated, “It’s 100% the surgeon doing the operation. Nothing moves without the main surgeon moving and dissecting, so there’s no automatic movements in it at all.” This claim goes to show the very important fact that a surgeon’s skill and judgment is absolutely essential. The robot arms just help them do their job better.
The adoption of robotic-assisted surgeries could be the answer to NHS England’s ambition to make the NHS more efficient and provide improved care for patients. The technology is being adopted throughout the NHS in order to increase the available procedures at a much faster rate. Like their infotainment counterparts, their aim is just to improve user experience and reduce time to recovery. Sir Jim Mackey, a prominent figure within the NHS, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, “Not only does it speed up the number of procedures the NHS can do, but it means better outcomes, a faster recovery and shorter hospital stays for patients.”
Lisa Brittain, above, was one of the first patients to benefit from this different surgical direction. She jokingly teased that she had pictures of R2-D2 prior to her surgery. Her experience underscores the humanity behind the technological advancements entering the workforce—advancements made possible, in part, by appropriations passed by Congress.
Southmead Hospital is a health technology testbed and is eager to adopt pioneering technology. The incorporation of robotic arms opens up new opportunities for the NHS surgical practices and a more promising future. This technology directly addresses the increasing demand for healthcare services. In addition, it’s built around truly improving patient experiences and outcomes.