NHS unveils ground-breaking plan for robots to carry out millions more surgeries

Robots are going to help carry out millions more hospital surgeries in a ten-year plan to increase their role in the NHS. Machine-assisted surgery is currently used for 70,000 of the more complex procedures each year at specialist UK hospitals - but the new boss of the NHS says the number will increase to half a million by 2035.

Nine in ten of all keyhole surgeries - such as the removal of certain organs affected by cancer - will be delivered using robots in the next 10 years - up from one in five today. It is a generational shift away from the idea of a man with a scalpel and means robotic surgery will become the default for many operations.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who had robot-assisted surgery when he had treatment for kidney cancer in 2021, said that innovative technologies will "transform the NHS".

NHS chief executive Sir Jim Mackey said: “The NHS has pledged to return to shorter elective waiting times by 2029 and we are using every tool at our disposal to ensure patients get the best possible treatment.

Expanding the use of new and exciting tech such as robotic surgery will play a huge part in this. Not only does it speed up the number of procedures the NHS can do, but it also means better outcomes, a faster recovery and shorter hospital stays for patients.”

Sir Jim will announce the shift towards robotic surgery at the NHS ConfedExpo conference in Manchester on Wednesday. Compared to traditional keyhole surgery, robotic surgery allows greater dexterity and precision. They are controlled by a surgeon at a console using a 3D camera. In some robot procedures the robot is programmed to perform elements of the procedure.

Wes Streeting said: “Innovative treatments and technologies that help fast track better outcomes for patients is how we transform our NHS and make it fit for the future. I know myself how important this is, when the NHS saved my life from kidney cancer with an operation led by a world-class surgeon being helped by a robot.”

It comes after the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) announced in April it has conditionally approved use of 11 new surgery robot systems in England.

The robotic arm systems costing between £500,000 and £1.5 million are mainly starting to be used for common procedures such as hernia repair, knee and hip replacements.

John McGrath, consultant surgeon at North Bristol NHS Trust and chair of the NHSE Steering Committee for Robotic Assisted Surgery, added: "Robot-assisted surgery is a perfect example of innovation improving patients' care and transforming the way the NHS works - the number of procedures being carried is set to rapidly grow over the next 10 years according to our analysis."

Nicola’s story

Nichola Collins of Thornton-Cleveleys, had a hysterectomy at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital in Lancashire, and was home within 24 hours. She said: “I only knew about the old way of doing a hysterectomy, and that often meant two to four days in hospital – sometimes even a week.

"One of the main reasons I opted for the robotic procedure was because I’ve got young children, four in all. I didn’t want a long recuperation afterwards, so it was a big benefit.

“My recovery has been significantly quicker than I would have thought. I followed the advice I was given and took it easy, mostly resting. But from about week two, I was up and about more, moving around, even going downstairs. T

"he procedure went perfectly. It’s made a huge difference to my quality of life. I had been dealing with ongoing issues, and since the surgery, things have improved a lot.”

She added: “I was amazed at how they could do something so intricate using robotic arms, I found it incredible. I just felt really lucky to have been offered that option, especially with my family circumstances.

"The better recovery meant I could get back on my feet much sooner and carry on with everyday life, so I just think it's amazing that they can do it.”