West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Makes Significant Investment in Surgical Robots
West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has recently acquired two cutting-edge robotic surgery machines, the da Vinci Xi and the Procept BioRobotic, in a move aimed at revolutionizing cancer treatment. The trust spent £2.5 million on the da Vinci Xi, designed for intricate procedures, and around £365,000 on the Procept BioRobotic, used for treating enlarged prostates.
With this latest investment, the trust’s total spending on robotics now exceeds £5.7 million, reinforcing its commitment to providing state-of-the-art healthcare. These robots have led to significant improvements in patient outcomes, with reduced hospital stays and enhanced surgical precision.
Since introducing robotic surgery in 2022, the trust has seen a remarkable decrease in post-operative recovery times for cancer patients, from an average of five days to just two to three days. The technology allows for safer, more accurate, and less invasive procedures, resulting in minimal pain and faster recovery for patients.
Leading the robotics program at the trust, colorectal surgeon Vanesh Patel envisions a future where patients can return home within 24 hours of surgery by May 2026. The trust aims to establish a global center of excellence for robotic surgery, offering patients cutting-edge technology for cancer treatment and other medical conditions.
Furthermore, the trust runs a comprehensive training program for medical professionals, with 14 surgeons already upskilled in robotics. The da Vinci Xi’s dual surgeon console enables surgical trainees to gain hands-on experience under the guidance of experienced surgeons, benefiting patients across various surgical specialties.
The introduction of the ‘virtual hospital’ post-surgery monitoring system further enhances patient care, allowing remote monitoring and timely intervention if necessary. This innovative approach, in collaboration with Central London Community Health Trust, has already proven successful in treating thousands of patients while saving valuable bed days.
Overall, West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s investment in surgical robotics signifies a major step towards advancing surgical care and improving patient outcomes.
