Another ‘first’ for Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust technology

The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust has become the first in the country to use innovative robotic ultrasound technology to help speed up and improve care for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Only seven countries across the world use the pioneering ARTHUR Rheumatoid Arthritis Ultrasound Robot, with the RBFT becoming the first in this country to use it in its Rheumatology department.

ARTHUR uses robotics and artificial intelligence to capture high-quality ultrasound images of the joints in the hand and wrist which the team are then able to use to assess, monitor, and use to guide the treatment their patients receive.

This investment in new technology will increase the number of patients the team are able to see, and mean that scans can happen more quickly. As well as direct patient benefits, by taking on imaging, ARTHUR will allow clinical staff to focus on patients with more complex needs where their expertise is most valuable.

Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) have frequent imaging to monitor and guide the treatment they need to keep their symptoms at bay. The Rheumatology department currently carries out 200 Hand MRIs a year and are seeing the need for their services increasing year on year.

James Blythe, Chief Executive Officer at the Trust said: “There are seven countries around the world that use this technology and we are the first place in the UK to bring it on stream. This investment is about using technology to deliver real improvements for our patients and colleagues.

“It means we can get to patients earlier and make interventions that add years to life and life to years.

Professor Antoni Chan, a Consultant Rheumatologist and Physician said: “ARTHUR allows earlier diagnosis which is very important as joint damage can occur if treatment is delayed. It will also help ease the burden on other services in the Trust like radiology and MRI where colleagues are managing huge demand.”

The introduction of this new technology supports the Trust’s commitment to digital transformation, and patient-centred care. It forms part of the wider work taking place across Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust to invest in technology and services that deliver better experiences and outcomes for patients while supporting colleagues to work as effectively as possible. Other examples include the recent investment in new pharmacy dispensing robots, and our pioneering work with AI in the to speed up the diagnosis of patients who have had a stroke.