A new NHS robot has arrived in Stockport, set to transform cancer surgery with safer and more efficient operations.
The Da Vinci Xi Surgical System, nicknamed the Da Vinci robot, will assist surgeons during prostate and bowel operations. According to Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, the technology enables procedures with less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery compared to traditional methods.
How the robot works
The dual console system is operated via a console that controls the robot's arms, which can hold objects and act as scalpels, scissors, and other surgical devices. Another arm controls high-definition 3D cameras, giving surgeons a magnified view of the surgical site.
The trust says the robot will help the surgical team carry out more operations and reduce waiting times for patients. Faster recovery and fewer complications will also free up beds throughout the hospital.
Expert praise and impact
One surgeon described the technology as a "huge step forward for cancer care", with the robot set to improve treatment for thousands of people each year.
General and Upper GI Surgeon and Associate Medical Director Natasha Henley said: “Robotic surgery allows us to operate with a much higher level of precision. For patients, that means smaller incisions and a much quicker return to normal life.
"Being able to offer this technology here in Stockport is a huge step forward for cancer care, and we’re excited about the difference it will make for the thousands of people we treat every year.”
Boosting prostate and bowel surgery
One of the main procedures will be surgery to remove prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men in the UK. With the new robot, prostate cancer operations are expected to increase from around 450-500 a year to around 1,000 a year.
Patients with bowel cancer, the fourth most common cancer in the UK, will also benefit from robotic-assisted surgery.
Nigel Roberts, Associate Divisional Director for Theatres, Critical Care, Anaesthetics and Pain said: “This technology is a huge step forward for our patients. The robot gives us incredible precision and control, which means safer operations, fewer complications and much faster recovery times.
"We’re proud to be bringing this level of innovation to Stockport.”
