By Sohaib Shams
Glasgow's Royal Hospital for Children has become the first dedicated children's hospital in the world to own a surgical robot exclusively for paediatric patients, following a £1.5 million donation from the Coldstones Charitable Trust.
Versius Plus robot enhances precision for complex conditions
The Versius Plus system will be used for keyhole surgery on complex cancer, urology, abdominal, thoracic and gastrointestinal cases. Doctors say the robot provides greater access during minimally invasive procedures, reducing pain and scarring while helping children return to everyday life more quickly.
Charitable funding enables pioneering programme
The donation was made to Hi Scotland, the innovation arm of Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity, to fund the paediatric robotic surgery programme. An evaluation phase saw surgeons complete more than 30 procedures with the robot. Consultant paediatric surgeon Michael Jacovides, clinical lead for the programme, said robotic-assisted surgery will increasingly become part of children's care and that Glasgow is now a leader in the field. Kirsten Watson, chief executive of Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity, described the donation as enabling a genuinely pioneering programme for children's healthcare.
Although the Versius system is available to some paediatric patients elsewhere through shared facilities in adult hospitals, Glasgow is believed to be the first children's hospital to purchase and own the system solely for paediatric use.
