Will the Minister provide an update on the use of robot-assisted surgery in Wales?
There are a number of different robotic-assisted surgical systems deployed across health boards in Wales, such as the Da Vinci robotic system in Cardiff which provides a prostatectomy service for south Wales. In addition to this, the Welsh Government has funded a national robotic surgery programme to introduce a new generation of robotic surgery systems to Wales.
This programme has already started in Betsi Cadwaladr and Cardiff & Vale University Health Boards. The programme has so far been used to deliver robotic-assisted surgery for colorectal and gynaecological cancers. The Programme recently reached a milestone by delivering the first 100 procedures. I look forward to other health boards taking part in the national programme in the years ahead.