We're celebrating the arrival of a new robotic-assisted surgical system, following a successful fundraising campaign to raise £1.2m to purchase the robot led by the James Paget Hospital Charity.
We set a target to raise funds for the purchase of a da Vinci X surgical system provided by Intuitive, which uses robotic-assisted technology to help surgeons perform a range of procedures, alongside a low temperature sterilizing unit and training to help the James Paget’s surgical theatre team use the robot.
The Hospital Charity’s ‘Robot Appeal’ launched in 2023, and inspired generous fundraising from across the James Paget’s staff, patients and communities – with donations received from individuals and organisations, including the Geoffrey Watling Charity.
Alongside this, the Charity received a significant legacy donation from a local couple, after whom the surgical system is now named – the Howes Robot.
David and Valerie Howes lived in Oulton Broad – a perfect location as they enjoyed the water and owned a boat. They liked to visit auction rooms and collected a variety of items including toys, and had a Yorkshire terrier called Buttons who they both adored. Mr Howes died in 2010, with Mrs Howes passing away in 2023.
Dr Shane Gordon, Managing Director of James Paget University Hospital, said: “I wish to sincerely thank everyone that has contributed to the hospital’s Robot Appeal, including our outstanding fundraisers and generous local donors. Having a robotic-assisted surgical system at our hospital is a significant step forward for the quality of care our surgical teams can provide at the James Paget.”
In June, the Howes Robot arrived and was installed at the James Paget, with the hospital’s surgical teams completing training on using the new equipment. The first procedures performed by the team using the da Vinci X surgical system were led by Consultant Surgeon Kamal Aryal.
The team carried out three procedures on two patients: a gall stone operation and then a bilateral hernia. In both cases the patients were able to go home on the same day.
“It went really well,” said Mr Aryal. “There will always be nerves using a piece of new equipment. But once I started operating from the console, it all went really smoothly.”
Previously, Mr Aryal would have performed this type of operation by laparoscopic (regular keyhole) surgery – itself a minimally-invasive technique with surgeons making small incisions.
The da Vinci X surgical system is also used to perform minimally-invasive surgery, but with even greater precision. Procedures are performed through a few small incisions using instruments attached to the arms of the system, which are controlled by the surgeon. The system gives the surgeon a much more magnified, high definition, three-dimensional view of the area they are operating on.
While not suitable for every procedure, the robot can be used to perform most general surgery, such as hernias and gall bladder procedures, with patients generally going home on the same day of their operation.
It can also be used for colorectal (bowel), gynaecological and urological cancer operations, again bringing positive outcomes for patients.
The benefits of the robotic-assisted surgery are multiple. For patients it can lead to quicker recovery time, fewer days in hospital, and a reduced complication and mortality rate.
“The chances of clearing the cancer completely are much better and post operative recovery is quicker. In addition, the risk of complications is less and the risk of the cancer coming back is also reduced,” said Mr Aryal.
“In addition, because it helps reduce length of stay, it also helps the hospital in its management of beds, helping ensure bed availability for those patients who need them. For staff involved it brings about great satisfaction and team spirit working together, achieving good outcomes.”
To date, the James Paget surgical teams have performed over 30 procedures using the da Vinci X surgical system.
Daniel Cooke, 37, from Norwich was one of the first patients to receive care from the team using the new surgical system.
Mr Cooke attended the James Paget’s Day Care Unit – temporary home to the surgical system – on Tuesday 3rd June for a bilateral hernia operation.
After having his operation, conducted by Consultant Surgeon Kamal Aryal, Mr Cooke spent three hours in recovery at the hospital – and then, later that day, was discharged home.
“The surgical wounds are small and are healing well. I thought I might be out of action for quite a period of time but the experience has been very different: I was up and walking in a couple of days.
“I didn’t know what to expect, not having had an operation since I was a child – but in terms of recovery, it has been far quicker than I anticipated.
“I was discharged with painkillers but other than some paracetamol on a couple of days, I haven’t needed to rely on them at all,” he added.
