ROBO-SURGEONS
11 robot surgery machines have been approved to perform organ removal & cancer treatment in the NHS
The machines will also carry out cancer treatment and knee replacements
ROBOTIC surgery is to be rolled out on the NHS after its spending watchdog said it is better for patients.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has approved the use of 11 surgical machines.
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They can perform operations including hernia repairs, organ removals, hip and knee replacements, and cancer treatment.
Surgeons control tiny scalpels and other tools on robotic arms that enter the body through keyhole cuts and are far more precise than human hands.
This means there is less damage to the body and patients recover faster.
Nice said people experience less pain and scarring compared to traditional ops and can get back to work quicker.
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The hi-tech machines cost between £500,000 and £1.5million.
Nice's value-for-money approval of 11 cutting-edge robots will allow more general hospitals to use the gear, as well as richer specialist clinics.
The Royal College of Surgeons called the move a “significant step forward”.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, of NHS England, said: “Robot-assisted surgery is crucial to the future of high-quality healthcare.
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“Benefits include shorter stays in hospital, faster recovery for patients and less invasive procedures, so these advancements will help patients get treated quicker.”
Robotic surgery has been done on the NHS for more than a decade but its use is not yet widespread.
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Patients in some areas like London are more likely to get it than others.
Experts hope the Nice ruling will make it more accessible all over England.
John McGrath, a surgeon in Bristol and NHS England adviser on robotic surgery, said: “"This is a milestone in surgical innovation.
“We are working hard to develop a national strategy that ensures patients across the country are able to access this treatment when they need it, regardless of location.
“A key aspect is increasing expertise across the NHS workforce.”
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