NHS plans more robotic surgeries to speed up patient care and treatment
NHS to increase robotic surgeries to 500,000 per year by 2035
- The NHS in England plans to significantly expand robotic surgery, projecting an increase from 70,000 procedures last year to around 500,000 in the next decade.
- By 2035, NHS officials anticipate that 90 per cent of all keyhole surgeries will be carried out with robotic assistance, up from the current rate of one in five.
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting, a former kidney cancer patient who underwent robot-assisted surgery, believes innovative technologies will transform the NHS, leading to quicker recovery times and shorter hospital stays for patients.
- NHS England boss Sir Jim Mackey stated that expanding the use of robotic surgery will help the NHS return to shorter elective waiting times by 2029, improve patient outcomes, and speed up procedures.
- Experts note that robotic surgery allows for greater dexterity and easier manipulation compared to traditional methods, with consultant surgeon John McGrath highlighting its potential to improve patient care and relieve pressure on NHS services.