13th May 2009
Lord Darzi launches Hospital’s new robot
Lord Darzi, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health, paid a visit to Broomfield Hospital to see for himself the benefits that the Trust's new da Vinci surgical robot system will bring to patients.
During his hour long visit Lord Darzi met Mr Nigel Richardson (consultant general/colorectal surgeon) and Mr Ranjan Thilagarajah (consultant urological surgeon) -the two surgeons who have already been trained to use the robot. He also met the surgical team who assist with the operations using the robot and other surgeons from the Trust who will be trained in the use of the robot over the coming months.
Ruth May, chief executive of mid Essex Hospitals, said:" I am delighted that Lord Darzi has taken the time to come to Broomfield Hospital to personally launch the new robot for us. It was lovely for all of the surgeons to meet him and discuss the surgical advances that having the robot bring to this Trust and our patients."
Also on hand to meet Lord Darzi was Alan Campbell, the first patient to have his operation performed by Mr Thilagarajah using the robot.
Mr Campbell from Great Dunmow said: "I was very surprised when I was told that I would be the first patient to have an operation using the robot, but I was reassured that this was the best thing for me and was very relaxed. I had my operation to remove a kidney on the Monday morning and was discharged on the Wednesday afternoon
To date six operations have been carried out at the Trust using the robot and more are scheduled.
Nigel Richardson, general and colorectal surgeon, said:" This is a really exciting development for the Trust as it means we can perform keyhole surgery in 3D. It is most beneficial for cancer surgery as this obviously has to be very precise. The robot gives the surgeon more flexibility which means intricate surgical procedures can be done quicker and easier. I am really pleased that Lord Darzi took the time to come and find out for himself how we will be using the robot at this Trust."
The use of robotic techniques in surgery is well understood across the world, however, Broomfield Hospital, is only the 15th hospital in the UK, and the first in Essex, to adopt robot assistance for surgery.
ENDS
Media contact : Jo Triggs tel: (01245) 514235 | Mobile : 0790 005 4948
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