Great Western Hospital has bought a high-tech surgical robot to improve patient care and attract top surgeons to the team.
The trust in charge of the town’s biggest healthcare facility has bought the expensive bit of kit to help carry out operations in a less invasive way across the general surgery, urology, and gynaecology departments.
As the technology develops, staff will be able to use the machine in more specialities.
Across the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board region, a commitment has been made to invest in the latest technology.
So, last year, the trust developed plans to deliver more operations using the most modern equipment.
The first stage of putting this plan in place has been to purchase a Versius robot from CMR Surgical.
The machine is expected to help reduce the length of time patients spend in hospital and reduce the chance of infection and complications.
Robotic technology helps surgeons operate with higher levels of precision and perform complex procedures with minimal access, while ensuring the highest levels of patient safety.
It is hoped the investment will help make GWH a more attractive place to work as a surgeon.
Chief medical officer, Jon Westbrook, said: “This is an important investment for the trust, and an important example of one of the many improvements we are making. It will improve care for our patients and allow them to leave hospital sooner.
“We are committed to reducing health inequalities, and this purchase means our local population are less likely to have travel long distances for this important robotic surgery.
“It will help us continue to recruit and retain the very best surgeons here in Swindon and share our specialist knowledge with our local health partners.”
The Versius has arrived at the hospital and is being integrated into the theatre, with surgeons undergoing training before the first operation using the robot takes place later this year.
Ana Raduc is CMR Surgical’s general manager for UK and Ireland.
She said: “Our goal in designing Versius was to provide a versatile surgical robotic system that could transform the field of minimal access surgery, so that more patients can benefit from the highest quality of surgical care.
"With the installation of Versius at Great Western Hospital, we are excited to work closely with the team on the delivery of a multi-specialty programme to help improve patient care, whilst also maximising efficiencies for the hospital thanks to its innovative digital ecosystem.”
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