Next-generation Versius surgical robots introduced at Frimley Health

The trust is the first in the UK to use CMR Surgical’s Versius robot in urology and colorectal surgery. The robot assisted technology allows surgeons to carry out minimal access surgery (MAS), otherwise known as keyhole surgery.

Frimley Health, which has recently awarded a £108m EPR contract to Epic, has used Versius to perform a range of procedures including ones to treat kidney and bowel cancer.

Henry Tilney, consultant colorectal surgeon at the trust, said: “The introduction of Versius at Frimley Health is a major step forward as we seek to maintain our centre as a leader in surgical robotics and make this technology a routine part of clinical practice.

“Our intention is that it will be used to help perform a range of surgical procedures including complex cancer cases – allowing us to offer the benefits of minimal access surgery to our patients, which include faster recovery times and reduced risk of infection.

“Versius now gives us the ability to use this technique for hundreds more patients than has been previously possible and is marking the start of a new, important era in this field.”

The robot is portable and has been designed to be easily moved between operating theatres. Once in an operating theatre, it takes about 15 minutes to set up the system.

Frimley Health joins a number of early adopters of Versius in the UK, including NHS Lothian’s Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Trust and Manchester University NHS Foundation

Mark Slack, chief medical officer at CMR Surgical, said: “We are delighted that a well-established surgical robotics centre, such as Frimley Health has chosen to expand its surgical robotics programme with Versius.

“In designing Versius our goal was to provide a versatile, portable, and cost-effective surgical robotic system that could transform the field of minimal access surgery – allowing more patients to benefit than currently do. The introduction of Versius at Frimley Health does just that, and crucially at a time when patients, surgeons and hospitals are facing unexpected health and economic challenges.”