Surgical Robot Fundraiser For Safer Surgeries and Cancer Care
The Palmerston North Hospital Foundation has announced its latest project, fundraising for a world-class surgical robot that will transform surgery and cancer care for the central North Island.
Operated by skilled surgeons across a range of disciplines, a surgical robot helps make procedures more precise, leading to smaller incisions, fewer complications, and quicker healing time. While often used in the private health sector, there is currently only one surgical robot available in New Zealand’s public healthcare system, based in Auckland.
Chair of the Palmerston North Hospital Foundation, Brendan Duffy, says this is the core reason that the Foundation has launched this project.
“Everyone should have access to the benefits of these surgeries, not just those who can afford to go private. We know it’s a massive goal, and we want to meet it by the end of 2026, but we’re sure it’s possible with the support of our wider regional community.”
Currently, Palmerston North Regional Hospital’s cancer services support a population of 580,000 people. This includes patients from Palmerston North, Manawatū, Ōtaki, and Tararua, but also Whanganui, Wairarapa, Taranaki, and Hawke’s Bay. A surgical robot will have a major impact on the countless cancer surgeries happening every year.
“By improving surgical outcomes and reducing the time people have to spend in hospital, it helps people get back to their lives faster. All of this will have a major ripple effect on our community, especially for the hundreds of patients who travel in for healthcare.
“It’s also becoming a benchmark for talented surgeons - by having one, we can help Palmerston North Regional Hospital attract and retain the surgical staff we need, strengthening our region’s healthcare workforce.”
Dr Alberto Ramirez, Clinical Director of Surgical Services at Palmerston North Regional Hospital, says surgical robots allow surgeons to perform complex procedures with much more precision.
“It magnifies what we’re seeing, highlights blood vessels and shows everything in a 3D view. It has no tremor, can do minuscule cuts and rotate tools 360 degrees, which human wrists can’t. The surgeon completely controls the robot; it doesn’t make its own decisions. It’s a tool, but like using tweezers instead of BBQ tongs - it's next level.”
The long list of operations that this technology can be used with includes kidney, prostate, bladder, hernia and gynaecology treatments; bowel surgeries; ear, nose and throat procedures; and many others. It’s been used by surgeons across the globe more than 14 million times, and can be used on a wider range of patients, from infants to the elderly.
“Major surgery has a big impact on a patient’s life and their wider whānau, so we need to make this accessible,” says Dr Ramirez. “It’s exciting - I’m really passionate that this is something we can do to look after our region’s future. It raises my blood pressure, in a good way!”
This is the second significant project for the Foundation, following the successful completion of the Hospital’s new Children’s Emergency Department.
Learn more about this project.