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# Cutting edge robotic surgery systems approved by UK agency
- URL: https://med-techinsights.com/cutting-edge-robotic-surgery-systems-approved-by-uk-agency/
- Published: 2025-04-29T08:58:45.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-22T07:57:59.000Z
- Description: Chris Whitehouse, a political consultant and expert on medical technology policy and regulation at Whitehouse Communications, an advisor to MedTech suppliers, chair of the Urology Trade Association, and governor of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre, shares news of new robotic surgery systems approved by
- Author: Oliver Johnson
- Tags: Insights, Policy & Regulation

###### [***Chris Whitehouse***](https://med-techinsights.com/tag/chris-whitehouse/)***, a political consultant and expert on medical technology policy and regulation at*** [***Whitehouse Communications***](http://www.whitehousecomms.com/?ref=med-techinsights.com)***, an advisor to MedTech suppliers, chair of the*** [***Urology Trade Association,***](https://urologytradeassociation.com/?ref=med-techinsights.com) ***and governor of the*** [***Anscombe Bioethics Centre***](https://www.bioethics.org.uk/?ref=med-techinsights.com)***, shares news of new robotic surgery systems approved by NICE.***

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Eleven cutting-edge robotic surgery [systems have been approved](https://www.nice.org.uk/news/articles/cutting-edge-robotic-surgery-gets-green-light-as-11-systems-are-recommended?ref=med-techinsights.com) for use, potentially transforming care for thousands of NHS patients undergoing soft tissue and orthopaedic procedures, by the UK’s patient safety and value for money agency, NICE, the [**National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.**](https://www.nice.org.uk/?ref=med-techinsights.com)

NICE concluded the technology, which is capable of movements more precise than the human hand, has the potential to transform care for patients being operated on by surgeons in specialist NHS centres. 

Patient organisations, NICE reports, told its independent appraisal committee that faster recovery times, shorter hospital stays and quicker return to work were the biggest benefits of robotic surgery. Patients also reported experiencing less pain and reduced scarring compared with traditional surgery.

The 11 systems are approved for use in the UK’s National Health Service, but further evidence will be collected over the next three years demonstrating their cost-effectiveness for robot-assisted surgery, as part of NICE’s [Early Value Assessment](https://www.nice.org.uk/about/what-we-do/eva-for-medtech?ref=med-techinsights.com) process. That assessment will lead to the publication of a [Health Technology Evaluation](https://www.nice.org.uk/about/what-we-do/our-programmes/nice-guidance/nice-technology-appraisal-guidance/changes-to-health-technology-evaluation?ref=med-techinsights.com), the first of which, looking at [AI in analysis of X-rays for lung cancer](https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/hte12?ref=med-techinsights.com), came out in September 2023, and will increasingly be the approach adopted by NICE for MedTech devices.

Five systems for soft tissue procedures – such as hernia repair, removal of tumours, and gallbladder removal – and 6 for orthopaedic surgery – such as full and partial knee replacement procedures and hip replacements – have received conditional approval.

Dr Anastasia Chalkidou, programme director of NICE’s HealthTech programme said: ‘These innovative technologies have the potential to transform both soft tissue and orthopaedic surgical care in the NHS. The data gathered over the next three years will allow us to evaluate exactly how these technologies can improve patient care and help ensure NHS resources are directed toward interventions that deliver meaningful clinical benefits and long-term value to our health service.’

*The Author used AI in preparing this article. Comments upon or questions about this article can be addressed to* [*chris.whitehouse@whitehousecomms.com*](mailto:chris.whitehouse@whitehousecomms.com)*.*