A Transformational Gift: Bringing the Latest Robotic Surgery to Oesophageal Cancer Patients at Royal Surrey

We are delighted to announce an extraordinary philanthropic gift from Professor Gordon Murray, Patron of PROGRESS, whose generosity has enabled the acquisition of a state-of-the-art da Vinci 5 (DV5) robotic surgical system at the Royal Surrey County Hospital. This remarkable donation has a particularly personal significance. Gordon himself underwent a robotic oesophagectomy performed by Professor Shaun Preston, one of our specialist oesophago-gastric surgeons, and has experienced first-hand the benefits of advanced robotic cancer surgery. His journey from patient to passionate advocate and philanthropist is truly inspiring, and his generosity reflects a deep commitment to ensuring that others facing oesophageal cancer can benefit from the very best surgical care.

Royal Surrey is already recognised as a leading centre for robotic oesophago-gastric surgery, with a dedicated team of six specialist surgeons delivering a fully robotic surgical service, supported by four existing da Vinci Xi robotic systems. Our team has achieved exceptional outcomes in oesophageal cancer surgery, with published results demonstrating performance among the very best in the United Kingdom. The arrival of the DV5 represents an exciting new chapter in our pursuit of surgical excellence. This latest-generation system offers superior visualisation, enhanced software capabilities and, importantly, innovative force-feedback technology that allows surgeons to effectively feel the forces being applied to delicate tissues during an operation. These advances offer the potential for even greater surgical precision, improved tissue handling and enhanced patient safety in some of the most complex cancer operations undertaken.

For our charity, Gordon’s gift embodies everything we strive to achieve: transforming the personal experience of cancer into hope and progress for future patients. His gift is not simply an investment in new technology; it is a deeply personal investment in the future of cancer care.