Three surgical robots to help cut NHS Grampian waiting lists
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NHS Grampian has unveiled three new surgical robots as part of a £3.5 million investment in improving patient care and reducing waiting times in the region.
Medics in the north-east were the first to have a robotic-assisted surgical system in 2015.
Improved and shorter recovery times have since been seen for patients operated on by them.
The latest technology – two new da Vinci Xi robots and a Mako Robotic-Arm – arrives as NHS Grampian moves to treat more patients more quickly as the region emerges from the pandemic.
Shafaque Shaikh, a Consultant in colorectal and general surgery, said: "On average, patients should have shorter hospital stays following robotic-assisted surgery.
"They will also have quicker recovery times and need less pain control and less anaesthetic.
"All of these factors will benefit individual patients.
"More widely, the new technology benefits everyone in the region.
"With people in hospital for less time, it increases our capacity and allows us to see more patients.
"This investment in cutting-edge technology really ensures we can give our patients the best experience, and that myself and my fellow surgeons have the most modern tools available to do our job."
The region’s original da Vinci device – which will now be used for training surgeons – has been used for urology and gynaecology patients since 2015.
Urology consultant Justine Royle said: "Some patients still arrive in hospital apprehensive, believing that the machine is doing all the work using artificial intelligence.
"But the machines are very much controlled by our surgeons.
"They don’t ‘think’ or operate on their own.
"It’s no different from a car in that sense. We are fully in control.”
The latest additions will allow NHS Grampian to cover general surgery.
Alan Black, 59, from Aberdeen, was the first patient to be operated on with one of the new machines last week.
Afterwards he said: "I think I’m feeling better than I could have otherwise.
"There’s nothing to be apprehensive about.
"I’m not totally pain-free – my abdomen is still stiff – but I seem to be okay.
"The level of care has been exceptional – you can’t fault anything."
The two new da Vinci robotic-assisted surgical systems are based at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
Meanwhile, the Mako system is at Woodend Hospital, where it will be used on hip and knee replacement patients.
Woodend Hospital already has one of the lowest length of stays for patients in the country for knee and hip patients.
It is hoped the new technology will improve this further.
Cameron Matthew, NHS Grampian's deputy chief officer in the acute sector, explained his hopes for the new technology.
He said: "We want to be able to develop a regional training centre and specialist robotic division.
"That, in turn, will hopefully attract robotic fellows to Aberdeen before they move on to substantive posts elsewhere or decide to stay in the north-east.
"As we move out of Covid-19 and look to tackle our waiting lists we now have the best technology available to do that."
