University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) is set to transform the landscape of surgical procedures in the UK. Royal Stoke University Hospital has a chance to make history! It will be the nation’s first facility to adopt game-changing robotic surgery technology that allows surgeons to feel tissue resistance in real-time. This holistic approach improves the precision, safety and efficacy of surgical procedures.
Over the next 10 years, UHNM hopes to complete 90% of all major keyhole surgeries with robotic assistance. This programme will further position Royal Stoke as a center of excellence for robotic surgery. Through its commitment to advanced technology, the hospital has undergone a revolutionary transformation in the way surgery is performed. Today, robotic assistance has become the norm for most procedures.
Philip Varghese, a consultant colorectal surgeon at UHNM, backs the initiative, insisting it will make a difference for complex operations. He stated,
“This expansion significantly strengthens our ability to deliver robotic surgery across a wider range of complex procedures.”
Royal Stoke has been a leader in adopting cutting-edge technology. It was the first NHS hospital in England to adopt the “Magic Leap” extended reality surgical system. Surgeons are able to look at highly detailed 3D images of a patient’s spine using virtual reality goggles. It is a powerful asset that improves their visualization when operating.
The NHS has further committed to enabling robotic surgery for half a million operations each year by 2035. Even in this current year, 2023-24, robotic surgery has already underpinned 70,000 procedures per year nationally across England. Additional efficiency through technology This technology alone is expected to save about 3,000 bed days per year. We hope to increase it to at least 5,000 per year in the coming years.
The advantages of robotic surgery at Royal Stoke are huge. This advanced surgical care will benefit more than 1,000 patients every year. This is particularly the case for high-rarity, high-variability, complex operations such as emergency and cardiac surgery. The precision provided by robotic technology is predicted to improve quality of care and patient outcomes.
Coates, the spokesperson for UHNM, doubled down on the recognition for this initiative, saying __
“Supporting projects that make a lasting difference to local communities remains a core focus of the foundation.”
Royal Stoke is taking major steps to lead the way in robotic surgery. We’re sure that its innovative approach will make it a shining example to hospitals across the length and breadth of the UK. The successful adoption of this technology now gives doctors superhuman capabilities while drastically improving patient care and recovery times.
“This investment will allow more patients across the region to benefit from world-leading surgical care closer to home.”
As Royal Stoke progresses towards becoming a leader in robotic surgery, its trailblazing approach is expected to set a precedent for other hospitals across the UK. The integration of this technology not only enhances surgical capabilities but also significantly improves patient care and recovery times.