NHS robotic surgery training targets 2035 rollout

NHS surgeons are training on robotic-assisted systems as England aims to use robotic help in nine out of 10 keyhole surgeries by 2035.

At St Bartholomew's Hospital in central London, consultant thoracic surgeon Sasha Stamenkovic used the da Vinci 5 robotic-assisted surgical system to remove a lung tumour while three surgeons from another English hospital observed. The equipment, made by US company Intuitive, is due to arrive in their operating theatre later this year.

Stamenkovic, director of robotic surgery and research at Barts Health NHS Trust, runs fellowships aimed at preparing what he called the “surgeon of the future”. During the operation, he worked from a console, with his hand movements translated into the actions of robotic arms holding surgical instruments. A fourth arm held a camera providing a 3D view.

Robotic systems can be used in specialities including urology, gynaecology, colorectal, thoracic and general surgery.

Ali Ansaripour, a senior cardiothoracic trainee on a year-long fellowship, said the biggest challenge was “stepping away” from the patient, but added that the system gave surgeons “incredible vision”.

Supporters say more precise surgery through smaller wounds should reduce complications, shorten hospital stays and help free beds in the public health service.

Ian Macleod, a 76-year-old retired detective, said he recovered quickly after becoming the first NHS patient to undergo lung cancer surgery using the new system.

The government has highlighted robotics as one of five “big bets” in a 10-year health plan for England. The Royal College of Surgeons of England has criticised what it called a “postcode lottery” in access to robotic surgery and said there was no standard, consistent funding model across the NHS.