{
  "id": 17755305,
  "title": "'It took years to get pain-relieving surgery - I hope a robot means others won't have to wait'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/it-took-years-to-get-pain-relieving-surgery-i-hope-a-robot-means",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-11-02T06:24:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Health",
    "slug": "bbc-health",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c98rz8v5rem0o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Colleen Crothers suffered for over two decades with chronic endometriosis, a painful condition in which tissue similar to uterine lining develops outside the uterus. Despite first experiencing symptoms at the age of 14, it took until she was 41 for her condition to be properly diagnosed and she finally received the medical help she desperately needed. In Northern Ireland, women with chronic endometriosis often wait an average of seven years for complex surgery, which can lead to devastating consequences such as hysterectomies and early menopause. The Da Vinci gynae robot, a first-of-its-kind in Ireland and one of only a few in the UK, is set to revolutionize the treatment of these women. Operated by skilled surgeons, the robot's high-tech arms provide unparalleled precision, enabling complex surgeries that were previously difficult or impossible to perform. The robot has already performed 130 surgeries at Belfast City Hospital, with 105 of them dedicated to treating women with complex endometriosis. Surgeons trained to use the robot report that the technology has drastically improved outcomes for patients, with many experiencing significant relief from chronic pain and an accelerated recovery time. The Da Vinci robot was funded through charitable donations, and its arrival in Belfast is expected to significantly reduce waiting times and improve the lives of countless women suffering from endometriosis.",
  "summary": "A woman who waited in pain for years for endometriosis surgery praises high-tech bid to end delays.",
  "key_points": [
    "Colleen Crothers suffered chronic endometriosis for 24 years before diagnosis at 41.",
    "Da Vinci gynae robot, first in Ireland and UK, aims to revolutionize treatment.",
    "130 surgeries performed at Belfast City Hospital, improving patient outcomes."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The introduction of specialized robotic technology into Belfast hospitals offers a vital pathway to bypass long surgical waiting lists and reduce the devastating long-term health consequences of untreated endometriosis.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}