The Monash Health Foundation is pleased to announce that thanks to the extraordinary generosity of an anonymous donor, Monash Health is set to purchase its first robotic surgical system.
The gift of $4.2 million is the largest single donation ever received by the health service and will ensure Monash Health continues to deliver world-class care to patients now and into the future.
To be installed at Casey Hospital, the equipment will initially be utilised for urology, colorectal and gynaecological surgeries; however, it has the scope to support a broader range of surgeries in the future.
The surgical robot translates a surgeon’s hand movements in real-time at the console positioned within the operating theatre, allowing them to perform the procedure with greater precision than in the more traditional open surgical techniques, meaning it is less invasive, which has a range of benefits to the patient and the health service.
The benefits of minimally invasive robotic surgical systems are impressive, with patients experiencing a reduced length of stay (LOS) in hospital, shorter recovery times, lower risk of blood loss during surgery and a reduction in post-operative pain.
Dr Scott Donnellan, Director of Urology at Monash Health, has long been a passionate advocate for this equipment to be installed at Monash Health and is thrilled that he will soon be able to treat patients living with various urological conditions, including prostate cancer using this technology.
“I am very much looking forward to being able to perform surgeries using the robot, it will be very rewarding to see the majority of my patients recover so quickly from major surgeries such as a Prostatectomy in just 1-2 days.”
“To receive such a generous gift means so much to me, my team, and, of course, the hundreds of patients who will now experience less invasive procedures and shorter recovery periods each year,” says Dr Donnellan.
Ron Fairchild, Director of the Monash Health Foundation says he is incredibly grateful to have had a donor come forward who was so enthusiastically willing to help fund this critical equipment.
“Knowing how long Dr Donnellan and his team have been hoping to obtain one of these robots and the many benefits the equipment will bring to our patients, makes securing such a generous gift all the more special,” says Ron.
Beyond the immediate improvement in patient outcomes, the arrival of the surgical robot system will see an increase in the number of urological laparoscopic surgeries the team will be able to perform year on year, meaning patients no longer need to venture away from Monash Health for treatment.
Professor Eugine Yafele, Chief Executive Officer, says that acquiring the surgical robot system will further maintain Monash Health’s position as a leader in healthcare innovation, patient care, and surgical education.
“We are delighted and overwhelmed with gratitude to receive such a generous gift from one of Monash Health’s donors. The positive impact this equipment will have on our surgical team and patients is immeasurable, and we are looking forward to its arrival,” says Professor Yafele.
“To be able to ensure minimally invasive surgery and continuity of care for patients receiving treatment for cancer and other urological conditions is incredibly important to us at Monash Health. This technology will allow that continuity and will ultimately improve patient outcomes.”
We look forward to sharing further details once the system arrives at Casey Hospital.
