The West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (WHTH) is investing in two surgical robotic systems to be installed at Watford General, with the aim of becoming a centre of excellence in minimally invasive surgery.
Once fully implemented WHTH plans to provide surgical procedures using the Versius robotic systems, from CMR Surgical, across multiple specialties including colorectal, gynaecology, urology, and upper gastrointestinal surgery. WHTH also intends to replicate the savings in bed days seen at sites with existing Versius programmes, helping to alleviate the pressure NHS services are facing with bed capacity.
WHTH said it chose Versius because of its small, modular design, which means that it can be easily moved between departments and hospitals, and integrated into existing workflows, so that hospitals can maximise its usage.
Furthermore, Versius has an open console that is designed to facilitates clear verbal and non-verbal communication between the surgeon and surgical team.
WHTH expects that scaling its surgical robotics programme will see more patients being offered a minimal access approach, bringing with it benefits that include a reduction in post-operative pain, blood loss and scarring as well as improved patient recovery times and a reduced stay in hospital for patients.
Vanash Patel, consultant colorectal surgeon at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, explained: “We are excited to implement our surgical robotics programme, helping to drive better outcomes for our patients. With Versius, our surgeons will be able to perform complex operations with the enhanced precision and control that robotics offer.
“We are committed to scaling up our robotics programme at speed and believe that having two robotic systems from the outset, which can be easily moved between operating rooms and integrated into existing workflows, will help us achieve this.”
As well as investing in improved patient outcomes, WHTH hopes that the robotic surgery programme, alongside its teaching hospital status, will increase staff wellbeing, morale, and talent attraction and retention.
