Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, Toowoomba Hospital now has access to cutting-edge robotic-assisted surgical technology. The Toowoomba Hospital Foundation is proud to have funded the hospital’s very first MAKO Robotic Arm – a $2M state-of-the-art tool that is transforming orthopaedic surgery and improving patient outcomes.
Orthopaedic surgery is a vital service at Toowoomba Hospital, with over 400 joint replacements performed each year. With the introduction of the MAKO Robot, surgeons now have greater precision, accuracy, and control than ever before. This means better results for patients, faster recovery times, and a reduced risk of complications.
Dr. Chris Wall, Director of Orthopaedics at Toowoomba Hospital, shared his excitement about the hospital’s first operation day with the new robotic arm.
“The day went really well. We did two knee replacements and a hip replacement, and all patients have recovered nicely and two of them have already gone home."
"I could see the value of the technology — the ability to change your plan and very accurately execute that was really fantastic. It's going to make positioning the implants very easy, very precise and very accurate. And we hope that's going to improve outcomes for our patients,” he said.
What does this mean for our community?
The benefits of the MAKO Robot go beyond precision. This technology is making a real impact in several key ways:
Better patient outcomes – Less post-op pain, quicker recovery, and fewer complications.
Improved efficiency – Shorter hospital stays and an increase in completed procedures, leading to shorter wait times.
Boosting regional healthcare – Attracting and retaining top surgical talent by offering cutting-edge technology in our public health system.
Toowoomba Hospital is now one of only a few public hospitals in Queensland with access to this advanced technology. This puts our hospital on the map as a leader in orthopaedic care, ensuring regional patients receive the same high standard of treatment as those in major city hospitals.
Made possible by you
This incredible addition to our hospital wouldn’t be possible without the support of our generous donors. As THF CEO Alison Kennedy explains:
“We’re incredibly proud to donate the MAKO Robot; the largest single equipment donation in our history. This cutting-edge technology will transform patient care and surgical outcomes in our community.”
The funding for this machine came from the community – from every coffee purchased at Wellbean Co, every parking fee at our hospital car park, and every dollar generously donated by individuals and businesses alike.
“Your support is not only improving patient experiences and health outcomes but also ensuring that everyone in our community has access to the best possible care in our public hospital system.” – Alison Kennedy, THF CEO
Help us fund life-changing equipment
Your continued support allows us to bring world-class healthcare to our region. If you’d like to be part of the change and help fund more essential resources like this, consider making a donation today.
