Professor Tas Qureshi

Press & Project Q

Media coverage, the story of the da Vinci robot, and ongoing work to support surgical innovation and cancer care in Dorset.

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The Story of the Robot

A £3.5m da Vinci system arrives in Dorset

In October 2015, Robert Braithwaite — founder of Sunseeker International — made an extraordinary gift to Poole Hospital: a £3.5m da Vinci robotic surgical system. The donation came after Mr Braithwaite was treated by Professor Qureshi for bowel cancer and experienced the difference that precision minimally invasive surgery can make to a patient's recovery.

The da Vinci system gives surgeons a three-dimensional high-definition view and extends the reach and precision of laparoscopic instruments, enabling surgery in areas that would be difficult or impossible to access with traditional keyhole techniques.

Professor Qureshi described the donation as an extraordinary act of generosity that would directly benefit patients across Dorset and place the hospital on a level with the best cancer centres in the world.

Read the full story

Key facts

£3.5m

Value of the da Vinci robotic system donated by Robert Braithwaite

October 2015

Date of the donation and media coverage by BBC News and the Bournemouth Echo

First of its kind

The da Vinci system at Poole Hospital was the first of its type in the UK at the time

Dorset-wide

Plans announced for a regional training programme to develop surgical expertise across the county

Patient Tribute

Robert Braithwaite speaks about Professor Qureshi

Robert Braithwaite, founder of Sunseeker yachts and philanthropist, speaks here about his experience as a patient of Professor Qureshi and his decision to donate the da Vinci robotic system to Poole Hospital.

Robert Braithwaite on Professor Tas Qureshi

Robert Braithwaite, founder of Sunseeker yachts and philanthropist, speaks about Professor Qureshi's care and his decision to donate a £3.5m da Vinci robotic surgical system to Poole Hospital.

In the Press

Media coverage and recognition

BBCOctober 2015

Millionaire Robert Braithwaite gifts robot to Poole Hospital

Robert Braithwaite, founder of Sunseeker yachts, gifted a £3.5m da Vinci surgical robot to Poole Hospital after being treated for bowel cancer. Professor Qureshi, who treated Mr Braithwaite and led laparoscopic keyhole surgery at the hospital, described the donation as incredible and highlighted the robot's ability to reach areas difficult to access with traditional keyhole surgery.

The robot's greater range of movement will allow easier access to areas difficult to reach with traditional keyhole surgery — meaning better targeting and removal of cancers, and less chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

— Professor Tas Qureshi
Read the full article on BBC News
DAILY ECHOOctober 2015

'Da Vinci' robot system to perform keyhole surgery on patients at Poole Hospital

The Bournemouth Echo reported on the arrival of the da Vinci robotic surgical system at Poole Hospital — the first of its type in the UK at the time — funded by a £3.5m donation from Sunseeker founder Robert Braithwaite. Professor Qureshi described the robot's 3D high-definition imaging and extended instrument reach as enabling far greater surgical precision, and announced plans to develop a Dorset-wide training programme to ensure surgeons across the county remained among the most skilled in the country.

This incredible gesture will directly benefit a significant number of patients every year, and allow us to provide the latest surgical treatment for cancer on a par with the best cancer centres in the world.

— Professor Tas Qureshi
Read the full article on Bournemouth Echo

Project Q

Supporting surgical innovation in Dorset

Project Q is an initiative connected to Professor Qureshi's work in surgical education, research and training. More information about Project Q will be available here soon.

If you have a question about Project Q or wish to find out more, please contact the clinic.

Contact the Clinic

Arrange a private consultation

Private consultations with Professor Qureshi are available at The Harbour Hospital in Poole. Contact the clinic to arrange an appointment or discuss next steps.

Contact the Private Clinic