Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford has praised an upgrade at Morriston Hospital in Swansea which has made its theatres “robot ready”
Two of the hospital’s theatres are now equipped with new, state-of-the-art robotic training equipment and the third is due to be completed in the coming months.
The three theatres are the first in Morriston Hospital which are dedicated to minimally-invasive laparoscopic surgery thanks to £3.275m of Welsh Government investment, which was announced last year.
Speaking during a visit to tour the new theatres, Professor Drakeford said:
“This investment is creating advanced treatment and training facilities for surgical teams and will make Morriston Hospital a leading centre in Europe for minimally-invasive surgery. More importantly, patients will benefit from the latest treatments available.”
Surgeons will use a voice-operated camera on a robot to carry out procedures – robotic-assisted treatments will be available in a number of specialities, including ear, nose and throat; oral and maxillofacial; bariatric and urology surgery.
The project has been developed by consultant surgeon Mark Davies, consultant urologist Neil Fenn and ENT consultant Heikki Whittet, who all work for Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board.
Mr Davies said:
“Having the best possible equipment will make more operations, and more complicated operations, possible through keyhole surgery with all the inherent benefits.
“There is a much quicker recovery, less post-operative pain and a shorter stay in hospital, so it is far better for the patient.”
The Welsh Government investment has also funded a training console for the Da Vinci robot, which is based at the University Hospital of Wales, in Cardiff and is used in prostate surgery.
The console allows surgeons from across South East Wales, Cardiff and Swansea to train on the new technology outside the live theatre environment and to receive support from experienced clinical mentors via video link-up.
Abertawe Bro Morgannwg, Aneurin Bevan and Cardiff and Vale university health boards are working together to provide a regional robotic surgery service.
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