Professor Tas Qureshi

Story of the Robot

How a remarkable act of generosity brought a £3.5m da Vinci robotic surgical system to Poole Hospital — and what it means for patients in Dorset.

Read the CoveragePress & Project Q

October 2015

A donation that changed surgical care in Dorset

Robert Braithwaite, founder of Sunseeker International and one of Dorset's most prominent entrepreneurs, was diagnosed with bowel cancer and came under the care of Professor Tas Qureshi at Poole Hospital. The surgery he received — minimally invasive, precisely targeted, and part of a structured recovery pathway — made a profound impression on him.

In October 2015, Mr Braithwaite announced a gift of £3.5m to Poole Hospital: funding for a da Vinci robotic surgical system — the first of its kind in the UK at the time.

The da Vinci system extends the reach and precision of laparoscopic surgery. Its three-dimensional high-definition visualisation and articulated instrument arms allow surgeons to operate in areas that are difficult to access with traditional keyhole techniques. For bowel cancer patients in particular, this can mean more accurate tumour targeting, a reduction in surrounding tissue damage, and a faster, less complicated recovery.

Professor Qureshi led the introduction of robotic surgery at Poole Hospital and described the donation as an extraordinary act of generosity that would place the hospital on a par with the world's leading cancer centres. He also announced plans for a Dorset-wide training programme to develop robotic surgical skills across the region.

"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

The Technology

What the da Vinci system makes possible

Robotic surgery does not mean an autonomous machine — it means a surgeon operating with enhanced tools, guided by a high-definition three-dimensional view and with instruments that can articulate far beyond the natural range of the human wrist.

3D high-definition vision

The da Vinci system provides a magnified, three-dimensional view of the surgical field, allowing the surgeon to see structures and tissue planes with exceptional clarity.

Extended instrument reach

Articulated robotic arms can reach areas within the abdomen and pelvis that are difficult to access via traditional laparoscopic instruments, particularly in colorectal surgery.

Precision and stability

Motion scaling and tremor filtration refine the surgeon's movements, supporting precise dissection and careful tissue handling in complex procedures.

Robotic surgery is not appropriate for every patient or every procedure. Suitability depends on clinical assessment. If you have questions about whether robotic surgery may be relevant to your care, discuss this with your surgical team.

In His Own Words

Robert Braithwaite on Professor Qureshi

Robert Braithwaite speaks here about his experience as a patient of Professor Qureshi and his reasons for making the donation that brought the da Vinci system to Poole.

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.

Media Coverage

As reported in October 2015

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

Interested in robotic surgery?

To discuss whether robotic or minimally invasive surgery may be appropriate for your condition, arrange a private consultation with Professor Qureshi at The Harbour Hospital in Poole.

Book a Private Consultation