Robot assisted surgery helping Ayrshire patients return home sooner, says MSP

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Robots in the operating theatre will help Ayrshire patients return home quicker than before, says an MSP.Conservative Sharon Dowey has welcomed new state-of-the-art urology services in NHS Ayrshire & Arran following the expansion of Robot Assisted Surgery (RAS) to include some colorectal and urology surgery.RAS allows surgeons to perform a range of complex procedures with more precision, flexibility and control than is possible with conventional techniques.

Ms Dowey said that the upgrade will assist surgeons and improve outcomes for patients – while attracting and retaining skilled professionals in the region.It is expected that as a result of the surgery, patients will leave hospital sooner and return to full activity more quickly than before.

Ms Dowey said: “It’s great to see the expansion of Robot Assisted Surgery here in Ayrshire which will assist surgeons to carry out more advanced surgical procedures closer to home.“Now that this procedure has expanded to include some colorectal and urology surgery, more patients will benefit from shorter hospital stays and will recover far quicker than before. “On top of that, NHS Ayrshire and Arran can expect to attract and retain additional skilled surgical staff – which is great to hear with all health boards struggling to retain staff at the moment. “I’m glad that the health board is looking at innovative ways to deliver surgery and reduce the time that a patient stays in hospital. “This is a step in the right direction to deliver for patients and increase capacity in our hospitals." Read next: Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter