Aberdeen research transforms national policy on the use of robots in prostate surgery

Description of impact

Robotic assisted surgery can improve patient outcomes and change the way that surgical services are delivered. An Aberdeen led project undertook a novel economic modelling assessment to determine the relative clinical- and cost-effectiveness of robotic removal of the prostate compared with standard removal in the treatment of men with localised prostate cancer. The study demonstrated that robotic removal had lower complications with probable improvement in longer term outcomes; and that the large cost of the robot could be offset by maintaining a high case volume for each robotic system. The findings directly informed the funding of robotic surgery in Scotland; national and international guidelines; and the Clinical Commissioning of robots in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The number of surgical robots increased from 10 to 55 in the UK, resulting in over GBP60 million of sales to the company provider, and transforming surgical services for prostatectomies across the UK. This led to better informed public policy-making and improved public services and improved patient care for 9000 patients with prostate cancer every year since 2014 and has catalysed the expansion of robotic services in Scotland to other clinical indications.

Who is affected by, or benefits from, the research?

Patients. Healthcare workers. Policy Makers.

Outcomes to Date / Future Developments

The findings directly informed the funding of robotic surgery in Scotland; national and international guidelines; the Clinical Commissioning of robots in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and underpinned expansion of robot use to other procedures. The study led to better informed public policy-making and improved public services and improved patient care for 9000 patients with prostate cancer every year since 2014 and has informed the expansion of robotic services in Scotland to other clinical indications.

Impact status	Impact Completed (Open)
Impact date	2010 → 2020
Category of impact	Policy, Health and Wellbeing, Societal
Stage of Impact	Adoption