Robots in the service of surgery and other investments in healthcare
On May 26, one of the most important Regional Parliament sessions of the year will take place, during which votes of confidence and the discharge of the Regional Self-Government will be held. The basis for the debate will be two key documents: the report on the state of the region and the financial report on the budget execution for the previous year. We present materials summarizing the activities of the Regional Self-Government in 2024.
In the field of healthcare, key achievements include the launch of the Robotic Surgery Centre at the Regional Oncology Centre in Bydgoszcz – the first of its kind in a public hospital – and the establishment of a state-of-the-art Clinical Pathomorphology Department at the Regional Hospital in Toruń, along with the continuation of preventive programs.
Robots in the Operating Room
World-class modern technology supporting our surgeons is something we can truly be proud of. Two years after the first surgical robot was introduced at the Bydgoszcz Oncology Centre, the hospital has launched a surgical unit equipped with three such machines. It has become the first public hospital in Poland to introduce this type of solution into daily clinical practice and remains the only one with three robotic systems in operation.
The use of surgical robots results in greater precision, fewer complications, reduced risk of cancer recurrence, shorter hospital stays, lower medication and blood requirements, and less frequent need for supplementary treatment – all of which improve healthcare system efficiency and expand treatment access.
The oncology hospital now has four specialized robotic surgery teams and nine experienced operators, all holding international certification. Surgeries performed with robots include prostatectomies by urologists, bowel resections by oncological surgeons, hysterectomies for endometrial cancer by gynecologists, and lobectomies by thoracic surgeons.
Advanced Pathomorphology in Toruń, Work Resumed in Włocławek
The Regional Hospital in Toruń also operates a surgical robot. In March 2024, it opened a Clinical Pathomorphology Department that is now the most advanced in the region and among the best in the country.
“This is top-level advanced pathomorphology, just like in Europe’s leading centers. It uses the most modern equipment available in Poland – with high-quality screen displays, speed, and accuracy. This is especially critical for intraoperative diagnostics, where tissue samples are analyzed on the spot and surgeons get a diagnosis in real time, enabling them to decide whether a tumor is malignant and how to proceed,” explained Marshal Piotr Całbecki.
The investment was financed from the previous EU programming period’s regional program (cost: 21 million PLN, co-financing: 19 million PLN).
In summer 2024, a tender was finalized for selecting a contractor to complete the expansion of the Regional Specialist Hospital in Włocławek. The contract signing was postponed until first quarter of 2025 due to formal reasons, and construction resumed in the spring. Meanwhile, the hospital continues to develop its invasive cardiology department, including the purchase of a modern biplane angiograph.
Psychiatry in Świecie, Infectious Disease Unit in Bydgoszcz, Equipment Investments in Bydgoszcz, Toruń, and Włocławek
The Regional Mental Health Hospital in Świecie underwent a major renovation of its pediatric ward (cost: 9 million PLN). Now, patients have access to an attic-level hospital school, relaxation and therapy rooms, and a music room – all furnished with new equipment, soothing colors, and a cozy atmosphere.
The hospital also established a CT scan unit and created a psychiatric rehabilitation ward for adults.
As the facility is located in a 19th-century heritage complex, ongoing modernization has long been a challenge. However, significant progress has been made, clearly benefiting both patients and staff.
The final stage of modernization at the Regional Infectious Disease Hospital in Bydgoszcz involved the demolition and reconstruction of a small pavilion containing pharmacy storage, admin offices, and janitorial services. After expansion, the building also houses a conference room and a lecture hall for medical students. Cost: 21 million PLN.
Key Equipment Investments in Regional Medical Facilities
- Biplane angiograph for the Regional Specialist Hospital in Włocławek
- Oncology diagnostic equipment for the Regional Pulmonology Centre
- Equipment for the endoscopy lab at the Regional Hospital in Toruń
- CT scanner for the Regional Children’s Hospital
- 2 state-of-the-art ambulances for the Regional Emergency Medical Services Station
Health Prevention Programs
In 2024, the Regional Self-Government funded three health prevention programs, all targeting senior citizens: pneumococcal infection vaccination program, fall prevention program and abdominal aortic aneurysm screening program.
- 800,000 PLN – total cost
- 750 people received screenings
- 2,000 people were vaccinated
- 3,300 people received health education
- 1,000 people participated in dedicated physical activities
- 40 medical entities took part
- 45 local governments were involved in program implementation
Beata Krzemińska
Spokesperson of the Marshal’s Office
May 21, 2025