Three new surgical robots are to be added to the two already installed at Barts Hospital and The Royal London Hospital and for the first time, Whipps Cross Hospital.
The expansion will see Barts Health become the first hospital in the south of England to offer cardiac robotic surgery.
Since the surgical robots were introduced in 2017, more than 2,000 patients have benefitted from robotic surgery for thoracic, gynaecology, urology, ear nose and throat (ENT) and hepatobiliary procedures.
Robotic surgery is minimally invasive (using smaller surgical cuts) and precise. This can lead to fewer complications and improve recovery times.
The expansion will see Barts Health become the first hospital in the south of England to offer cardiac robotic surgery
In many cases, patients can leave the hospital the same day and recover at home, returning to normal life soon after surgery.
Sasha Stamenkovic, Consultant Thoracic Surgeon at St Bartholomew’s, said: “I have seen over 1,600 patients benefit from innovative and complex surgery for chest tumours, lung cancers and advanced emphysema because of the first robot. Patients are going home in better condition and earlier.”
Funlayo Odejinmi, Consultant Obstetrician Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross Hospital, said: “Whipps Cross is now poised to ensure equitable access to ground-breaking surgical care. This not only enhances our ability to deliver exceptional outcomes but also reaffirms our commitment to pioneering medical excellence for the communities we serve.