New robot assisted surgical system installed at The Clementine Churchill

Circle Health Group has become the first in the sector to install Intuitive’s da Vinci 5 Surgical System.

The robotic-assisted system is now operational at The Clementine Churchill hospital in Harrow. Designed to support minimally invasive procedures across specialties including general surgery, urology and gynaecology, the system incorporates significantly increased computing capacity compared with previous versions and uses AI to analyse case data and provide insights intended to support surgical training and outcomes.

Evidence cited by Intuitive indicates that patients undergoing robotic-assisted surgery using da Vinci systems experience shorter hospital stays, reduced post-operative complications and mortality, and fewer blood transfusions compared with open or laparoscopic surgery.

More than 300,000 patients in the UK and Ireland have undergone procedures performed with the assistance of a da Vinci system.

The hospital said the introduction of the system forms part of plans to expand the use of advanced surgical technology at the 98-bed facility and to support growth in services for both UK and international patients.

The Clementine Churchill Hospital executive director Lisa Trybus said: ‘Our ambition is to create a centre of excellence where advanced technology meets compassionate care delivered by some of the world’s leading experts in robotic-assisted surgery. To be the first private hospital in the UK to welcome a da Vinci 5 is a pivotal and exciting moment for all of us here at The Clementine Churchill Hospital.’

Circle Health Group CEO Paul Manning said: ‘Patients are increasingly looking to access high-quality services that are supported by the latest technology. We are committed to ensuring that our facilities and services continue to meet the needs of patients today and tomorrow. Welcoming the first da Vinci 5 system to the private sector in the UK reflects our desire to be an industry leader in robotics and innovative surgical technology that delivers outstanding outcomes to our patients.’