We're leading the way in our approach to robot-assisted surgery.
We want our members to receive robot-assisted surgery where there is evidence of safety and effectiveness.
To this end we're working closely with the regulatory medical bodies and the professional associations and reviewing the clinical and research evidence for all possible applications and procedures using robotics.
We'll publish our funding decisions and the authorised procedures on this website as they become available.
Colorectal
Outlines AXA Health's approach to robot-assisted colorectal surgery, based on platform availability, surgical centre creation, training guidelines and review of the available evidence.
Download Colorectal Review (567KB)
Cystectomy
Outlines AXA Health's approach to robot-assisted cystectomy surgery, based on evidence for use in the NHS and its adoption as the standard of care, and available evidence on outcomes.
Download Cystectomy Review (215 KB)
Head and Neck
Outlines AXA Health's approach to robot-assisted head and neck surgery, based on NICE guidance, review of the literature and interviews carried out with a number of chairs/committee leads from BAHNO, BAOMS and ENT UK.
Download Head and Neck Review (120KB)
Thoracics
Outlines AXA Health's approach to robot-assisted thoracics surgery, based on NICE guidance, review of the literature and interviews carried out with a number of organisations and key leaders in the thoracic surgery field.
Download Thoracics Review (98KB)
AXA Health Patient Safety Tool
Discover the levels of evidence we look for when authorising treatments.
Our aim
AXA Health constantly seeks to ensure its offer to patients reflects the best possible evidence and follows current UK practice. This means taking decisions as to what surgical procedures we should fund and to what level.
Surgical robotics is a rapidly progressing field, constantly expanding and evolving to move into new specialities. For this reason, AXA Health has started a process to assess, systematically, the status of robot-assisted surgery in each speciality to determine the evidence for robotic use.
We aim to update these guidelines frequently. We'd be very happy to receive any new evidence you feel is relevant, regarding any of these procedures, via the button below.
To discuss robot-assisted surgeon credentialing details, please contact Sarah Taylor, Head of Specialist & Practitioner Relations, here: specialistrelationships.health@axahealth.co.uk
Important note
Our publications on the use of robotics in surgical procedures are intended to provide an insight into which procedures have evidence and consensus.
The inclusion of any information in AXA Health’s communications on a particular health topic does not indicate its eligibility for cover under the terms of our healthcare plans.
Please also be aware that this information should not be taken as clinical advice or any form of advice under any circumstances, nor should it be used to self-diagnose or recommend a course of treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about individual health matters or the management of health conditions, you should consult a qualified medical practitioner.