Surgical robotics were first introduced to the N&N in 2016. The first robot was originally used in prostate cancer surgery, then in 2017 the N&N became the first hospital in the East of England to perform robotic colorectal cancer surgery.
Ten years and more than 4,000 robot-assisted surgeries later, the expansion has been incredible. Robotics are now used in more complex surgeries by a wider range of specialities, and the N&N robots are some of the most-used in the UK. The robotic surgery programme owes so much to our charity supporters, whose generosity has funded two of the robots, bringing the total to four. The two new robots arrived in early 2026 – their £2.8 million purchase price entirely funded by gifts in wills and other donations.
To thank our supporters and celebrate this milestone anniversary, the hospital held a special event bringing together staff and supporters of the N&N Hospitals Charity. Guests including donors, patients, surgeons and staff attended live robot demonstrations, guided tours of robotic facilities and presentations on the future vision for the robotics programme.
During the event, surgeons from each specialty spoke about the impact of using robotics in their own clinical areas. They shared how the technology is improving precision, enabling less-invasive procedures, reducing recovery times for patients and offering exciting future advancements in surgical training, innovation and outcomes for patients.
Robotic surgery at the N&N would not exist in the way it does today without the generosity of our supporters. Your support continues to drive this transformation, and every gift to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals Charity is an investment in the future.
Rachel Backshall, Charity Director, speaking at the celebration event
Ten years ago, nobody could have predicted the impact the surgical robots would have. Our hospital has become a major UK and European training hub, supporting surgeons in dozens of other hospitals to adopt robotic colorectal surgery. The N&N regularly hosts consultant surgeons, teams and trainees from across the country to observe advanced colorectal cancer surgery.
It’s important to remember that every robot-assisted surgery has somebody’s story at the heart of it. Robotic procedures are safer and more precise, helping patients to recover more quickly and get back to their normal life sooner. Steve is just one of the patients who’s seen those benefits, you can read his story here.
So what do the next ten years hold? We don’t know, but the fundraising hasn’t stopped:
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our community we have already raised £2.8 million but we are not stopping there; our vision is to reach £3.2 million and secure a fifth robot, giving even more patients access to cutting edge treatment and faster recovery.
Rachel Backshall, Charity Director
To help provide two extra robots at the N&N Hospital visit our surgical robot appeal page.