Robotic surgery push trains NHS doctors for 2035

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 system to remove a lung tumour while 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”.

The system lets a surgeon operate from a console, with hand movements translated into the actions of robotic arms holding surgical tools. A separate arm holds a camera that provides 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 the greater precision can reduce complications and shorten hospital stays. 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 named robotics as one of five “big bets” in a 10-year health plan for England. The Royal College of Nursing criticised what it called a “postcode lottery” in access to robotic surgery and said there was no standard, consistent funding model across the NHS.