Building a robotic surgery program at Macquarie University Hospital “Internationally, robotic surgery has been used successfully for decades and is unquestionably the future of minimally invasive surgery. So from the beginning, we built robotics into our services strategy. Our success today is a result of that early investment.”
Macquarie University Hospital is the first hospital
‘As part of an academic endeavour, one of the
in Australia to have three robotic surgical
core values of the Hospital is innovation, so it’s
systems. It remains the busiest centre for robotic
imperative that we look at ways to bring advanced
urology in New South Wales and has rapidly
approaches to healthcare in Australia,’ explained
growing programs in other areas. What is behind
Associate Professor Kmet, who has spent more than
the Hospital’s success?
30 years working in human services and health care
Macquarie University Hospital opened its doors in 2010 as Australia’s first private hospital on a university campus. A cornerstone of the academic
management in Australia, South East Asia and the United Kingdom. ‘Internationally, robotic surgery has been used
precinct known as MQ Health, the Hospital supports
successfully for decades and is unquestionably
the larger entity by delivering excellence in patient
the future of minimally invasive surgery. So from
care through clinical care combined with teaching
the beginning, we built robotics into our services
and research.
strategy. Our success today is a result of that early
Conjoint Associate Professor Walter Kmet, CEO of Macquarie University Hospital, says that the story
investment.’ Robotics boosts precision and accuracy and
of robotics at the Hospital is driven by its academic
shines particularly when operating in deep pelvic
health sciences identity.
spaces. The approach is heralded for its benefits to
46
The Health Advocate • AUGUST 2021
