A new robot that decontaminates air and could slash waiting lists is being trialled in Cornwall’s main hospital.

According to the Royal Cornwall Hospital it could enable up to 2,400 additional procedures a year and massively reduce waiting lists.

At present, rooms must be left vacant for at least 25 minutes to replenish the air using a ventilation system, following medical examinations where aerosol generating procedures are performed, such as intubation or manual ventilation. However, the robot cuts that down to ten minutes.

It has now been set to work in the endoscopy department of Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust.

The pressures of Covid-19 sparked the idea when air cleaning was essential to avoid infections spreading, and the robot is designed specifically to eliminate Covid-19, flu and other viruses.

The robot was made by healthcare innovation company Akara.

Dr Hannah Bradwell, from the University of Plymouth, explained the project’s potential: “The two questions we’re asking are does the robot disinfect to the same standard as the ventilation system alone and, if so, does it save time?

“If the answer is ‘yes’ to both, then the robot can only be a good thing."

Joanne Taylor, consultant nurse and deputy director of infection prevention and control at RCHT, said the robot had made a positive impact on patients at the Trust by cutting wait times.

She said: “The robot has definitely improved things for patients as the reduced downtime means we can get more patients seen in a day, while maintaining the highest standards in environmental cleanliness.

“Based on time savings made during the trial period, we estimate that its use could enable as many as 2,400 additional procedures a year, which would have a very significant effect on reducing the waiting lists.”

The University of Plymouth researchers are working to understand staff perceptions of having the robot there and what colleagues believe works and doesn't work.

Lynsey Farrell, Endoscopy Unit Lead at RCHT, said it’s been a great help to staff.

She said: “The robot has had a really positive impact on the department.

“Staff are concerned about the increased risk of Covid-19 for patients due to aerosol-generating procedures, and also for themselves, so they’re very keen to work with new technologies offering the potential to make the environment safer for everyone.”

The university’s findings were presented at the Infection Prevention Society (IPS) conference in Bournemouth this week.