Pupils name £2m robot in hands-on visit to hospital

A GROUP of primary school children have named a state-of-the-art £2 million surgical robot 'HERO' after an immersive visit to North Devon District Hospital.

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Pupils from Pilton Bluecoat Church of England Academy in Barnstaple worked alongside surgical staff to christen the new machine, which will support complex operations and enhance medical care across the region. The acronym HERO stands for "Helping Every Robotic Operator."

The initiative was led by surgeon Elizabeth Elsey, who visited the school to share her journey into medicine. She spoke about her role in the operating theatre and the importance of healthcare in society.