A state-of-the-art robotic technology has made its QEII Hospital debut this October, marking a new era of surgical precision at the hospital’s busy Orthopaedics unit.
The Johnson & Johnson VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution launched at QEII on 22 October, just five days after a team at the Princess Alexandra Hospital performed their first VELYS™ assisted total knee replacement.
The availability of this advanced technology was made possible through collaboration between the Orthopaedic departments across these sites, which together developed a multi-site strategy focused on joint replacement procedures.
Unlike traditional knee replacement methods, the VELYS™ creates a detailed 3D model of the patient’s knee in real time during surgery. This allows for a highly personalised surgical plan and real-time adjustments guided by the surgical team, ensuring alignment and balance.
QEII provides a high volume of joint replacement procedures within the MSH network, with orthopaedic cases occupying more than one-fifth of the surgical waitlist.*
QEII Director of Orthopaedic Surgery Dr Jonathan Quinn says the robot goes a long way toward enhancing surgical care for patients, helping get them back on their feet sooner.
“This technology enables increased accuracy in planning and performing knee replacement surgery. Our focus at QEII is always on obtaining the best outcomes for our patients, and this technology will help us to do that.”
With the QEII Expansion set to boost QEII’s surgical capacity by 2028, the new technology will enhance clinical care for years to come, while setting a new standard in surgical training at the growing hospital.
"The VELYS™ will serve as a valuable educational tool for the next generation of orthopaedic surgical trainees. It is a significant addition to our knee replacement surgery portfolio, so it’s an exciting step forward for our surgeons, our trainees, and our patients who will benefit from this technology for many years to come.”
The joint PAH and QEII milestone highlights Metro South Health’s commitment to clinical innovation, medical excellence, and gold standard surgical education.
*Based on 2024-25 financial year data.
**Robotic technology specialising in alternative surgical procedures is already in use at QEII Hospital.
Background – QEII elective surgery data
Total elective surgeries performed between 1 April 2023 – 30 April 2025: 12,129.
Elective surgeries were performed across the following specialties:
Urology: 3960 (33%)
General Surgery: 3240 (27%)
Gynaecology: 2344 (19%)
Orthopaedics: 2585 (21%)