Robotic Assisted Surgery (RAS) is a minimally-invasive approach to surgery that allows surgeons to perform complex procedures in hard to reach areas with more precision, flexibility and control than is possible with conventional laparoscopic (key-hole) techniques.

The development of a robotic assisted surgery programme (RAS) across Bedfordshire Hospitals will enable our Trust to keep pace with the rest of the UK, future proof our surgical services, help the Trust retain and attract high calibre surgical teams, and deliver a number of other benefits to our patients, and the organisation as a whole.

RAS is increasingly replacing minimally invasive laparoscopic (key-hole) surgery as it enables surgeons to perform complex procedures in hard to reach areas with more precision, flexibility and control.

Unlike in most other hospitals across the UK, the two state of the art da Vinci Xi robots (one at Bedford, the other at the L&D) will be used in a number of different specialties including General Surgery (Colorectal, Upper GI and Bariatrics), Gynaecology, Urology, ENT and OMFS. We will be only one of three Bariatric centres in the UK using the technology.

Benefits for patients include a reduced hospital stay and recovery time, with less pain, and improved clinical outcomes and quality of life after surgery.

Because of your Fundraising

The charity committed to supporting towards the purchase of the additional monitor to allow for training on junior surgeons and for dual surgeries to take place reducing time in the operating theatre and supporting the health and wellbeing of the patient by reduced anaesthetic and recovery.

With thanks to the local community, key charitable events and corporates for their fundraising for the Helipad, the funds have been used to support the purchase of the dual control and the first surgery took place at the L&D on 2nd May 2023.

Without our supporters fundraising and getting behind our appeals the charity would not be able to support the Trust in its commitment to deliver excellent services, including local cancer services and our tertiary bariatric and complex head and neck services, promote the development of other specialist services, and reduce the demand on acute beds through shorter length of stays.

To continue following the story of the Robotic Surgery click the link to the main www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk

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