AQW 32421/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health to detail the number of patients who received robotic-assisted surgery, in 2023-2024, broken down by gender.
Asked by Nuala McAllister MLA on 30 September 2025
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 30 September 2025
- Answer due by
- 15 October 2025
- Answered
- 21 October 202521 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Robotic-assisted surgery is a surgical model of care which is being adopted by many surgical specialities and was introduced into Belfast Health and Social Care Trust in 2018 within the specialty of Urology.
Other surgical specialties, including Gynaecology and Colorectal, are now in a similar position to Urology in considering utilising Robotic-assisted surgery.
In 2023/24, 242 robotic assisted surgery procedures were completed by Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, with 198 male patients and 44 female patients. The majority of procedures were completed within the speciality of Urology. In 2023/24 South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust completed 8 procedures, with 3 male and 5 female patients. This service is delivered in the Ulster Independent Clinic, by a South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust Colorectal Surgeon who is trained in robotic assisted surgery.