- £7.4 million awarded to Newcastle Surgical Training Centre for a new robotics adoption hub to help NHS hospitals across the UK introduce robotic surgery safely and effectively.
- Robotic surgery can have significant benefits for patients, helping them to recover more quickly and experience less pain.
- NHS England expects robotic-assisted operations to grow significantly over the next decade.
- Funding strengthens the centre’s position as a leader in healthcare innovation and training.
A Newcastle-based advanced surgical training centre has secured £7.4 million to help hospitals across the country make the best use of robotic technology in surgery.
The £7.4 million programme is funded through the Robotics Adoption programme, delivered by Innovate UK and part of the UKRI IS8 Advanced Manufacturing Programme.
It will enable the Newcastle Surgical Training Centre, part of Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, to establish a new national hub supporting NHS organisations as they introduce robotic surgery.
Robotic technology is increasingly being used by surgeons during operations. For some patients, robotic surgery can mean smaller incisions, less pain after surgery, reduced blood loss and faster recovery times. It can also help surgeons operate with greater precision.
The new robotic adoptions hub will help hospitals understand where this technology can bring the greatest benefits for patients and ensure it is introduced safely, effectively and in a way that offers value for the NHS.
The hub team will provide advice, training and support to organisations at every stage of the process, from assessing whether they are ready to use robotic technology through to staff training and evaluating its impact.
The investment comes as robotic surgery continues to grow across the NHS. NHS England expects the number of operations supported by robotic technology to increase significantly over the next decade, reaching around 500,000 a year by 2035.
The new Newcastle robotics adoption hub will help ensure that this growth is supported by strong evidence, high-quality training and safe clinical practice.
Professor David Deehan, consultant orthopaedic surgeon, co-founder and clinical director of the Newcastle Surgical Training Centre and clinical director of the surgical robotics adoption hub, said:
“This is a major opportunity for Newcastle, the North East and the NHS as a whole which recognises the expertise we have developed in robotic surgery, clinical education and innovation.
“Surgical robotics has the potential to transform surgical care for patients across the NHS, and it is important that decisions about its use are based on evidence and clinical need. Our surgical robotics adoption hub will help NHS organisations understand where they can make the biggest difference and support them to introduce this new technology safely and effectively.
“We are proud that Newcastle will lead this national programme and help shape the future of robotic surgery across the NHS.”
Professor Alan Horgan, consultant colorectal surgeon, co-founder and clinical director of the Newcastle Surgical Training Centre and clinical director of the surgical robotics adoption hub, said:
“The challenge is not simply introducing new technology but understanding how it can deliver the greatest benefits for patients and clinicians.
“We want to help hospitals make informed decisions, prepare their surgical workforce and learn from the experiences of others. By bringing together expertise from across the NHS, we can help ensure robotic surgery is introduced in a safe and sustainable way.”
“The surgical robotics adoption hub will lead this national programme, building on our extensive experience in advanced surgical training and innovation. This national resource will help ensure robotics is introduced safely, effectively and sustainably across the NHS.”
About Newcastle Surgical Training Centre
The Newcastle Surgical Training Centre is part of The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. It provides advanced surgical education and training for healthcare professionals.
The centre has developed particular expertise in minimally invasive and robotic surgery and supports the training and development of surgical teams using advanced technologies.
The £7.4 million programme for a robotics adoption hub is funded through the UK’s Robotics Adoption Programme, delivered by Innovate UK and part of the UKRI IS8 Advanced Manufacturing Programme..
NHS England and Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) reported that recorded robotic-assisted surgery in England increased from 3,099 procedures in 2011/2012 to more than 41,000 in 2023/2024. NHS England has projected that around 500,000 operations a year could be supported by robotic surgery by 2035.
About Innovate UK
Innovate UK is the UK’s innovation agency. It backs deep tech businesses in the UK’s priority sectors for national benefit, supporting their journey from startup to scaling business to industry leader. It provides the funding, expert support and connections to help breakthrough ideas reach their potential, improve lives and drive economic growth. Innovate UK is part of UK Research and Innovation.
