Surgical robot undertakes first NHS work in UK

The Versius surgical robot has carried out its first treatments in the UK's National Health Service (NHS), performing its first procedure on a patient at The Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.

Versius was built by Cambridge-based CMR Surgical and features three independent arms that are controlled by a surgeon in a way that is able to mimic the movements of humans, allowing for precise surgery and making longer surgical procedures less strenuous. The robot was designed to enhance the way in which surgeons perform minimal access surgical procedures such as colorectal or gynaecological surgery.

“We are delighted to be creating history and to be at the very forefront of medical science,” said Dr Tracey Gillies, Medical Director at NHS Lothian.

“Our team at the Western General Hospital are the first in Europe and among only a handful in the world to pioneer this new type of robotic surgery. This is a really exciting development and is a credit to the team, who are determined to push boundaries to provide the best patient care possible.”

The first procedure was carried out in Edinburgh, followed shortly after by another at Milton Keynes University Hospital. Both the procedures were colorectal operations to treat patients with sever bowel disease or bowel cancer.

“Innovative robotic systems like Versius are set to play a vital part in delivering world-leading surgical care across the NHS and I am delighted that the team at Milton Keynes will be some of the first in the world to be routinely using this technology,” said Professor Joe Harrison, chief executive at Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

“Versius represents a remarkable step forward in this field and one that could help make keyhole surgery far more accessible. The hope for us is that this will lead to better outcomes for patients as well as helping us to free up bed space that can then be used to help others in need,” added Professor Harrison.

The success of Versuis could open up minimal access surgery to a range of other patients. CMR Surgical has said that the key to the tech is its portability, allowing it to be shifted around hospitals quickly and easily. Once in theatre, the robots can be set up in 15 minutes.

“We set out to design a system that was versatile, portable and cost-effective, and it is immensely rewarding to see it now being used in the NHS – one of the most thorough and clinically rigorous health systems in the world,” said Mark Slack, chief medical officer at CMR Surgical.

“We are intent on ensuring the responsible introduction of this technology, and the skilled expertise and focus on innovative research at these NHS sites make them the ideal place for this technology. Our focus now will be on working with the surgical community across the UK to provide the option of minimal access surgery to everyone who may benefit.”

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