A new robotic-assisted surgery programme at St John’s Hospital has broadened patient access to advanced precision technology associated with improved outcomes and shorter recovery times.
An initiative that changes how patients access surgical care in the region, this programme was made possible through the activities of 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 and with plans in place to shortly expand to gynaecology and urology patients.
St John’s also uses CMR Surgical’s Versius system. 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, Versius should enable benefits including reduced pain, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times.
On 28 January, Barry Kelly from Miltown Malbay, County 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 and I said we might as well have a go. But once she said I would be the first one done in St John’s, I said we’ll definitely have a go so. The Clare lads like to get in first.
“This is the world we are living in now with robotics and technology. It’s the way forward. The main benefit for me was I was out quicker. I was actually home on the same day. That’s how good it is. Another big plus for me was that it meant a bed was freed up for someone else. When you think of hospitals, you think of overcrowding and people who are waiting for a bed. But I was on my way home at 6pm and I wasn’t taking up a bed when there are plenty who need it more than me.”
The Kelly family have made a huge contribution to Clare sport, with brothers Gordon and Graham lining out for the senior intercounty football team and sister Diane making it to an All-Ireland final. Barry’s niece Abi is an Ireland U-18 rugby international representing her country in the Six Nations. For Barry, the shorter recovery time associated with robotic-assisted surgery meant he was back on the field as a linesman within three weeks of surgery and back officiating as referee within six weeks.
Patients such as Barry are seeing these considerable benefits thanks to the generosity of the JP McManus Pro-Am, who have supported the institution of this cutting edge programme , having also generously supported the earlier robotic surgery programme at University Hospital Limerick in 2016.
Declan Madden, Chairperson of the Mid-Western Hospitals Development Trust, noted how:
“the Mid-Western Hospitals Development Trust is delighted to be associated with this Versius surgical robotic system. “The Mid-Western Hospitals Development Trust acknowledges and thanks the JP McManus Pro-Am 2022 and the McManus family for their continued, invaluable support it provides to the region’s hospitals for the benefit of patients. This is an exciting time for St John’s Hospital. The introduction of the Versius surgical robotic system will provide patients of the Mid West region with optimal surgical treatment.”
Emer Martin, Chief Executive Officer, St John’s Hospital, noted how they were:
“delighted to be introducing the Versius system. From the clinicians to the various healthcare partners involved, everyone has been very supportive of this initiative. It has been very beneficial for our surgical team, collaborating with colleagues in the Mid West health region to deliver on this great project together.”
Prof J Calvin Coffey, Foundation Chair of Surgery at the University of Limerick School of Medicine and general and colorectal surgeon, has pioneered the delivery of robotic-assisted surgery for patients in the Mid West since 2016.
Commenting on the latest chapter in that evolution at St John’s, Prof Coffey said that:
“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.”