Kingsbridge Healthcare Group (KHG) is celebrating another “first” with Kingsbridge Private Hospital North West, in Ballykelly taking delivery of a state of the art MAKO Robotic-Arm Surgical System that will allow orthopaedic surgeons to perform joint replacements with even greater precision and accuracy.

As the only hospital in Northern Ireland offering such a pioneering device, this latest development reinforces KHG’s commitment to leading the way in providing new services, expertise, innovation, and technology to the NI Healthcare arena.

Kingsbridge Private Hospital North West General Manager, Anthony McKenna explains the positive impact this new assisted surgical system will have on both patients and surgeons.

“The MAKO Robotic-Arm Surgical System allows consultants to plot every step of the procedure in advance using CT imaging and 3D technology to plan and visualise the positioning of the implant before surgery, ensuring predictable and consistently successful outcomes.

“Software within the device creates an individualised pre-operation plan that facilitates less dissection, minimising trauma to soft tissue surrounding the joint resulting in a quicker recovery, less pain and shorter hospital stays for patients. The combination of the consultant’s expertise alongside the precision of technological assistance also means that replacement joints can not only feel more ‘natural’ but will also last longer.” 

Specialised training has been completed in both Belfast and Luxembourg with a team of Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeons led by Mr Graham Bailie, along with Mr Andrew James and Mr Danny McCaffrey, organised by Kingsbridge Training Academy in conjunction with leading medical technology company Stryker, manufacturers of the MAKO Robotic-Arm Surgical System.

Sarah Marks Chief Operating Officer at KHG said “We are very excited to begin robotic surgery and finish a 4 year journey to bring this service to people in NI. The delivery of the MAKO robot cements further our close relationship with Stryker who have been our long-standing partners in our orthopaedic growth journey.”

While scans and consultations can be arranged in Belfast as well as Ballykelly, all MAKO Robotic – Arm Assisted Surgery will be undertaken in Kingsbridge Private Hospital North West.

Self-Pay Orthopaedic patients can find out more about this new service and other orthopaedic treatments at a series of Public Information sessions being hosted by Kingsbridge Hospital Group in January at locations in Belfast, Ballymena, Craigavon, Omagh and Derry.

For further information and to register for free go to https://kingsbridgeprivatehospital.com/info-events/