St George’s Hospital Urology department has been recognised by the European Robotic Urology Society as a host training centre.

This accolade places the St George’s Robotic Urology service on a par with other internationally acclaimed robotic units and will help the service attract high calibre International Robotic trainees.

Furthermore, it provides the service the opportunity to generate high quality clinical research, as well as enhancing their reputation.

The official recognition was achieved after a rigorous application process which required demonstration that we are a high volume centre, with audits and publications showing we achieve good patient outcomes.

Factors such as excellent cancer control; shortened length of hospital stay with minimal postoperative pain problems; very low blood transfusion rates and consistently low surgical complications were essential to satisfy the quality control in the application process.

The Robotic programme was started at St George’s in July 2008 by Mr Christopher Anderson, Consultant Urologist, after he had been an integral member of the team that pioneered robotic surgery in the UK. Prior to that he had developed his skills in minimally invasive robotic and laparoscopic surgery on fellowships to America and Germany, and therefore is delighted that this level of fellowship training is now possible.

Christopher said: “I am delighted that we’ve achieved official recognition as a European Robotic training centre in Urology. This is a great development and a tribute to all members of the Robotics team who have contributed over the years. We can now attract high calibre international trainees which will enhance our department considerably.”

The development of this internationally recognised robotic service has been made possible by the outstanding robotic team of very dedicated nursing and theatre staff, anaesthetic teams, trainee urologists and supportive management and consultant colleagues.

Mr Anderson has been ably supported by his Consultant robotic colleagues, Mr Rami Issa, and more recently Mr Hasan Qazi. The ethos in the robotic theatre team has always been to strive for excellence and efficiency, and this will be a fantastic platform for fellowship trainees to develop their robotic skills.