Robot-assisted therapy appeal
How robotic surgery helps patients
- Quicker recovery, so they can get back to their life and loved ones faster
- Less invasive procedures, meaning less post-operative pain
- Smaller incisions with less scarring
- More precise, meaning patients receive the safest possible care
Help us bring robotic surgery to every patient in need
Over the past year, Western Health hospitals have been able to offer patients access to robotic-assisted surgery with a system provided on loan. This cutting-edge technology has empowered our surgeons to perform complex procedures with greater precision, leading to shorter recovery times, reduced complications, and less post-operative pain.
With your support, we can make this system a permanent fixture at Western Health, providing life-changing care to patients across the western suburbs. A permanent robotic surgical system would allow us to meet growing demand and deliver the highest quality care for a range of critical surgeries - ensuring that every patient has access to the most advanced surgical options, close to home, whenever they need it.
Sarah's fast track to recovery
When Sarah was told she had stage 4 bowel cancer, she was stunned. “It was completely unexpected,” she said. A busy mum, dedicated scout leader and cyclist, she’d had no symptoms—just a few hospital visits. A scan and colonoscopy confirmed the devastating diagnosis.
Her surgeon, Dr Fiona Reid, suggested robotic surgery might give Sarah a faster, smoother recovery. “The idea of traditional surgery was daunting,” Sarah said. “But seeing how excited Dr Reid was about the robot gave me huge comfort.” Sarah’s daughter Madison, a robotics enthusiast, was thrilled too. “There was a lot of excitement about it in our house!”
Sarah’s robotic surgery went ahead—and exceeded expectations. She was in hospital just four days and back on her bike within weeks. “I had minimal pain and was back at work almost straight away. It was phenomenal,” she said. Her treatment journey continued, but she was able to return to work, family, and the scout group she loves.
"This has been a game-changing surgery for me. You wouldn’t know I had major bowel surgery. Everyone deserves access to this kind of recovery.” - Sarah
