News / Health
Helping robots save lives at Southmead Hospital
Tiny pieces of modelling clay sit within a see-through plastic box moulded into the shape of an igloo the size of a hoover.
Inside, four pincers work dexterously to move shapes around the box, like chopsticks maneuvering around the plate at a Chinese restaurant.
But this is a practice session for lifesaving surgery rather than your next mouthful of spring rolls.
is needed now More than ever
The robot pincers are not working independently, however.
Here at a special demonstration in the atrium of Southmead Hospital, children from Horfield Primary School are taking it in turns to have a go, supervised by the doctors who carry out the pioneering work at the hospital.
Lead consultant urologist Anthony Koupparis is one of those doctors, now helping to raise £2 million to purchase two new robots for the hospital to meet growing demand, and also fund new treatment options while supporting the training of the next generation of robotic surgeons.
“We have got one of the best robot surgical services in the country at Southmead,” says Koupparis, who jokes that his job is justification for a misspent youth playing computer games on the Commodore 64 and Spectrum 48K.
He explains that rather like the former Rover car manufacturer, spare parts are no longer made for the hospital’s current robot, further highlighting the need for a new model which will give thousands more men the very best prospect of recovery and survival from prostate cancer.
As the schoolchildren continue to play at being surgeons, Koupparis highlights the benefits of robotic surgery: it’s more accurate, less invasive, causes less blood loss, reduces the length of stay in hospital and gives men much better prospects for a full recovery.
The Prostate Cancer Care Appeal is Southmead Hospital Charity’s biggest ever appeal, says trust and major donor manager Liz Bond.
Pointing to the children, she says: “It’s lovely to bring people in from the community, to have that connection with our local school. They are completely engaged. This event shows them what great things are happening on their doorstep.”
To find out more and to donate to the appeal, visit www.southmeadhospitalcharity.org.uk/prostate
Read more: Bristol robots to help elderly