NHS trusts implement robotic surgery and automation technologies

NHS trusts in the United Kingdom are advancing the integration of automation and robotic technology to improve clinical efficiency and patient outcomes.

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is implementing an intelligent automation programme. Key initiatives include ambient voice technology, robotic process automation in maternity and outpatient services, and the deployment of Microsoft Copilot licenses. The trust is also developing a business case for a single Electronic Patient Record (EPR) across acute providers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, expected to be considered in September 2026.

Separately, the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust has expanded its use of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford. The technology, which allows for more precise keyhole surgery, has helped reduce patient hospital stays. The trust reported a milestone in June where five gallbladder operations were completed in a single day using the robotic system. Since introducing RAS in 2023, the trust has operated on nearly 1,000 patients.