GIRFT’s first four pathways for procedures where robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) is increasingly being used are now available to NHS clinical and theatre teams.
GIRFT is working with a range of specialty associations to develop the procedure-specific pathways in specialties where there is an increasing implementation of RAS, aiming to accelerate the use of RAS for higher volume surgery.
The first four pathways are for:
Other pathways for hip and knee arthroplasty, cholecystectomy, thyroidectomy, mucosectomy, oropharyngeal resection and benign oropharyngeal resection are also in development.
Robotic-assisted surgery is a type of surgery in which robotic technologies are used to support the work of the surgeon. Although RAS has been available for over 20 years, the associated costs have impacted uptake in the NHS, with its use historically limited to a small number of complex operations for cancer. Uptake is now accelerating rapidly, with RAS being used to perform surgery in benign conditions and less complex higher volume procedures.
The new GIRFT pathways outline good practice across the patient pathway from triage to discharge, and include information and useful links on areas such as contraindications, surgeon training, preoperative processes and documentation.
The collection of RAS pathways is being developed by the GIRFT and NHS England RAS steering group, chaired by John McGrath, with representatives from the surgical Royal Colleges, Department of Health and Social Care, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and NICE, to support the further adoption and implementation of RAS in the NHS.
In May 2025, the group shared overarching RAS guidance describing the objectives and principles for robust and equitable service planning and design, as well as setting standards for safe implementation, workforce training and evaluation.
