A £1m fundraising appeal has been launched to support the introduction of robot-assisted surgery at West Suffolk Hospital.
The campaign has been announced by My WiSH Charity, which supports innovation and improvements in care at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust.
The charity said the appeal would fund the use of advanced surgical robotics, enabling surgeons to carry out procedures with greater precision while maintaining existing clinical leadership in operating theatres.
National push to increase robotic-assisted surgeries
According to NHS projections, robotic technology is expected to play a growing role in surgical practice, with estimates suggesting that within a decade the majority of keyhole procedures could involve robotic assistance.
Robot-assisted surgery can allow surgeons to perform operations through smaller incisions, which can help reduce discomfort and scar tissue while supporting faster recovery times and shorter hospital stays for patients.
At West Suffolk Hospital, many procedures are currently carried out using laparoscopic, or “keyhole”, techniques.
The addition of a surgical robot is intended to enhance these approaches, offering improved visibility and precision during operations while surgeons remain fully in control of the procedure.
The robotic system identified for use at the hospital is the Versius platform, developed by Cambridge-based manufacturer CMR Surgical.
“This appeal is about investing in the future of healthcare for our community,” said Joanne Landucci, Head of Fundraising at My WiSH.
The appeal is now under way, with the charity calling on local communities, businesses and supporters to contribute towards funding the technology and expanding access to robotic surgery in West Suffolk.
The NHS is increasingly embracing robotic‑assisted surgery, with trusts such as Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust reaching over 1,000 procedures in under two years.