Sheffield introduces surgical robot to advance cancer care
- 24 April 2026
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS FT has introduced a robotic-assisted surgery system to advance cancer care
- The dual console da Vinci Xi surgical system was funded by a £1.45m donation from Sheffield Hospitals Charity
- Research by the Royal College of Surgeons of England found a lack of funding for robotic surgery, with some trusts relying on charity donations
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has introduced a new robotic-assisted surgery system to advance cancer care.
Northern General Hospital has purchased a dual console da Vinci Xi surgical system from Intuitive, following a £1.45 million donation from Sheffield Hospitals Charity, the largest single donation from the charity.
The technology allows surgeons work in hard-to-reach areas using robotic-assisted arms with flexible, tiny wristed instruments and a high-definition 3D view allowing for fewer and less invasive incisions, faster recovery and shorter hospital stays..
Kirsten Major, chief executive at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We were an early pioneer of robotic-assisted surgery in the UK, with the first procedures for bladder cancer patients performed at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in 2013.
“So, it’s fantastic to now have the new da Vinci Xi robot at the Northern General Hospital thanks to the incredible generosity of Sheffield Hospitals Charity and their supporters.
“Expanding access to robotic-assisted surgery is one of the key ambitions of the NHS Ten Year Plan, so the introduction of this newest robot and surgical system represents another significant step forward in advancing patient care for those in Sheffield and beyond. It also reaffirms our commitment to innovation.”
The robot is controlled by the surgeon who sits at a console with hand and foot controls and a magnified high-definition 3D view of the surgical site
It will be used for a range of minimally invasive surgical procedures, including general, thoracic (lung), colorectal cancer, hepatobiliary (pancreas/liver), upper gastrointestinal (oesophagus/stomach), and endocrinology and to treat cancerous tumours in the lung, oesophagus, stomach, bowel, liver, and pancreas.
The introduction was celebrated in unique style as the robot and surgical system was used to perform the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, using its advanced precision controls to snip the ribbon.
The first procedures were performed last week and included three cholecystectomies (gall bladder operations), and the first thoracic procedures included a lung lobectomy and a lung segmentectomy for the treatment of patients with lung cancer.
Beth Crackles, chief executive at Sheffield Hospitals Charity, said: “Sheffield Hospitals Charity is proud to have contributed £1.45 million to bring this robot surgical system to the Northern General Hospital.
“It is the largest single donation we have ever made and one that reflects our confidence in the life‑changing impact this technology will have for patients and the NHS.
“Made possible by the generosity of thousands of supporters, this technology is a gamechanger for those undergoing cancer surgery in Sheffield.
“Moreover, it will enable more people to access minimally invasive surgery closer to home, helping patients recover faster, and return to everyday life sooner.
“It is a powerful example of what can be achieved when a community comes together to support its NHS.”
Analysis by the Royal College of Surgeons of England found patients are facing a “postcode lottery” in access to robotic-assisted surgery with a lack of clear funding routes, and several trusts such as Sheffield Teaching Hospitals having to rely on charity donations.
