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Original Constituency Question from Juliana Addison MP to Parliament –

My constituency question is for the Minister for Health. Will the minister please advise how the $6.5 million investment for robot-assisted surgery to be delivered at Grampians Health services’ Ballarat Base Hospital will improve outcomes and reduce recovery times for regional patients?

Many local doctors and surgeons, including specialist and general colorectal surgeon Dr Carolyn Vasey, have been calling for the investment in a surgical robot to enable the introduction of a robotics program in Ballarat.

I was very pleased to visit the Ballarat Base Hospital recently and see a demonstration of some simulated training exercises with the robot-assisted surgery system and speak to chief medical officer Matthew Hadfield and urologist Rob Forsyth about the benefits not only to patients but to Ballarat’s ability to attract surgeons into the future.

I thank the minister for his strong support for Grampians Health service, and I look forward to hearing more about the benefits that robot-assisted surgery will bring to my community.

Response from the Hon Mary-Anne Thomas MP, Minister for Health & Minister for Ambulance Services (29 September 2022) –

Robot-assisted surgery is an advanced minimally invasive surgery, performed by a robot that is controlled remotely by the surgeon.

Robot-assisted surgery is commonly used to treat cancer and is increasingly being used in other surgical specialties, including urology, gynaecology, head and neck, orthopaedic, cardiac and paediatric surgery.

For patients, robot-assisted surgery can lead to a faster recovery from surgery, shorter hospital stay and the opportunity to return to pre surgery activities more quickly. It will provide world class technology to patients in the Grampians region.

The $6.5 million funding will support the purchase of a suitable robot-assisted surgical platform; training and credentialling of health care teams; and support the development of a monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure the safe and effective use of robot-assisted technologies into the future. Thank you for your interest in this matter on behalf of your constituents.

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