Surgical Innovation, Value and Thought Programs

The Institute of Academic Surgery's Innovation, Value and Thought portfolio oversees SLHD's Surgical Robotics program, the Advanced GI Surgical Program (AGISP) and Surgical Innovation including 3D printing, surgical planning, and 3D bio printing.

For more information about each program can be found below.

• Advanced GI Surgical Program (AGISP)

Established in 2017, the Advanced Gastrointestinal Surgical Program (AGISP) is a novel program at Royal Prince Alfred (RPA) Hospital, Sydney. The program was established to oversee the three specialised advanced gastrointestinal (GI) surgical services offered at RPA. The Advanced GI Surgical Service within RPA provides expert, specialised clinical care to patients who require highly complex medical and surgical care.

For more information on this program please see here

• SLHD's Surgical Robotics Program

Through the generosity of a bequest from the late Mrs Shirley Woolley, the SLHD purchased a da Vinci Xi Surgical Robotic system in late 2015, making RPA the first public tertiary referral hospital in Australia to have this state-of-the art technology available.

Taking an innovative approach, SLHD launched the Surgical Robotic Program, led by the Institute of Academic Surgery (IAS), within a comprehensive research framework. This means that every patient being treated by the da Vinci Xi Surgical Robotic system is part of a research study allowing significant contributions to be made to the current body of evidence surrounding robotic surgery worldwide.

The overall management and governance of the SLHD Surgical Robotic Program is provided by the SLHD Surgical Robotic Program Steering Committee. Co-Chaired by Dr Teresa Anderson, Chief Executive SLHD and Professor Paul Bannon, Co-Chair IAS and including multidisciplinary membership, the main objectives of the steering committee is to:

• Provide strategic management and governance of the SLHD Robotic Program;
• Prioritise the safety of patients and staff involved in the introduction and ongoing use of the da Vinci robot, including development of competencies for all staff;
• Oversee the implementation of the research and training pathways required for utilisation of the da Vinci robot;
• Develop an environment of collaborative learning between all surgical specialities;
• Ensure equitable access of the da Vinci robot.

Reporting to this Steering Committee are the three working groups responsible for managing the Research, Operational and Training components of the robotics program.

Surgical Robotic Research

For more information on this program research you can view the annual reports here

Surgical Robotic Education

The RPA Institute of Academic Surgery hosts the Surgical Robotics and Innovation Summit (SRIS) which is the only multidisciplinary and multispecialty surgical robotics and innovation in Australia.
For more information about SRIS visit the website - www.sris2022.com 

Surgical Robotic Training

RPA is home to the Surgical and Robotic Training Institute. More information on the training facility can be found here