Limerick: New High Tech Colorectal Theatre
The Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan T.D., officially opened a state of the art high tech minimally invasive colorectal theatre at the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Limerick yesterday. The Mid-Western Hospitals Development Trust spent a six-figure sum equipping the fully Integrated Stryker i Suite Theatre which is the first voice activated integrated operating theatre of its type in Ireland using Stryker’s dedicated technology and expertise.
The Mid-Western Hospitals Development Trust, established in 1986, has to date expended in excess of €17 million in the development of hospital facilities and the purchase of medical equipment for hospitals in the region. The Trust in association with the McManus Family and the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am has contributed in the fields of cardiac services, cancer treatment, radiology, orthopaedics, intensive care, urology, ophthalmology, neurological, renal medicine, respiratory and dermatology equipment.
The Trust is also partially funding, in association with Parkinson’s Association of Ireland Mid-West Branch and TLC4Cf Mid-West Branch of Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland, the construction of a new unit at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick that will include a Neurological Centre / Stroke Unit, Cystic Fibrosis Inpatient & Outpatient facilities, Symptomatic Breast Unit and a Dermatology Day Treatment Centre at an over cost of circa €11 million. This development is also being partially funded by the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am.
In addition work is underway on a new €5.5 million Dialysis Unit on the Dooradoyle campus funded by the Mid-Western Hospitals Development Trust in association with the JP McManus Invitational Pro Am.
The new Stryker i Suite Theatre will be operated by Mr Eoghan Condon, Professor Calvin Coffey, Mr David Waldron, and Mr Subhasis Giri and their surgical teams. Mr. Condon and Prof. Coffey recently joined Mr. Waldron from Cleveland Clinic Ohio USA, where they trained in laparoscopic colorectal surgery.
Laparoscopic colorectal surgery allows colon cancer to be removed using very small “keyhole” type incisions. It results in significantly less trauma for the patients and consequently patients with other major conditions who in the past may have been turned down for surgery can now receive curative treatment. This technique also has the advantage of allowing patients to recover more quickly allowing them to commence their adjuvant treatment earlier and avoid entering the Intensive Care after their operation.
The development of a fully integrated theatre i Suite will allow surgeons perform this type of surgery on all colorectal patients in the Mid-West Region. It will also improve outcomes and reduce morbidity.
The i Suite will enable broadcasting and video conferencing to anywhere in the world using Stryker’s Switch Point Infinity System. Stryker is a leader in integrated theatres throughout the world. The System has been installed by Sisk Healthcare t/a Tekno Surgical.
Ms Ann Doherty, chief executive of the Mid Western Regional Hospitals Group, commented “This is an exciting time for acute hospital services in the region. Without the work of the Development Trust acute hospital services would be lagging far behind international standards but now we are moving into a new era where our hospitals will stand comparison with the best. “
Mr Dave Culligan, Regional Sales Manager Sisk Healthcare T/A Tekno Surgical, said “We are delighted to be associated with the Mid Western Regional Hospital and the Mid Western Hospitals Development Trust in this the first voice activated theatre in Ireland. As part of the Sisk Group we can design, build and supply such innovative solutions to hospitals throughout Ireland. This development is already creating a great deal of interest around the country.”