Surgeons respond to new ‘trailblazing’ NHS AI and robot pilot to ‘spot lung cancer sooner’
27 Jan 2026
Responding to the new ‘trailblazing’ NHS AI and robot pilot to ‘spot lung cancer sooner’, Miss Nuha Yassin, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon and RCS England Council Lead for the Future of Surgery, Robotics and Digital Surgery, said:
“This innovative NHS pilot demonstrates the remarkable potential of advanced technology in the form of robotic assisted diagnostic tools and AI. This has a real potential to transform patient care as demonstrated by pilot studies. As we celebrate the technology and innovations expand across the NHS, it is vital that enthusiasm for this is matched with rigorous training, equity of access, strong clinical governance, and consistent national standards. That is why RCS England published updated guidance last year, setting out a strengthened national framework to support the safe, evidence-based roll-out of robotic surgery across the NHS.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
1. Find out more about the NHS AI and robotic pilot at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/2026/01/nhs-launches-trailblazing-ai-and-robot-pilot-to-spot-lung-cancer-sooner/
2. RCS England’s updated robotic surgery guidance, Robotic-assisted surgery: A pathway to the future, can be found at: https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/standards-and-research/standards-and-guidance/good-practice-guides/robotic-assisted-surgery/
3. The Royal College of Surgeons of England provides world-class education, assessment, and development to 30,000 surgeons, dental professionals, and members of the wider surgical and dental care teams, at all stages of their careers. Our vision is to see excellent surgical care for everyone. We do this by setting professional standards, facilitating research and championing the best outcomes for patients.
4. For more information, please contact the RCS England press office: telephone: 020 7869 6053/6054/6060; email: pressoffice@rcseng.ac.uk; out-of-hours media enquiries: 0207 869 6056.
“This innovative NHS pilot demonstrates the remarkable potential of advanced technology in the form of robotic assisted diagnostic tools and AI. This has a real potential to transform patient care as demonstrated by pilot studies. As we celebrate the technology and innovations expand across the NHS, it is vital that enthusiasm for this is matched with rigorous training, equity of access, strong clinical governance, and consistent national standards. That is why RCS England published updated guidance last year, setting out a strengthened national framework to support the safe, evidence-based roll-out of robotic surgery across the NHS.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
1. Find out more about the NHS AI and robotic pilot at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/2026/01/nhs-launches-trailblazing-ai-and-robot-pilot-to-spot-lung-cancer-sooner/
2. RCS England’s updated robotic surgery guidance, Robotic-assisted surgery: A pathway to the future, can be found at: https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/standards-and-research/standards-and-guidance/good-practice-guides/robotic-assisted-surgery/
3. The Royal College of Surgeons of England provides world-class education, assessment, and development to 30,000 surgeons, dental professionals, and members of the wider surgical and dental care teams, at all stages of their careers. Our vision is to see excellent surgical care for everyone. We do this by setting professional standards, facilitating research and championing the best outcomes for patients.
4. For more information, please contact the RCS England press office: telephone: 020 7869 6053/6054/6060; email: pressoffice@rcseng.ac.uk; out-of-hours media enquiries: 0207 869 6056.