Building a regional framework for robotics in surgery

Hospitals across the North East and North Cumbria are coming together to develop a clear plan for the future of robotic‑assisted surgery. A new NENC Robotic Surgery Strategic Steering Group will lead this work.

Its aim is simple: to make sure patients across the region can benefit from safe, effective robotic surgery, no matter where they live.

Robotic‑assisted surgery is growing fast and the 10-year Health Plan for England will expect more operations to be done using robots over the next decade. It can help patients recover more quickly and reduce time spent in hospital. But at the moment, access to robotic surgery is not the same in every trust.

Some hospitals have more equipment and more trained staff. The specialities in which robots are used and the training pathways also vary. The new Steering Group will bring experts together to fix these gaps and to explore how by working together, hospitals can also save money when buying surgical robots and associated equipment.

Members will include surgeons, managers, training leads, procurement teams, workforce specialists and system partners. Together, they will create a shared plan for how the region buys, uses and expands robotic surgery.

The work is being supported by the NENC Strategic Approach to Clinical Services Board working in partnership with the NENC Planned Care Board.

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