How You Helped Bring Robotic Surgery to Melbourne's West

Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our community, Western Health Foundation is proud to announce the successful purchase of permanent robotic surgical equipment for the new Footscray Hospital. This milestone achievement represents more than a technological advancement – it's a testament to what we can accomplish when we unite behind a shared vision of accessible, world-class healthcare for everyone in Melbourne's west.

A community driven success story

Over the past year, our talented surgeons have been pioneering robotic-assisted surgery using equipment provided on loan, completing an impressive 282 operations since March 2024 – ranking fifth nationally in case volume during our inaugural year. The impact has been transformative, with enhanced precision, smaller incisions that heal more quickly, a significant reduction in post-operative pain and faster recovery times, reuniting patients with their families and favourite activities sooner.

We are so grateful to our Western Health community, who raised an incredible $1.1+ million

for this life-changing technology. Beyond the numbers, this achievement reflects our community's unwavering commitment to ensuring that advanced healthcare is available to everyone in Melbourne’s west. With this innovative surgery now available permanently, our patients will have access to world-class healthcare, close to home, when it's needed most.

How robotic surgery helped Linda, Sarah and Ray

The true measure of this achievement lies in the lives it has already transformed. We've witnessed this firsthand through patients like Linda, Sarah, and Ray, whose stories have touched hearts and inspired action throughout our community.

When Linda, a youth service program manager and grandmother of seven, discovered she had a stomach tumour during routine medical testing, she was overwhelmed by the prospect of major surgery and was able to choose robotic surgery after learning about its minimally invasive nature and faster recovery time. The procedure took just over two hours instead of the expected six, and Linda recovered remarkably quickly, walking and showering the next morning and going home the same day. This rapid recovery allowed her to quickly return to what mattered most to her – holding her grandchildren and spending time with family.

When Sarah was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer, everything changed in an instant. She was scared of what surgery might mean for her body, her recovery, and her life with two kids at home. But robotic-assisted surgery offered her a different path.

Today, Sarah’s back at work, riding her bike and leading scout camps.

Ray, a 67-year-old retired teacher and avid cyclist, had monitored his rising PSA levels for 20 years before a biopsy revealed level two prostate cancer. Drawing on positive experiences of friends who had robotic surgery and influenced by his cycling friend's death from prostate cancer, Ray chose to undergo robotic surgery at Western Health. The surgery was highly successful. Ray went home the next day, was walking within days on minimal painkillers, experienced no ongoing pain and had only minor healing holes rather than large scars. His rapid recovery was crucial for his mental health, allowing him to return to short rides quickly with plans to resume his 500 kilometres weekly cycling regimen within weeks.

These aren't just medical success stories – they're testimonies to the power of community investment in healthcare innovation.

As we prepare to integrate the permanent robotic surgery system into the new Footscray Hospital, we're embedding a commitment to excellence that will serve our community for decades to come. The groundwork laid when the robotic surgery equipment was on loan means we can immediately accelerate operations, performing more procedures and helping more patients from day one.

The new robotic surgery equipment will be operational at the new Footscray Hospital, ensuring that patients across Melbourne's west have access to the most advanced surgical care, close to home, whenever they need it.