Robots to lend a hand at Dearne Valley hospital

DEARNE and Don Valley patients undergoing keyhole surgery will be given a helping hand thanks to the arrival of a robotic arm.

Staff at Montagu Hospital in Mexborough have welcomed the new £17,000 freehand robotic camera controller which provides surgeons with a clear, magnified view of the part of the body that they are operating on. 

It also means that they can control the camera remotely so they do not need a surgical assistant alongside them in the operating theatre.

The robotic controller will be used during a range of keyhole surgery procedures including gall bladder removal and hernia repair.

Mr Niraj Khetan, consultant general surgeon, said: “The equipment will provide additional support in ensuring that patients receive high-quality surgical care.

“It will also reduce delays in waiting for a surgical assistant.”

The robotic arm has been paid for by The Mexborough Montagu Hospital Comforts Fund—a charitable organisation that was founded in 1948 to benefit patients, staff and other hospital users by providing amenities that cannot be funded by the NHS.

Volunteers fund-raise in a variety of ways including the tea bar at Montagu Hospital and the Mexborough Montagu Hospital Charity Football Cup.  It also receives individual donations and legacies.

“We are very grateful to the Mexborough Montagu Hospital Comforts Fund for their generosity in funding the purchase of this new equipment,” added Mr Khetan.

For further information about the charity visit www.montaguhospitalcomfortsfund.org.uk.