Theatres and decontamination
they’re doing? Who are the super users that we have in the department – the most familiar with the technology? Who are the people to go to for initial troubleshooting and the people that set the standards for training? Who is managing competencies when it comes to using the system? Have you got the documentation in place for tracking competencies?” Stuart highlighted that Intuitive offers a
range of technology training courses to support robotic-assisted surgery programmes. However, the hospital may have its own courses and prerequisites for using the system. Training programmes should include both initial education and ongoing refreshers, with particular attention to emergency protocols and evolving technologies. As new instruments or systems are introduced, structured upskilling plans are essential to ensure smooth adoption and continued clinical excellence The first Da Vinci 5 was installed in UK
November last year – Intuitive’s most advanced and integrated multiport platform to date. Designed to enable better outcomes, more efficiency, and actionable insights, Da Vinci 5 brings more than 150 design innovations and 10,000x the computing power of Da Vinci Xi. These advances are now supporting enhanced surgical senses, greater surgeon
autonomy, more streamlined theatre workflows, and advanced data analytics to enable the future of surgery.
Panel debate The event concluded with a lively debate with a panel of experts, including: Sean Allison, Theatre Manager at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust; Doros Polydorou, Managing Director, Steris; Dan Coole, Managing Director Surgical Holdings/Chair of the Surgical Instrument Group with Association of British HealthTech Industries; and Ian Dodd, Clinical Engagement & Implementation Manager, Wound Closure, Mesh and Surgical Instruments, NHS Supply Chain. The panel were asked to share their views on the move away from single use solutions in theatres. The experts agreed that there were good reasons for moving to disposables with some medical devices – in the wake of vCJD, in particular. Trevor pointed out that the design of some devices means they cannot be effectively cleaned and this presents a risk of infection. “When it comes to balancing sustainability and infection prevention, where should we draw the line?” he asked. Sean responded: “From a theatre perspective, infection prevention trumps everything. I don’t know if any of you have been involved in a
surgical site infection investigation, but you get reamed by Infection Prevention & Control and not just you – it is everybody in that theatre. As a patient, the last thing you want is to come back with an infection and undergo skin debridement, long-term antibiotics etc. While there is a need for sustainability, infection prevention must still be the key to everything.” Doros agreed that, “Infection prevention and
surgical safety is non-negotiable.” The NHS is the first global healthcare system to commit to being Net Zero by 2045, and as part of the Design for Life policy, the aim is to move all non-critical, single use devices away from healthcare by 2045. “When we talk about where we draw the line, for me it should be evidence based and science based. There are too many decisions being made, at the moment, based on ‘this is what we’ve always done’, rather than being backed by today’s science.” Dan pointed out that there are significant opportunities to move from single use devices to reusable. However, he was concerned that this may be “done in haste, without considering the potential issues.” “For instance, many electrosurgical devices
are single use and there is a drive to move these over to reusable, but the concern for me is will they be safely tested to ensure that they are
July 2026 I
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