'I can move on with life'- first robot heart op patient

A patient has expressed his gratitude to the NHS after receiving life-saving robotic heart surgery.

Paul Wickens, from Kent, was one of the first patients at St George's Hospital in Tooting, south London, to undergo robotic-assisted artery bypass surgery, a procedure which reduces recovery time for heart patients.

After living with the condition for 24 years, Wickens' symptoms had deteriorated in recent years, leaving him "tearful" over what this could mean for his health.

"I am so grateful and lucky to be born in a time when such technology has come to the fore," the 66-year-old said. "I can't thank the team enough – my symptoms have gone and I can move on with my life."

Wickens underwent robotic coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in December with the assistance of a surgical robot at St George's.

Robotic-assisted surgery is less invasive as well as more precise, and results in fewer patient complications, lower re-admission rates and shorter stays in hospital, a spokesperson for St George's says.

Dr Richard Jennings, group chief medical officer for St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group, said: "Paul is one of many patients we expect to treat with robotic-assisted surgery in the coming years, in a major step forward for our hospitals."

More patients like Wickens across Surrey and London will benefit from the new surgical system which is now at Epsom Hospital, part funded by Epsom and St Helier Hospitals Charity (ESHHC), enabling surgeons to carry out more life-saving procedures on hundreds of patients every year. the hospital says.

It is expected to treat about 300 patients in its first year, rising to over 550 annually as more surgeons complete specialist training.

Molly Simpson, head of charity and fundraising for ESHHC said: "Thanks to our generous donors and fundraisers, we're able to make every penny count and deliver real benefits for patients."

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