Tag: Glasgow Royal Infirmary

‘Robotic Surgery saved my life’

A patient at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary has praised NHS staff after undergoing robotic surgery that she claims saved her life.

Deborah Speirs, 46, from the Tollcross area of Glasgow was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer in March 2021 and, thanks to the innovative surgery and a dose of chemotherapy, she has now been given the all-clear.

Following a consultation with Professor Campbell Roxburgh, a surgeon at the GRI, Deborah decided to opt for the innovative surgery over the conventional method. 

Deborah is grateful for all the care she received at the GRI, but she is convinced that the robotic surgery saved her life. She said: “I cannot thank the staff at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde enough for all the help, care and treatment they provided for me.

“When you are told you are diagnosed with cancer, it takes a while for this to really sink in as you never think it is going to happen to you.

“I had never heard about it this type of procedure before. An operation is a scary word in itself and I never thought anything about a robot being directed by a surgeon.

“I met with Prof Roxburgh and he explained everything in detail and I was happy to go ahead with it.

“The technology is amazing and I was up and walking around in a matter of days after my surgery. I wanted to start hoovering when I got home from hospital but my daughter made sure I rested up. It just shows you how great this is for recovery.

“In what was a very traumatic and difficult time for me and my family, I genuinely think that robotic surgery has saved my life.”

L-R Deborah’s daughter Antonia, dad Thomas, Deborah, Deborah’s partner Paul.

More than 60 doctors are trained in the use of robotic surgery systems across NHS Scotland, with 15 machines in operation. NHSGGC offers robotic surgery across multiple specialities including colorectal, urology, gynaecology and head and neck surgery, at both the GRI and Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

The robotic systems have four arms that hold a camera and the surgical tools. A surgeon controls the robotic system from the surgeon console, which is in the operating theatre.

The systems allow doctors to use tiny wristed instruments that move like a human hand, but with a greater range of motion. The precision of the surgery can reduce the amount of time patients are required to stay in hospital post-surgery.

Prof Roxburgh said: “Robotic surgery has already shown huge improvements in patient care and recovery times. It is not complete devolution of the surgery to a robot and the surgeon still has absolute control of everything that is going on. What we are adding, is that we are using a console that controls instruments and these go in through robotic ports.

“We have seen a halving in the length of time patients are required to stay in hospital in comparison to conventional key hole surgery as it is less invasive.

“In addition to this, it helps have reduce complications, imaging assessments, blood transfusions readmission rates and infections.

“Deborah is just one example of a number of successful surgeries using this type of equipment.” 

Neil McCallum, director for NHSGGC’s North Sector, said: “This innovative technology allows us to reduce the amount of time a patient has to stay in hospital following their surgery.



“At a time when we are facing increased pressures, it is great to highlight the extraordinary work our teams are undertaking and this procedure will enable us to treat more patients more quickly, and with better outcomes.

“I would like to thank our teams who are continuously going over and above to provide the best possible treatment and care for our patients.”

David Marante, Regional Director at Intuitive, the maker of the da Vinci surgical systems used by surgeons and their teams at NHSGGC, said: “The progress that has been made at NHSGGC over the past 18 months is a huge accomplishment and is testament to the commitment of the team to expand robotic-assisted surgery so that more patients will have access to minimally invasive care with our technology.

“Our continued focus is to provide technology training to more surgeons, trainees and care teams across Scotland as they grow their da Vinci robotic programmes with the aim of further reducing rates of open surgery to improve patient outcomes and lower the total cost of care.”

Work completes on giant mural at Glasgow Royal Infirmary

Latest addition to Glasgow’s Mural Trail shines a light on health inequalities 

A new mural has been officially unveiled at the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, adding to Glasgow’s growing mural trail and raising awareness of health inequalities which exist in Scotland.

The Black mother and baby mural was developed in partnership between NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde  (NHSGGC) and local campaigner, Rachel Dallas. The mural marks NHSGGC’s own commitment to tackling health inequalities in maternal health and baby outcomes in the UK.

The 20 x 30ft design can be seen above the main entrance to the maternity unit on Wishart Street and features the image of a real mother and baby from the local community.

It comes following research which reveals significant racial disparity in maternal care and baby outcomes within Black and ethnic minority groups across the country. A number of partnership groups within NHSGGC are helping to drive forward and further reduce inequalities by promoting diversity in all areas of healthcare, including public health and staff messaging.

Jackie Sands, senior arts and health lead at NHSGGC, said: “Art plays a powerful role in helping raise awareness of major issues in captivating and thought provoking ways.

“The Black mother and baby mural unveiled today will feature in the landscape of Glasgow for years to come, shining a light on, and reminding people of the continued drive to reduce health inequalities – particularly for Black women and babies.

“NHSGGC is delighted to play host to such a mural and to play a part in helping reduce some of those inequalities which do exist.

“A huge thanks to Artisan Artworks for painting the mural and to Rachel Dallas for joint fundraising to make the mural possible.” 

Campaigner, Rachel Dallas, said: “This mural is a tribute to the women behind the statistics on racial disparities in maternal health.

“As a mixed Black woman living in Glasgow, I hope it reminds all who enter the hospital (staff, patients, and visitors) of the right to equality of both health care and health outcomes, as well as providing a beautiful representation of the strength and resilience of motherhood.”
                                               
Frank Carty of Artisan Artworks, added: “I am honoured have been involved in painting this mural which it is hoped will highlight inequality in maternal care for Black mothers.

“The image should also be very welcoming and maternal to all visitors to the maternity Hospital, and I’m hoping it will provide a really positive focus for that part of the hospital.”

ICU painting captures pandemic for future generations

In fifty or a hundred years from now a stunning picture may give our descendants a glimpse into the pandemic of 2020.

Proudly hanging just outside the Intensive Care Unit of Glasgow Royal Infirmary, it depicts three NHS colleagues on the frontline in the fight against Covid-19.

The Chief Nurse for NHSGGC’s North Sector is John Stuart. He said: “Glasgow Royal has such a long and distinguished history of being a respected teaching hospital.

“It is world renowned and has as a proud history in the East End. It’s been there through World Wars, major incidents and other outbreaks – and it’s been there for Glaswegians throughout this pandemic that none of us will ever forget.

“I wanted to capture the enormity of this and approached Glasgow artist and musician Robert Miller with the idea of creating a piece of artwork, which people can look back on. I just felt we needed to capture the dedication of our amazing staff in a way that would last for future generations.

“I had been happy to pay for the picture but Robert kindly offered his services for free – even covering the framing himself.”

The picture – which is 5ft by 4ft – now takes pride of place outside the ICU where many patients have been treated for Covid-19 over the past two and a half months.

John added: “We are so grateful to Robert for creating such a beautiful picture. I think it perfectly captures our staff – anaesthetist Dr Kathryn Puxty, Physiotherapist Helen Devine and Senior Charge Nurse Suzi Madden – and will serve as a symbol of the dedication of all the staff who served in NHSGGC and gives them their place in history.”

Robert videoed himself making the painting and created a time-lapsed video accompanied by the tune “Voice of an angel”, sung by his wife May Miller.

https://we.tl/t-kOMeQ8CKYA

Robert said: “I was honoured when John asked me to create a painting to mark the work of his staff in the pandemic. The Royal has such a special place in the hearts of Glaswegians and its amazing staff have been at the heart of the city’s response to the pandemic.

“The staff are all wearing masks in the picture so it was more important for me than ever to capture their eyes well. I hope people like it and they take a minute to think of the enormity of the situation we’ve been facing. Who knows how long it will hang there, but it’s been good to be part of marking the dedication of our amazing NHS. We are truly lucky.”