Nearly one in two Canadians will hear the words ‘you have cancer’ in their lifetime. Innovations like the donor-funded da Vinci surgical robot are changing what that moment means—and the kinds of treatment, and hope we can offer our patients. Islanders like Graciela are now receiving the same level of surgical care here at home that they would expect in the best centres anywhere in the world. With our expansion into surgical robotics, we have become one of the most advanced centres in Canada for the surgical management of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, complex diverticular disease, and gastric cancer.
Looking back on the last year of robotic surgery, our Division of General Surgery is seeing the impact every day: less pain, shorter hospital stays, and recoveries measured in days rather than weeks. We’re also seeing something that matters enormously to us as surgeons: reduced complications and almost no readmissions to the Emergency Department. That tells us the surgery is precise, the recovery is smooth, and patients are truly benefiting from this technology.
The addition of a second da Vinci robot, this time at Victoria General Hospital, will allow more patients to access advanced procedures. Our capacity in General Surgery will increase from eight to twelve surgical days each month. With this expansion, we will have the capability for additional robotics-assisted surgical procedures, including liver and pancreatic cancer surgery.
This is real progress, and it’s happening because donors chose to invest in innovation. I’m deeply grateful. It is a remarkable time to be a surgeon in Victoria, and we feel the support of our community profoundly. Thank you.
