GIRFT and NHS England are developing a structured framework and guidance to support the adoption and implementation of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) in the NHS.

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. However, uptake is now accelerating rapidly, with RAS being used to perform surgery in benign conditions (including orthopaedic RAS) as well as less complex higher volume procedures.

The RAS steering group, led by John McGrath and with representatives from the surgical Royal Colleges, Department of Health and Social Care, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and NICE, has developed overarching guidance. This guidance describes the objectives and principles for robust and equitable service planning and design, as well as setting standards for safe implementation, workforce training and evaluation.

GIRFT is working with the relevant specialty associations to develop procedure specific guidance and pathways for specialties where there is an increasing implementation of RAS.