Heart and lung disease remain among the UK's biggest causes of death and disability. Lung cancer survival rates are poor because many patients are diagnosed too late, while some patients with complex heart conditions cannot access less invasive surgical options. Demand for specialist care continues to grow, but NHS access to advanced robotic technologies remains limited, restricting opportunities for earlier diagnosis, more precise treatment and faster recovery.

Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals Charity is funding a pioneering Robotics Programme that will expand robotic bronchoscopy for earlier lung cancer diagnosis and introduce the UK's first da Vinci 5 cardiac robot. These technologies enable clinicians to diagnose disease earlier, perform less invasive procedures, reduce complications, shorten hospital stays and improve recovery for patients with complex heart and lung conditions.