Da Vinci Robot Cuts Endometriosis Surgery Waits in NI — SkimNews
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- Da Vinci gynae robot became operational at Belfast City Hospital in May, performing 130 surgeries to date — 105 for complex endometriosis — reducing delays in critical care.
- Belfast Health Trust funded the £2.4m Da Vinci robot through charitable donations, enabling priority treatment for complex gynaecological cases without being displaced by cancer surgeries.
- Dr Hans Nagar stated the robot allows precise, minimally invasive surgery in tight pelvic spaces, improving outcomes for women who previously faced multi-year waits for specialist care.
- Health Minister Robbie Butler will announce a £1.95m investment to improve endometriosis services, including £700,000 for two regional centres at Belfast City and Altnagelvin hospitals.
- Colleen Crothers underwent a hysterectomy and bowel shave after 22 years of undiagnosed endometriosis, missing the robot’s arrival by weeks but now living nearly pain-free.
- Lauren Best, a theatre nurse, observed that Da Vinci leads to less scarring and faster recovery, helping women return to daily life more quickly than with conventional surgery.
Why it matters: Women in Northern Ireland have faced up to seven-year waits for complex endometriosis surgery, often resulting in irreversible health impacts like infertility. The Da Vinci robot and £1.95m in new funding directly reduce treatment delays and improve surgical precision, changing the trajectory for future patients who previously risked long-term disability or loss of fertility.
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