First da Vinci robotic surgery successfully completed at St John of God Ballarat Hospital

New robotic technology expands surgical options for patients in Ballarat region.

17 Mar 2025

St John of God Ballarat Hospital has successfully performed its first surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System, marking an important step forward in robotic-assisted surgery for the region. The newly acquired technology is now being used for urological, colorectal, and thoracic surgeries, providing patients with minimally invasive surgical options.

A milestone for robotic surgery in Ballarat

Mr Robert Forsyth, Urologist at St John of God Ballarat Hospital, performed the hospital’s first da Vinci-assisted procedure. He spoke about what this technology means for surgeons and patients.

“It is exciting to have da Vinci robotic assisted surgery now available at St John of God Ballarat Hospital. The system allows us to provide more patients access to the benefits of minimally invasive surgery including less blood loss, post-operative pain and faster return to normal activities. As surgeons we look forward to offering these state-of-the-art surgical techniques to the patients of western Victoria,” he said.

With this first case now complete, St John of God Ballarat Hospital is expanding access to robotic-assisted surgery, ensuring patients in Ballarat and surrounding areas can benefit from the latest advancements in surgical technology.

How the da Vinci Surgical System works

The da Vinci Surgical System is designed to assist surgeons in performing complex procedures with greater precision and control. It translates the surgeon’s hand movements into highly controlled, small-scale actions using robotic instruments that can move with enhanced dexterity.

A high-definition 3D vision system gives surgeons a magnified view of the surgical area, while robotic instruments allow for greater range of movement than the human hand, supporting minimally invasive techniques.

Mr Robert Forsyth uses the da Vinci Surgical System

Expanding robotic-assisted surgery at St John of God Ballarat Hospital

With the addition of the da Vinci Surgical System, St John of God Ballarat Hospital now has the largest and most advanced robotic surgery suite in the region, with four robotic platforms:

da Vinci – urology, colorectal and thoracic surgery
ROSA – knee procedures
Mako – partial knee, total hip and total knee replacements
VELYS – advanced knee replacement surgery

A commitment to innovation in surgical care

Ms Maria Noonan, CEO of St John of God Ballarat Hospital, said the introduction of the Da Vinci system is part of the hospital’s ongoing investment in advanced surgical care.

"By expanding our robotic-assisted surgery program, we’re ensuring patients in our region have access to the latest surgical techniques. With the da Vinci system now part of our robotic suite, we can offer even greater precision across a range of specialties," she said.