Residents in the NSW South Coast region now have access to local robotic knee replacement surgery, with Nowra Private Hospital unveiling the region’s first VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution.
The VELYS device is designed to offer surgeons better vision and access during knee replacement surgery.
In February, Nowra local, Di Higginbotham, was the first patient to have surgery with the new robot at Nowra Private Hospital.
Ms Higginbotham decided to undergo a bilateral total knee replacement with Nowra Private Hospital Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr David Cossetto, as she was suffering from osteoarthritis, bone spurs, cysts and bad knees.
“The hospital was brilliant, the physios were brilliant, the whole thing went very smoothly as far as I’m concerned,” she said.
And as for being the first person in the region to have surgery utilising the new technology, Di says: “I think it’s brilliant, not having to travel to Canberra or Wollongong for this surgery. I think it’s excellent for local patients to have this option available to them.”
Nowra Private Hospital CEO, Brendan Tai-Roche, said the hospital is passionate about providing high quality care and better outcomes for patients.
“The investment in our new VELYS surgical robot shows Ramsay Health Care is committed to the people of the South Coast region and offering leading technological solutions designed to offer the best in patient care.”
