State-of-the-art robotic systems approved for use on the NHS could transform treatment for thousands of people across England, say health authorities, after the technology was given the green light by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) under its early value assessment programme.
Offering a range of applications, from helping remove tumours to replacing a patient’s knee, the roll-out is expected to reduce hospital stays, speed up recovery times, and lower the risk of complications.
The Independent reports that 11 systems have been approved, including five for soft tissue surgeries such as removing tumours, repairing hernias and removing gallbladders, and six for orthopaedics, including knee and hip replacements.
Some allow surgeons to perform operations using mechanical arms controlled from a console, while others are hand-held.
Dr Anastasia Chalkidou, programme director of Nice’s HealthTech programme, said: “These innovative technologies have the potential to transform both soft tissue and orthopaedic surgical care in the NHS.
“Robot-assisted surgery may help overcome key limitations of conventional techniques through precise movements and enhanced 3D visualisation, potentially transforming surgical options and outcomes for patients.
“Both applications could benefit patients who might not otherwise be candidates for minimally invasive approaches.”
The 11 systems will be used over the next three years while more evidence is collected, and as Nice examines how the technology affects the length of hospital stays and waiting lists, as well as the resources used for training staff and the costs of implementing the systems.
Each of the systems costs between £500 000 and £1.5m, according to the NHS spending watchdog.
In 2011-12, most robot-assisted procedures were for urological cancer, which can include cancer in the bladder, kidney, prostate and testicles, but by last year, almost half of these operations were for other conditions, with a surge in the use of robotic surgeries for bowel cancer, which now accounts for a quarter of all robot-assisted procedures.
There has also been a jump in the use of the technology in orthopaedics, with 4 000 robot-assisted surgeries taking place last year, up from 300 in 2018-19.
Making greater use of digital technologies in the NHS is one of the three shifts set to be outlined by the British Government in its forthcoming 10-year health plan.
The Independent article – Robotics approved for use in NHS surgeries across England (Open access)
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