The Shelford Group has announced a major expansion of its Surgical Training in Advanced Robotic Technology (START) programme, extending accredited, platform-agnostic robotic surgery training to surgical trainees across the South East of England. Already available in the North East, North West and East of England, START will now be offered in Thames Valley, Wessex and Kent, Surrey and Sussex from the 2026/27 academic year.
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will lead delivery across Thames Valley and Wessex. Kent, Surrey and Sussex will become the first region outside the Shelford Group network to adopt the programme in its own right, with training being delivered at the MATTU (Minimal Access Therapy Training Unit), part of the Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
The expansion comes as the Government’s 10 Year Health Plan for England commits the NHS to adopting robotic-assisted surgery as standard for an expanded range of procedures over the next decade. NHS England has set a national ambition for 9 in 10 keyhole surgeries to be delivered with robot assistance within 10 years, up from around 1 in 5 today, with robotic surgery becoming the default for many operations.
The expansion marks the next phase of growth for the nationally recognised programme, which was formally launched in December 2025, accredited by the Royal College of Surgeons of England in March 2026, and is supported by the Association of Surgeons in Training (ASiT).
The decision follows a successful pilot in the North East, North West and East of England, where feedback from trainees and industry partners has been positive, and phase two of the programme pilot is now nearing completion.
Developed by the Shelford Group in partnership with the Newcastle Surgical Training Centre, START is designed to deliver comprehensive, standardised surgical robotics training across Intuitive’s da Vinci, CMR Surgical’s Versius and the Medtronic Hugo RAS surgical system.
Jonathan Brotherton, Chief Executive of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and Chair of the Shelford Group said: “Robotic-assisted surgery is transforming the way healthcare is delivered across a growing number of specialties. As adoption accelerates across the NHS, it is essential that we equip the next generation of surgeons with the skills, confidence and experience needed to work in increasingly technology-enabled operating theatres.
“The success of the START pilot has demonstrated the value of a coordinated national approach to robotic surgery training. We are delighted to expand the programme into Thames Valley, Wessex and Kent, Surrey and Sussex, extending access to high-quality training and helping to build the future workforce needed to support advances in patient care.”
Mr Tim Lane, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS England) said: “Training in Robotic Surgery can no longer be the preserve of Fellowship programs alone. Robot-assisted surgery is rapidly establishing itself as an essential component of routine surgical practice, and it is crucial that all our future surgeons have equitable access to this very necessary part of the surgical curriculum. The Shelford Surgical Training in Advanced Robotic Technology (START) programme is an excellent example of collaborative innovation, supporting the development of a surgical workforce that is confident, capable and ready to embrace the opportunities of robotic assisted surgery to deliver the improved patient outcomes we all strive for.”
Professor Stella Vig, National Clinical Director for Elective Care at NHS England and Co-chair of Robotic Surgery Steering Committee (NHS England) said: “The NHS has set a clear ambition to expand access to robotic-assisted surgery over the next decade, with robotic surgery becoming the default for many keyhole procedures. To deliver that safely and equitably, we need to ensure the next generation of surgeons is trained to use these technologies confidently and effectively.
“The START programme is an important example of how the NHS can support that shift, by equipping surgical trainees with the skills they will need for the future and helping services prepare for wider adoption of robotic-assisted surgery across England.”
Professor Alan Horgan, Director of the Newcastle Surgical Training Centre and Clinical Lead for START, said: “The NHS is entering a new era of surgical innovation. Robotic surgery is already delivering benefits for patients across many specialties, and its use is expected to grow significantly over the coming decade.
“START provides a robust, accredited framework for training surgeons in these technologies and has attracted exceptional engagement from trainees, trainers and partners alike. 80% of trainees who completed the programme through the Newcastle Surgical Training Centre have been appointed as consultant surgeons with regular robotic surgical lists. The other 20% have gone on to do advanced fellowships to gain further subspecialty experience. Expanding the programme into new regions is an important milestone on our journey towards creating a scalable model for robotic surgery education.”
Emily Mills, President of the Association of Surgeons in Training said: “For trainees, access to high-quality robotic surgery training is essential as these technologies become an increasingly important part of modern surgical practice. START provides a structured, Royal College of Surgeons of England-accredited, platform-agnostic training pathway that helps trainees build confidence, develop transferable technical skills and gain exposure to technologies that will increasingly shape surgical practice across the NHS.
“From a trainee perspective, the expansion of START is a very positive step. It will give more surgical trainees earlier and more consistent access to robotic surgery training, helping to ensure the future workforce is prepared for safe, effective and innovative surgical practice.”
