Cornwall to get first surgical robot in £2 million NHS investment
Cornwall is set to receive its first-ever surgical robot, in what’s being described as a major step forward for healthcare in the county.
The £2 million investment from NHS England will fund both the cutting-edge technology and specialist training for six surgeons at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust.
The system will be based at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro and is expected to begin installation later this year.
Until now, patients in Cornwall needing robotic surgery have had to travel to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth or even further afield. The new system is expected to reduce those journeys, improve access to treatment, and ease pressure on neighbouring hospitals.
Robotic surgery allows doctors to operate with greater precision in small or hard-to-reach areas of the body. It is commonly used in procedures involving cancers of the digestive and urinary systems, as well as conditions like endometriosis and some forms of diabetes.
Health leaders say the move could transform care for hundreds of patients each year.
Professor James Clark from the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust says the investment is a major moment for the region.
He said: “It’s outstanding. It shows that Cornwall is being invested in as a healthcare service, and in surgery in particular. From that perspective, it is fantastic.”
He added that the technology will make a real difference for patients locally.
“Our patients will no longer have to travel out of county to get the same standard of care that they can now receive in Cornwall. So there are huge benefits.”
While robotic surgery is already widely used elsewhere, he acknowledged Cornwall has been catching up.
“This technology isn’t new, so we are behind in that sense. Nevertheless, it allows us now to get the maximum benefits from having such advanced technology here in Cornwall.”
The project follows years of campaigning by local surgeons, community groups, Rotary Clubs and Cornwall’s MPs, who pushed for equal access to the technology.
Fundraising efforts have also played a role, with community groups raising tens of thousands of pounds to support future costs.
Hospital bosses say the investment will not only improve patient care but also help attract and retain highly skilled surgeons in Cornwall.
The trust will cover the ongoing running costs once the system is up and running.