Home Business Robotics NHS Approves Robotic Systems t...

NHS Approves Robotic Systems to Transform Surgery across England’s Hospitals

Robotics

Business Honor
19 April, 2025

Eleven robotic systems approved to enhance NHS surgeries, reduce complications, and speed up recovery.

In a move that might revolutionize treatment for thousands of people in England, the NHS has approved the use of new robotic equipment that can assist in the removal of tumors or the replacement of a patient's knee.

Officials claim that putting the device into practice might lower the risk of difficulties, shorten hospital stays and speed up recovery. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has authorized 11 systems in total through its early value evaluation program.

Some are handheld, while others let surgeons use console-controlled mechanical arms to perform operations. Five of the systems are utilized for soft tissue procedures, including gallbladder removal, hernia repair, and tumor removal.

Robot-assisted surgery has the potential to address key limitations of traditional surgical methods by offering precise movements and enhanced 3D visualization, which could significantly improve surgical options and outcomes for NHS patients. Both types of robotic surgical applications may offer options for patients who are not typically eligible for minimally invasive procedures.

While additional information is collected, the 11 systems may be used during the next three years in accordance with the guidelines. NICE will examine several topics, including the impact of technology on waiting lists and hospital stays, staff training expenses, and system implementation costs.

According to the NHS spending watchdog, the cost of each system ranges from £500,000 to £1.5 million. Typically, they are placed in specialized facilities where hundreds of procedures are performed annually. Additionally, the number of treatments done by robotics conducted in orthopedics has increased, rising from 300 in 2018–19 to 4,000 last year.

One of the changes the government plans to address in its upcoming 10-year health plan is increasing the NHS's use of digital technologies. Additionally, a greater emphasis on illness prevention and transferring hospital care into the community is expected.