The first ever patient to undergo colorectal surgery using a robot in East Lancashire has returned to thank surgeons for giving him the gift of life.
Frank Steele, 83, underwent robotic surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his colon and credits the technology for a speedy recovery.
He addressed 50 delegates, including other patients, surgeons and clinicians, who gathered for a conference celebrating 10 years of robotic surgery in East Lancashire.
A former professional footballer and Royal Mail worker, Frank said: “Robotic surgery has changed everything for me, the recovery was faster than I expected and I was back to my normal routine in no time.
“Thanks to the robotic surgery, I didn’t need chemotherapy or a stoma which I am extremely grateful for and meant that just two months later I was able to go on holiday to Mallorca.”
At the time he was not aware he was actually the first person to have that procedure robotically. He added: “I am glad I didn’t know at the time as I would have been even more nervous, but now I do I am extremely proud to be the first.
“But, more importantly, I am so grateful to surgeon Mr Sheikh and his team for giving me the opportunity to have that level of treatment. I am certain I would not be here today if I had not had the surgery in the way that I did and the aftercare was also incredible with the ward calling me regularly to check on how I was doing.
“I have so much to thank Mr Sheikh for and, indeed, the robot.”
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust became the first hospital in Lancashire to introduce robotic-assisted surgery with the installation of a £1.3 million Da Vinci surgical robot in June 2015.
Consultant Colorectal Surgeon and Co-Chair of the Robotic steering group for ELHT, Mr Adnan Sheikh said: “What began with robotic prostatectomies has evolved into a comprehensive programme which now encompasses hepatobiliary, colorectal, head and neck cancer procedures, urology, and gynaecology surgeries.”
“Thanks to the generosity of local people and businesses who have fundraised via the Trust’s charity ELHT&Me, we now have three robots across our Blackburn and Burnley hospital sites. This has meant that the number of procedures we have been able to carry out each year has doubled since 2021.
“This also gives us one of the best theatre utilisation figures across the UK with shorter hospital stays and significantly fewer post operative complications when compared to conventional methods such as laparoscopic and open surgery.”
Chief Executive for ELHT, Martin Hodgson added: “Over the past 10 years, ELHT has performed more than 3,000 robotic procedures, significantly improving patient outcomes and reducing recovery times. The Trust’s commitment to innovation has positioned it as one of the most efficient robotic surgery centres in the UK and a regional hub for complex surgery.
“Everything we do at ELHT is about giving our patients the best care and outcomes possible and robotic surgery has not only transformed how we operate - it’s transformed lives.
“As the NHS continues to embrace technology to improve care, which features heavily in the NHS 10 Year Health Plan, ELHT remains ahead of the curve, demonstrating how innovation, dedication and patient-centred care can work hand-in-hand to deliver exceptional results.”
To mark the 10 year anniversary, a special event was hosted, with guest speakers including patients who had received robotic surgery at the Trust, consultants who highlighted achievements and future plans, and demonstration of the Da Vinci systems. The event was sponsored by Intuitive Surgical, the company who build the robots.