Royal Stoke University Hospital will become a national centre of excellence for robotic surgery. Plans are already on the drawing board to turn it into the United Kingdom’s largest center for operations of robotic technology. The University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) is gradually introducing new, cutting-edge robotic equipment. This new technology will enable the hospital to perform a wide range of complex procedures with increased precision and efficiency.
In the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) has estimated that by 2035, robotic surgery will assist around 500,000 procedures per year. The fiscal year 2023-24 is just that stage’s beginning, and it’s predicted that right now about 70,000 surgeries are assisted by robotic technology. This major expansion is expected to save an estimated 5,000 hospital bed days per year, alleviating strain on healthcare facilities.
Fast forward just 10 years, and you can anticipate that 90% of all such keyhole surgeries will employ robotic assistance. Now, robotic surgery will become the standard for more and more procedures. This transition is enriching the practice of surgical arts, improving technical surgical skills, and enhancing patient care experiences. Royal Stoke is now implementing the next set of robotic systems. Just this upgrade will serve more than 1,000 patients a year providing them with access to complex surgical care.
Royal Stoke’s state-of-the-art facilities feature the latest technology enabling surgeons to detect tissue resistance in real-time during procedures. This innovation enhances the surgeon’s ability to perform complex surgeries, such as emergency procedures and heart surgeries, with greater accuracy. Consultant colorectal surgeon and clinical director at urgent care services NHS Cheshire CCG Philip Varghese explained how significant this step was.
“This expansion significantly strengthens our ability to deliver robotic surgery across a wider range of complex procedures.” – Philip Varghese
In October, Royal Stoke marked an important milestone by pioneering the use of the “Magic Leap” surgical system. With this exciting recent development it is now the first hospital in England simultaneously using this innovative technology! Now with the “Magic Leap” system, surgeons can avail themselves of a detailed 3D holographic image of a patient’s spine. They use specially designed extra-large virtual reality goggles to improve precision during operations.
Deep running of this project directly supports UHNM’s ambitious goals. It’s a project that includes plans to make Royal Stoke the UK’s flagship center for robotic surgery. The hospital’s unique red and yellow skin and multi-storey form highlight the facility’s mission in furthering innovative, quality patient care.
Coates, a member of UHNM’s core team, emphasized the power of this kind of initiative for the local community.
“Supporting projects that make a lasting difference to local communities remains a core focus of the foundation.” – Coates
Coates further stated,
“This investment will allow more patients across the region to benefit from world-leading surgical care closer to home.” – Coates