The Samworth Foundation, supporting cancer research at Leicester’s Hospitals
The Samworth Foundation, the Samworth family charity, has announced a £1.5 million award to support robotic surgery and cancer research at Leicester’s Hospitals. The legacy gift has been made to the Leicester Hospitals Charity in honour of Sir David Samworth, who died last year aged 87.
The £1.5 million grant will fund a new surgical robot at the Leicester Royal Infirmary. It is hoped the new robot will quadruple the number of cancer patients who can benefit from this pioneering surgery. Around 300 patients a year currently receive the leading-edge treatment at the Leicester General Hospital, primarily for kidney and prostate cancer. A second robot will mean the hospitals can provide minimally invasive and life-saving cancer surgery to a greater range and number of people – including gynaecological patients and those with rectal, pelvic and head and neck cancers.
Richard Mitchell, Chief Executive Officer at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, said: “We are hugely grateful to the Samworth Foundation for this generous grant – which will allow us to rapidly accelerate the improvement of cancer care for people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. As a major cancer surgery centre and one of the most research-active NHS Trusts in the country, we understand the very real benefits this investment will bring to local people. The grant from the Samworth Foundation will undoubtedly save lives – both through the provision of leading-edge surgical techniques and much needed research into earlier diagnosis.”