CORNWALL’S first-ever soft tissue robotic surgical system procedure was carried out on Monday (July 6), marking a major milestone for patient care in the county.

The momentous occasion, which took place at the Royal Cornwall Hospital (Treliske) in Truro – part of Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) - was the culmination of years of planning, investment and specialist training, bringing pioneering robotic-assisted surgery to patients closer to home.

The new system allows surgeons to operate with enhanced precision in small, difficult-to-reach areas of the body. The technology is expected to benefit patients undergoing treatment for a range of conditions, from cancers of the digestive and urinary systems to endometriosis and some metabolic conditions.

The successful procedure marks the beginning of a new chapter for surgical services in Cornwall, with hundreds of patients expected to benefit from robotic-assisted surgery in the years ahead.

James Clark, divisional chair for surgery and lead for the Soft Tissue Robotic Surgical Programme, said the team had undergone world-class training in Belgium ahead of the inaugural procedure. “While the operation itself is the same, the dexterity the robot offers is far above what a human hand can attain,” he added.

“With improved vision and enhanced capabilities, we expect to see patients recover more quickly and to be able to offer procedures we’ve previously not be able to do in Cornwall. It’s fantastic for patients that we are able to offer the quality of the best robotic surgery locally, rather than them having to travel out of county.”

This robotic surgery has been made possible through £2 million of NHS England funding, alongside strong support from local communities, Rotary Clubs across Cornwall, the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity, charity fundraisers and campaigners who championed the introduction of the technology.