The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) specialist 3D Surgical Planning and Innovation (3dSPIN) Centre, based at Salford Royal, welcomed the Ceremonial Mayor of Salford, Councillor Tanya Burch, and her daughter, Lady Mayoress Hannah Burch, for a special visit.
They met the expert team of clinical scientists and engineers behind the service and explored how their work is already improving patient care across Greater Manchester.
The guests were given a hands-on experience of the pioneering technology being used to transform surgery, leading to improved care and outcomes for patients. They both tried a virtual reality (VR) headset that simulated a clinician's experience of caring for a patient with complex airways using modelling techniques.
The 3dSPIN Centre, part of NCA’s medical device service, uses advanced 3D printing and modelling to support personalised surgical planning across several specialties. By using information from scans, models are created by clinical scientists that allow customised tools to be developed tailored for patients. Using the VR technology, clinicians are able to practice and perfect care techniques ahead of treatment. The technology not only improves surgical outcomes but also supports medical training, research, and innovation across the region.
Dr Stuart Watson, head of clinical engineering, and Mr Chai Gadepalli, consultant ENT and a member of the 3dSPIN team, said: “We were thrilled to welcome the Ceremonial Mayor and share how 3D technology is transforming patient care. It was a fantastic chance to showcase not only how we are improving surgical planning and outcomes, but also to offer a glimpse into the exciting research and innovation projects shaping the future of healthcare here at Salford.”
