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Lake Macquarie Private Hospital brings robotic thoracic surgery to the Hunter

Sep 30, 2026

Patients in Newcastle and the Hunter can now access robotic-assisted surgery for conditions affecting the lungs and chest, with Lake Macquarie Private Hospital becoming the first hospital in the region to offer the advanced surgical approach.

The hospital performed its first robotic-assisted thoracic procedure this week, expanding its robotic surgery program to include surgery for conditions affecting the lungs and other structures within the chest.

The technology allows specially trained surgeons to perform minimally invasive surgery through small incisions, using a high-definition 3D view and instruments controlled by the surgeon from a console.

Lake Macquarie Private Hospital Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr Allen James said introducing the technology for thoracic surgery was an important addition to the surgical options available to patients in the region.

“The system provides a highly magnified three-dimensional view of the surgical area and allows very precise movement of the instruments, which is particularly valuable when operating in confined areas of the chest,” Dr James said.

Thoracic surgery is used to treat conditions affecting the lungs and other structures within the chest, including some cancers. Depending on the patient and their condition, robotic-assisted surgery can be used for procedures including removing lung tumours or part of a lung, as well as surgery involving other structures within the chest.

For suitable patients, potential benefits of a robotic-assisted approach can include smaller incisions, less pain and blood loss, a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery compared with traditional open surgery.

Lake Macquarie Private Hospital Chief Executive Officer Sharon Rewitt said the introduction of robotic thoracic surgery reflected the hospital’s commitment to expanding access to advanced specialist care for people across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the wider Hunter region.

“We want patients in our region to have access to leading surgical technology and specialist care without having to travel away from their families and support networks,” Ms Rewitt said.

“Robotic-assisted surgery has been available at Lake Macquarie Private Hospital since 2021, and expanding the program to include thoracic surgery means we can now offer this option to more patients.”

“We’re proud to be the first hospital in the region to offer robotic-assisted thoracic surgery and to continue expanding the specialist care available locally,” she said.