The NHS in England plans to introduce surgical robots for thousands of procedures, including knee and hip replacements, to help reduce its current waiting list of 7.4 million people. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved robotic surgery systems for 11 types of operations, including tumour removal, hernia repair, and gallbladder removal. These machines, costing between £500,000 and £1.5 million, allow for more precise and less invasive surgeries, reducing recovery times and complications, which in turn increases hospital capacity. Already in use for treating prostate and bowel cancers, the robotic systems enable surgeons to operate mechanical arms from consoles or use handheld tools with greater dexterity than human hands alone. Health leaders, including NHS England’s Professor Sir Stephen Powis and other key specialists, emphasized the transformative potential of these technologies for patient care and system efficiency. A new national strategy and guidance will soon be released to ensure safe and standardized implementation across NHS facilities, alongside necessary training to expand surgical expertise. The move is part of NHS England’s upcoming ten-year health plan aimed at modernizing healthcare delivery.
NHS to Expand Use of Surgical Robots to Reduce Waiting Lists
