Estelle Martin
Robotics SIG
Welcome to the Robotics (SIG) for all perioperative healthcare professionals working across multiple specialities within Robotic Assisted Surgery (RAS).
The implementation of RAS innovation has led the way forward to published guidance and good practice in the United Kingdom (UK), providing structured pathways within a governance framework. However, there is a growing need for recognised training for theatre practitioners/teams to be provided with nationally recognised standardised training.
This forum will give you as AfPP members a platform to discuss and engage with like-minded practitioners on current practice issues relating to RAS.
More about Estelle
I am a Surgical Care Practitioner with over 20 years’ experience in nursing. I qualified as a nurse back in 2006, working initially in ward based environments before taking on an Advanced Nurse Practitioner role and completing an MSc in Health care practice and then the role of an SCP in 2018. I continued my professional development through the surgical first assistant course and then the SCP MSc and now specialise in Robotic surgery in Colorectal and General Surgery.
I lead a team of 5 SCPs and for the past 8 years I have continued to develop the team in line with all national guidelines, ensuring patient safety and gold standard practice is at the centre of everything we do.
I am extremely passionate about the area of robotics and where this technology will take our patient care. I have been involved in the robotics programme at my trust since its inception 5 years ago and been integral in supporting the training of not only the theatre team but our resident doctors and fellows too. As well as writing competencies and emergency procedure protocols and speaking at conferences about the importance of the team in the setting up and delivering of a robotics programme, I have also contributed to academic papers on robotics and written training courses for SCPs as part of the robotics module for the MSc course.
I am a trainer in Human Factors and understand the importance of this within the work place.
As Lead for the AfPP Robotics Specialist Interest Group, I am looking forward to using my experience to help shape national standards, focusing my attention on having a strong voice with regards to training and education for the robotics team as well as an advocate for role clarity within the team.
I feel genuinely privileged to be appointed into this role and I am committed to ensure I make a positive impact.
Mandy Mangham
Robotics SIG support
I am a Registered Nurse with over 17 years of perioperative experience across gynaecology, obstetrics, oncology and urology. My clinical background encompasses scrub and anaesthetic practice. I am skilled in both scrub and anaesthetic practice including for robotic assisted surgery.
Following completion of my MSc in Surgical Care Practice (Urology) in 2022 and the Non-Medical Prescribing course in 2023, I now work closely with the urology oncology team, specialising in bedside assistance for robotic-assisted surgery. Overall, I have around 15 years of robotic experience.
I have a strong interest in Human Factors and non-technical skills within the perioperative environment, particularly within the robotic specialty. I am also highly honoured to have been invited to serve as a judge for the Nursing Times Awards for four consecutive years. I look forward to supporting robotic perioperative teams and individuals in developing and sharing, knowledge, best practice and enhancing patient safety within robotic surgery.
We are currently on the lookout for a SIG support to join this group. If this is something of interest, please email you application to admin@afpp.org.uk. Read more about the role by clicking below: