Members of the Pembrokeshire Friends of Prostate Cymru recently visited the Prostate Cancer Unit at the Heath Hospital in Cardiff as part of a wider group of Prostate Cymru supporters from across South Wales. They were welcomed by consultant Surgeons Professor Howard Kynaston and Mr Andy Thomas. Andy Thomas is also the Chairman and a founder member of Prostate Cymru.
During the visit members were, in turn, taken into the operating theatre by Professor Kynaston to witness the Davinci Robot operating on a prostate cancer patient. The patient was attached to the robotic unit with the surgeon sat at a remote console carrying out the operation. The procedure takes about three hours and was described as an incredible experience with the highlight being an invitation to sit at a second console and observe the same view as the surgeon, relayed by 3D camera from inside the patient.
This world class facility has only been available to men from South Wales for just over a year and Prostate Cymru played a significant part in making it happen. It was the supporters of the charity in Pembrokeshire who last year handed over £34,000 which funded the training of the two surgeons who now operate on patients drawn only from West Wales every week using the Davinci Robot.
In its first year more than 300 men from across South Wales were operated on using this latest world class technology.
Pictured are Brian Harries and Simon Moffett of Pembrokeshire Friends of Prostate Cymru, along with Professor Howard Kynaston (centre).