Royal Stoke Hospital, part of the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM), is leading an exciting transformation. It aims to be the first facility in the whole of the UK equipped with universally ground-breaking technology that enables surgeons to feel tissue resistance live. This inventive new advance is sure to raise surgical precision and save patients more lives while conducting complicated surgeries.
Royal Stoke is leading the way by introducing this technology and improving its overall reputation. The hospital has plans to become a regional center of excellence for robotic surgery. The $9 million project will improve service for more than 1,000 patients annually. It will double the number of advanced, intricate, minimally invasive procedures—including emergency and heart surgeries—that can be done robotically.
Back in October 2023, Royal Stoke was making the news. It became the first hospital in England to adopt the revolutionary “Magic Leap” surgical system. This advanced system allows surgeons to visualize detailed 3D images of a patient’s spine through virtual reality goggles during operations. With these developments, Royal Stoke will be better able to deliver effective surgery and quality patient care.
Philip Varghese, consultant colorectal surgeon at UHNM, said he was “really excited” about the project.
“This expansion significantly strengthens our ability to deliver robotic surgery across a wider range of complex procedures.”
The NHS in England has equally ambitious plans for robotic surgery, with a target of supporting 500,000 operations per year by 2035. So far this fiscal year, nearly 70,000 surgeries have already been performed with robotic assistance. Further, the expansion of robotic surgery will save 4,877 bed days a year. It makes this possible by shortening the time required for recovery and increasing efficiencies in surgery.
In addition, just a decade from now, 90% of all keyhole surgeries will involve robotics-assisted technology. This is a huge advance for surgical practices. Robotic surgery is set up to become the default option for a large number of procedures going forward.
Royal Stoke is at the forefront of robotic surgery and its innovative developments. This progress tremendously extends and enriches the healthcare landscape for the interest of the West Midlands region of England’s local community.
“Supporting projects that make a lasting difference to local communities remains a core focus of the foundation.”
She further added,
“This investment will allow more patients across the region to benefit from world-leading surgical care closer to home.”
As Royal Stoke moves forward with these innovations, it not only strengthens its position in the field of robotic surgery but also contributes significantly to enhancing healthcare access and quality for the local community in the West Midlands region of England.