The Institute for Excellence in Robotic Surgery (TIERS)
TIERS was established in 2022 from a partnership between East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) and ARU, and brings together the complementary strengths of the partnership organisations.
Mission: To develop excellence in robotic surgery by setting the standards for, and providing education in, robotic surgery; through research into all aspects of robotic surgery; and though creative innovation with industry partners.
Vision: TIERS will be the centre of excellence for robotic surgery in England. Experts will travel from across the world to develop their capabilities, and industry partners and funding bodies will support research and education to develop excellence in clinical practice and future development of surgical robotics.
Objectives:
- Set standards for excellence in robotic surgery.
- Deliver the best education and training in robotic surgery.
- Impact the development of robotic surgery and its use in clinical practice through research.
- Sustain our efforts through partnership and inward investment.
Partners
ESNEFT and the ICENI Centre
The ICENI Centre’s ethos is to bring together leaders in healthcare to share their skills, knowledge and experience of best practice through a diverse range of learning resources.
The ICENI Centre’s first class facilities and training are available to all, from aspiring NHS employees of the future – today’s undergraduates and clinicians on a career pathway from FY1 – to senior consultants, nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals.
Robotic training is provided via a simulation for training with state-of-the-art virtual and augmented reality simulation equipment in robotic surgery, laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, endovascular, ophthalmology and endoscopy.
ARU
The mission of ARU's School of Medicine, part of the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Social Care (HEMS), is to educate and train doctors to practice amid 21st-century medical demands and developments. Through our state-of-the-art facilities, we train doctors for the future using innovative technologies to tackle existing and emerging threats to health.
Building on our 25-year history as the largest provider of nursing, midwifery and allied health courses in the East of England, we provide our students with a dynamic and modern curriculum that equips them with the skills-set needed to manage future patient and population needs.
The School of Medicine collaborates with five NHS hospitals, a large mental health trust, and in excess of 60 GP surgeries to provide students with a mix of experiences in urban and rural environments. Taught by a dedicated faculty and visiting clinicians from the NHS Trusts and general practice, our students receive the very best education in their journey to becoming doctors.
We offer Masters courses in Core Concepts in Robotic Surgery and Robotic Surgery (Simulation) and facilitate innovation through our Medical Technology Research Centre (MTRC).
Dr Shane Gordon
Director of Strategy, Research & Innovation, ESNEFT (Co-Chair)
Shane has been a GP since 2002 and has also worked in NHS management for 12 years. He has undertaken a variety of senior roles, including Associate Medical Director for the East of England Strategic Health Authority, Chief Officer of North East Essex CCG, and Chief Operating Officer at Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust. He has led region-wide change programmes and high-value procurements and is also a member of the Royal College of Surgeons.
Dr Jo-Anne Johnson
Associate Professor, Faculty of Health, Education & Medicine, ARU (Co-Chair)
Dr Jo-Anne Johnson is a paediatrician with a sub-speciality interest in respiratory paediatrics. She is currently the Undergraduate Assessment Lead, Research & Scholarship Lead, Phase 2 Lead, and Paediatric Lead at the School of Medicine. She runs the Paediatric Sleep Service at East Suffolk, North Essex Foundation Trust.
Subash Vasudevan
Consultant Robotic General and Colorectal Surgeon, ESNEFT
Subash Vasudevan is a Consultant Robotic General and Colorectal Surgeon at Colchester Hospital. He is the chair of the multi-specialty robotic surgery steering committee at ESNEFT. He is a pan-European proctor for robotic general and colorectal surgery.
He is actively involved in training future robotic surgeons through the colorobotica initiative of the European Society of Coloproctology. Under his clinical leadership of the programme, ESNEFT has become one of the shining beacons of robotic surgery in Europe. His other roles include clinical lead for Innovation and Associate medical director.
He regularly presents in national and international meetings on robotic surgery and is considered as a visionary in this field. He is actively involved in education through leading on several Royal College-accredited robotic courses and leading on the MSc in Robotics Surgery through TIERS. He is a Senior Lecturer in Robotic Surgery and is actively involved in research activities.
Dr Sanjiv Ahluwalia
Head of School of Medicine, ARU
Dr Sanjiv Ahluwalia is a GP. He has a special interest in understanding the influence of clinical education on patient care. He has been involved in clinical education since 2002 having started as a GP training programme director, and most recently has been the Regional Postgraduate Dean for London.
Sanjiv's educational work has consisted of managing postgraduate medical training programmes, workforce, and educational transformation with service providers, and developing interprofessional education. His research explores the relationship between clinical education and patient care/outcomes.
Jocelyn Pryce
Deputy Head of School of Medicine (Postgraduate), ARU
Jocelyn Pryce is a registered Biomedical Scientist. She has previously worked at Guy’s Hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital, and regional district general hospitals, and as a forensic and fingerprint expert for the Metropolitan Police.
Jocelyn's research interests include histopathology, anatomy-based research including embalming techniques for enhanced simulation, and pedagogical research in the use of simulation.
Richard Smith
Nephrology Consultant, ESNEFT
Richard is a Consultant in Nephrology in the renal department at Ipswich Hospital, and also the Lead for Trust-wide research and development.
Mr Timothy Parratt
Consultant, Orthopaedic Surgeon, ESNEFT
Mr Timothy Parratt is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon based at Oaks Hospital (Colchester) and East Suffolk North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT). His practice focuses on the treatment of conditions affecting the hip and knee. He performs a high volume of hip and knee replacements per year in addition to keyhole operations and ligament reconstructions. He is frequently referred patients with complex knee problems, or for second opinions.
Tim is a leading expert in the field of robotic assisted knee surgery. He is one of the first surgeons in the UK to test and use the CORI Robotic Knee System. This system allows greater accuracy and for the surgeon to tailor the operation to each individual patient when compared to conventional knee replacement.
Prof Barbara Pierscionek
Deputy Dean (Research and Innovation), ARU
Prof Barbara Pierscionek has expertise in optics, biochemistry, biomechanics, nanotechnology, and cell biology, and how these apply to the study of eye development, ageing and disease, as well as to new technologies for sight improvement. She is also qualified in Law and has research interests in ethico-legal aspects of big data and emerging technologies.