'Great opportunity' for female patients

Women in New South Wales' Mid North Coast region no longer need to travel to Sydney or Brisbane for gynaecological procedures thanks to the extension of robotic surgery services at Port Macquarie Private Hospital.

Obstetrician and gynaecologistDr MasihAshrafy has performedthe first such operation using the Ramsay Health Care facility's da Vinci system.

Supported byDr Dean Conrad from Ramsay'sKareenaPrivate Hospital in Sydney, he successfully completed a hysterectomy and bilateral salpingectomy – removal of the womb and fallopian tubes.

Previously, patients might have needed to travel almost 400 kilometres south to Sydney for such procedures, or 550km north to Brisbane.

"The robot allows us to perform surgeries with minimal invasion, which can mean shorter hospital stays and a less painful recovery for patients," DrAshrafysaid.

"Once trained, surgeons can use it for many gynaecological surgeries, offering a newoptionfor traditional procedures.

"This is a great opportunity for patients who want to have minimally-invasive gynaecological procedures close to home."

Port Macquarie Private Hospital introduced the robot technology in 2020, anduntil this year it had beenused for urology and general surgery procedures.

CEO Moira Finch said she was pleased to be able to extend the benefits of the da Vinci system to gynaecology patients.

"Port Macquarie Private Hospitalhasinvestedin technology designed to improve patient experience and outcomes," she said.

"I'mdelighted even more local community memberscanbenefitfrom thisstate-of-the-arttechnologyin their own region."

Read more: Ramsay expansions increase patient options

Read more: Australia-first recognition for Ramsay

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