Royal Stoke University Hospital has taken over the airwaves! As of October, it became the first hospital in England to start using the new “Magic Leap” surgical system. This groundbreaking technology gives surgeons a clearer view of detailed three-dimensional pictures of a patient’s spine as they start any complex procedure. They do this using custom virtual reality goggles. This expansion is a huge step for the hospital. It is home to one of the United Kingdom’s six ‘proud’ Foundation Trusts – the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM).
The day the “Magic Leap” system came in was another momentous day for Royal Stoke. It hopes to be at the forefront of the future of robotics, serving as a nationally-recognized model for excellence in robotic-assisted surgical procedures. Consultant colorectal surgeon Philip Varghese, who is part of the team going behind this groundbreaking project, said this new technology could revolutionise work done.
“This expansion significantly strengthens our ability to deliver robotic surgery across a wider range of complex procedures.” – Philip Varghese, consultant colorectal surgeon at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM).
This unique system will serve more than 1,000 patients annually. The hospital believes this is a great opportunity to change the trajectory of their health for all the positive. This “Magic Leap” technology will help expand the practice to conduct advanced and less invasive procedures, such as performing emergency interventions and complex heart surgeries. Furthermore, the NHS has estimated that by 2035, this method will future the 500,000 NHS operations per calendar year throughout England.
Just in the 2023-24 fiscal year, nearly 70,000 procedures were enabled through this cutting-edge technology. The NHS expects that in the next 10 years, robotic assistance will be routine for 90% of major keyhole surgeries. With this transition, robotic surgery will become routine for many operations into the foreseeable future.
Royal Stoke will also be pioneering technology beyond the “Magic Leap” system. This novel technology will enhance surgeons’ perceptual experience by providing real-time feedback on tissue resistance during surgery. This breakthrough aims to increase the precision of surgery while providing better patient outcomes.
Of course, the recent expansion will have the biggest impact. We hope to increase the number of bed days saved from 3,000 to a minimum of 5,000 annually. The vibrant hospital building, characterized by its red and yellow cladding on the lower part and several storeys high, stands as a beacon of progress in medical technology. Outside, ambulances are pre-staged, prepared to deliver patients who will be positively impacted by what these changes.
Coates, a representative from the UHNM foundation, expressed support for the initiative:
“Supporting projects that make a lasting difference to local communities remains a core focus of the foundation.”
He further noted that this investment will allow more patients across the region to access world-leading surgical care closer to home.
