Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) has carried out its first procedure using Cornwall’s first-ever soft tissue robotic surgical system, marking a major milestone for patient care in the county.
The procedure is the culmination of years of planning, investment and specialist training, bringing world-class robotic-assisted surgery to patients closer to home.
The new robotic system allows surgeons to operate with enhanced precision in small, difficult-to-reach areas of the body. The technology is expected to benefit patients undergoing treatment for a range of conditions, including cancers of the digestive and urinary systems, endometriosis and some metabolic conditions.
The first procedure took place on Monday 6 July. James Clark, Divisional Chair for Surgery and Lead for the Soft Tissue Robotic Surgical Programme, said: “This is a milestone for Cornwall and fantastic for patients that we are able to offer the quality of the best robotic surgery locally, rather than them having to travel out of county.
“As a team we have been training at a world-class centre in Belgium to hone our skills. Whilst the operation itself is the same, the dexterity the robot offers is far above what a human hand can attain. With improved vision and enhanced capabilities, we expect to see patients recover more quickly and to be able to offer procedures that we’ve previously not be able to do in Cornwall.”
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This robotic surgery has been made possible through £2 million of NHS England funding, alongside strong support from local communities, Rotary Clubs across Cornwall, the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity, charity fundraisers and campaigners who championed the introduction of the technology.
The successful procedure marks the beginning of a new chapter for surgical services in Cornwall, with hundreds of patients expected to benefit from robotic-assisted surgery in the years ahead.
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