A new robotic-assisted surgery programme at St John's Hospital in Limerick city has broadened patient access to advanced precision technology.
St John’s is the first model 2 hospital in Ireland offering robotic-assisted procedures to public patients.
An initiative that changes how patients access surgical care in the region, the programme was made possible through the Mid-Western Hospitals Development Trust and the financial support of the JP McManus Pro-Am 2022.
The first cases were successfully completed in St John’s in January this year.
Twelve patients have had procedures to date, with the hospital initially focusing on general surgery and colorectal patients, with plans to expand to gynaecology and urology patients.
St John’s is also the first hospital in Ireland to use CMR Surgical’s Versius system, which is designed to enhance surgeons’ capabilities by mimicking the human arm.
Versius features fully wristed instruments that provide surgeons and surgical teams the freedom to perform complex procedures.
Its compact, modular design makes it portable between operating rooms and flexible to set up.
By enabling more procedures to be performed via keyhole surgery, HSE Mid-West says Versius should enable a number of benefits, including reduced pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times.
Barry Kelly from Miltown Malbay, Co Clare, became the first patient to undergo a robotic-assisted procedure at St John’s Hospital when consultant colorectal and general surgeon Prof Christina Fleming carried out a robotic inguinal hernia repair.
For Mr Kelly, who leads a very active life both in managing deliveries at Aldi in Ennistymon and as a well-known Gaelic football referee, shorter recovery time was a key consideration.
"When I first met Christina, she explained to me the various options we had for surgery and ran me through the risks and complications. She recommended the robot as possibly the best way forward," he said.
"The main benefit for me was I was out quicker. I was actually home on the same day," Mr Kelly said.
Chairperson of the Mid-Western Hospitals Development Trust Declan Madden said the Trust is delighted to be associated with what is the first Versius surgical robotic system in Ireland.
"The donation of the overall robotic programme was made possible, by the generous support from the JP McManus Pro-Am 2022," Mr Madden said, thanking the McManus family for their continued support.
"The introduction of the Versius surgical robotic system will provide patients of the mid west region with optimal surgical treatment. This state-of-the art technology is an essential part of the infrastructure required in a modern hospital setting," Mr Madded said.
Robotic surgery in Ireland has to date largely been the domain of private healthcare and large teaching hospitals such as UHL.
Chief Executive Officer at St John’s Hospital Emer Martin said the introduction of the system has been very beneficial for the surgical team, collaborating with colleagues in the mid west health region to deliver on the project together.
Foundation Chair of Surgery at the University of Limerick School of Medicine and general and colorectal surgeon Prof J Calvin Coffey pioneered the delivery of robotic-assisted surgery for patients in the Mid West since 2016.
"Until now, robotic surgery has largely been reserved for long, complex procedures in major university hospitals. However, the majority of operations are shorter and less complex. The introduction of Versius changes that.
"It brings the benefits of robotic precision—smaller incisions, faster recovery, earlier discharge—to a much broader group of patients. In practical terms, it means more people can return to their families and normal lives sooner," he said.
