University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire installs robot surgeon

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust has installed a new robotic-assisted surgical system which will allow a wider range of minimally invasive procedures to be carried out.

The trust has received its second fourth-generation da Vinci X surgical system which will be used for precise and advanced operations, including prostate, kidney, bladder, bowel, throat, oesophageal, liver, pancreatic, gynaecology and lung.

In 2013 the trust received the da Vinci Si, which has since been used to carry out more than 1,500 operations. Now, with £1.5million funding from Coventry Hospitals Charity, the trust has gained the Xi model.

Professor Andy Hardy, chief executive officer of University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, said: “I am incredibly proud to be able to offer our patients the most cutting-edge surgery through the use of the da Vinci systems by our world-leading consultants.

“Through their use we have already been able to clear our two-year waiting list and are working hard towards clearing our entire backlog.

“For our patients, robotic-assisted surgery has huge benefits as it not only offers enhanced precision and magnification, but greatly reduces recovery times post-surgery meaning people can get back on their feet more quickly.

“We’re proud to be a pioneer in offering state-of-the-art care and, as one of 20 centres of excellence in the UK, we are being recognised for our approach to robotics on a local, regional and national level.”

The da Vinci system helps to reduce the length of hospital stays and minimise the risk of post-operative complications. According to University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, the system delivers a 60% reduction in hospital stay length.

The trust is not the only NHS provider improving patient experiences and tackling backlogs through the da Vinci robots. In May this year NHS Highland shared its experiences of robotic-assisted surgery.

David Marante, regional director at Intuitive UK & Ireland, makers of the da Vinci surgical systems, said: “The team at Coventry is another great example of the NHS providing innovative solutions to clear surgical backlogs by expanding access to robotic-assisted surgery for more patients with our da Vinci systems.

“Our aim is to collaborate and support surgeons and their teams to train in more specialty areas which could enhance and extend the level of care they are able to offer to patients and improve patient outcomes.”