Vodafone UK and British start-up firm Proximie have partnered on a 5G remotely-assisted surgery trial with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.
The team at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is trialling the use of Proximie's platform that allows clinicians and surgeons to ‘scrub in’ to any operating room or catheterisation (cath) lab virtually from anywhere in the world, with Vodafone 5G, for remote assisted support and training in the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff and University Hospital Llandough.
Proximie’s technology is being used in surgery, and to provide colonoscopy training to nurses so more patients can be seen in a shorter time. It will also ensure a high quality service by connecting experts from further afield into each procedure room to support patient care.
Proximie enables clinicians to transport themselves virtually into operating rooms, cath labs and hospitals – anywhere in the world – to interact visually, engage and guide procedures. Proximie’s platform combines the best human expertise with the power of advanced technologies including augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI).
By empowering clinicians to share their skills in real-time, Proximie can reduce variation in care and ensure every patient receives the best healthcare every single time, with the ultimate goal to save lives by sharing the world’s best clinical practices.
The trial is using Vodafone’s 5G in-building coverage system to power Proximie’s platform, and the technology will be used to carry out training remotely, which is particularly vital due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Proximie’s platform connects nurses in Cardiff to remotely located expert consultants who can oversee specialist procedures.
Anne Sheehan, Director, Vodafone Business UK said,"Society will undoubtedly benefit from 5G, and this is a direct example of how digital technologies can revolutionise the healthcare industry. The clinicians of tomorrow can benefit from the experience and insight of colleagues wherever they are located and this will only lead to a better standard of healthcare."