A ROBOT is being used to perform keyhole surgery on patients at a Sussex hospital.

The state-of-the-art Da Vinci robot is operating on patients being treated for prostate cancer for now but it is hoped it can be used for other surgery in the future.

The machine, worth more than £2 million, was donated to Eastbourne District General Hospital (DGH) by a charity.

The Friends of Eastbourne Hospital secured a hire-purchase deal at a cost of just £1 million with manufacturers CHG-Meridan and a major fundraising campaign has now been launched.

The robot is controlled by the surgeon during the operation, and translates his or her hand movements into smaller, more precise movements of tiny instruments inside the body.

Guided by the surgeon, the robot provides a greater degree of accuracy and precision, and is much less tiring for the surgeon both physically and mentally.

Consultant urologist Steve Garnett said: “The urology department is very excited by this exceptional donation from the Friends.

“This brings cutting-edge surgical technology to the DGH and is a fantastic development for patients from Eastbourne and beyond.

“Starting with prostate cancer, the robot will enable more precise keyhole surgery with better outcomes for patients.

“It will allow shorter hospital stays, quicker recovery and better cancer outcomes. This is an amazingly generous donation by the Friends and a real vote of confidence in the future of the hospital.”

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust chief executive Darren Grayson said: “On behalf of the trust I would like to thank the Friends of Eastbourne Hospital for their tremendous generosity which is fantastic news for local patients and the hospital.”

Friends chairman Peter Nash said: “This was too good an opportunity to miss. “While this is probably the most daunting and challenging task undertaken by the charity the benefits will be widely felt.

“It is exceedingly good news for further patients who will benefit from minimally invasive surgery with less pain and quicker recovery times.

“This is a major step in creating a centre of excellence in Eastbourne for such procedures and demonstrates the future of the DGH as an important hospital.

“The community has been very generous in supporting Friends’ projects in the past and I hope they will continue to so we can complete the purchase in the shortest time possible.”

For more details about the campaign, visit esht.nhs.uk/patient-and-visitor/friends/eastbourne