We’re the first Trust in London to provide a robotic training course for our higher surgical trainees, after investing in two new surgical robots.

There are only around 35 hospitals in the UK offering robotic colorectal surgery and we are lucky enough to have a da Vinci Xi robot at each of our sites. However, training to use the da Vinci Surgical System is mainly focused on consultants.

To give some of our trainees a chance to learn more, Niroo Rajendran, colorectal and robotic surgery lead at our Trust, helped arrange a training programme for several of our surgical registrars.

He said: “I was mindful whilst it's important consultants move through their learning curves on the da Vinci, our surgeons of the future need to learn too. Alongside colleagues Richard Boulton and Samrat Mukherjee, we set up a training programme and a course for our surgical registrars who are on the path to becoming consultants.

“We are the first Trust in London to provide this type of training on the da Vinci system and moving forward I would like to ensure all relevant registrars can benefit from this type of specialised training.”

Reena Suresh, who took part in the training, said “I feel very fortunate to be one of the first surgical registrars in London to have access to this. It was really good to practise using the controls out of the hospital setting. I was able to focus on learning and not worry about having to rush to a patient. It was also really nice to have our experienced surgeons in the room because they provided further on the spot advice on how best to use the robot.”

Pam Chaichanavichkij, who was also on the course, added: “The simulation training gave me excellent hands-on experience with the robot. This training will definitely help me when I am in theatre because I understand the logic behind robot parts and can troubleshoot any equipment issues that might arise. This is important for patient safety and my own confidence.

“Our Trust is ahead of many of its peers in terms of robotic colorectal surgery and will be in the position to train junior surgeons in robotic surgery. This will give its trainees an advantage in robotic surgery in the future, and we will all be expected to operate in this way as future consultants.”

The da Vinci Surgical System systems allow surgeons to perform complex minimally invasive operations with improved visualisation and with greater manoeuvrability and precision. This lends itself to less blood-loss during the procedure, less post-operative pain, a quicker recovery time and a shorter stay in hospital.

Our first da Vinci surgical robot was funded by a £1.8m donation from the King George and Queen’s Hospital Charity.

Pictured top are our higher surgical trainees with consultants Niroo Rajendran (far left) next to Richard Boulton and Samrat Mukherjee (second right).