A group of doctors have begun training which will allow them to use robotic equipment to carry out surgery.
They have been learning how to use the multi-million pound Da Vinci robotic surgery machine at the University Hospital of North Tees robotic surgery suite in Stockton.
It will allow them to carry out less invasive procedures with quicker recovery times.
The hospital’s robotic surgery matron, Sarah Waite, said the training suite and theatre was a “huge benefit for patients” and helped attract new doctors to work at the site.