The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has granted conditional approval for 11 robotic surgery systems across the NHS in England. These systems, which range in cost from £500,000 to £1.5 million, are designed to perform precise and minimally invasive procedures, including knee and hip replacements, hernia repairs, tumour removals, and gallbladder surgeries. The approval is part of NICE’s Early Value Assessment programme, allowing the technologies to be used while further evidence is collected over the next three years to demonstrate their cost-effectiveness.
Patient organisations have highlighted several benefits of robotic surgery, such as faster recovery times, shorter hospital stays, quicker return to work, reduced pain, and less scarring compared to traditional surgery. These advantages contribute to increased hospital capacity and reduced waiting times for patients.
Dr. Anastasia Chalkidou, Programme Director of NICE’s HealthTech programme, emphasized that these technologies have the potential to transform both soft tissue and orthopaedic surgical care in the NHS. She noted that the data gathered over the next three years will help evaluate how these technologies can improve patient care and ensure NHS resources are directed toward interventions that deliver meaningful clinical benefits and long-term value to the health service.
The introduction of robotic surgery aligns with NHS England’s ten-year health plan, aiming to modernize healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes. A national strategy and guidance will be released to ensure safe and standardized implementation across NHS facilities, alongside necessary training to expand surgical expertise.
For more detailed information on the NICE Early Value Assessment programme and the approved robotic surgery systems, please refer to the official NICE guidance documents.
