Prestigious accolade for NNUH surgeon

A consultant surgeon has received a prestigious accolade for his work in leading robotic colorectal surgery at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH).

Irshad Shaikh has become the first surgeon in Norfolk to be certified by the European Academy of Robotic Colorectal Surgery (EARCS) after completing a robust training and assessment programme.

The first surgeries at NNUH were performed in collaboration with Professor Amjad Parvaiz, one of the country’s leading robotic surgeons. A number of recorded procedures were also submitted for independent review.

Irshad Shaikh

Mr Shaikh said: “We are one of the few centres in the country to have gone down the EARCS training programme. Safety is our priority and this certificate gives reassurance to our patients.

“It is all about teamwork and this was all made possible because we have a dedicated theatre team.”

The Trust has so far carried out 30 robotic colorectal cancer surgeries since carrying out its first in October 2017.

Robotic surgery offers a minimally invasive approach and is more precise because it offers a three-dimensional view and full freedom of movement.

Mr Shaikh added: “We have had fantastic results so far with great clinical outcomes, quicker recovery for patients and we have reduced the length of hospital stay for patients who have received robotic surgery to remove their cancer.”

“I would like to thank Richard Wharton, service director, the Urology team, Prof Parvaiz , the theatre scrub team, anaesthetic team, Dilham Ward team,  secretarial staff and specialist nurse team.”

Richard Wharton, Service Director of General Surgery, added:  “We are planning to expand the robotic surgery service and provide training to more of our consultant surgeons. Irshad has worked extremely hard to achieve his qualification, and his next step is to become a trainer. Congratulations to him.”

The colorectal surgery team