Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) has made history as the first in Wales to introduce Speedboat® technology, a groundbreaking innovation developed by Creo Medical. This six-month pilot program is already transforming colon cancer treatment - offering patients a faster, safer, and less invasive alternative to traditional surgery.
Speedboat® Submucosal Dissection (SSD) is a minimally invasive technique that allows doctors to remove complex colorectal polyps in a single procedure. This eliminates the need for multiple hospital visits or major surgery, significantly improving patient recovery times and overall care.
A Faster, Less Invasive Approach
For many patients, complex polyps have traditionally meant multiple treatments, higher risks, and longer hospital stays. But with Speedboat®, the ABUHB state that, “doctors can now safely and efficiently remove these polyps in one go” - reducing surgical waiting lists and improving outcomes.
Dr. Alka Joshi, Clinical Lead for the pilot, shares:
This is a major breakthrough for our patients. By using Speedboat®, we can offer a faster, less invasive solution that shortens recovery time and improves efficiency.
Since launching just before Christmas, the pilot has already treated three patients - all with successful outcomes and no complications. Each procedure was completed in a single session, and every patient was discharged the same day. One of them even managed to go Christmas shopping the next day.
Supported by ABUHB’s Clinical Safety and Effectiveness Group, the pilot also benefits from Creo Medical’s on-site Pioneer Clinical Education Programme. This speeds up clinician training - reducing learning time from years to just months - and paves the way for wider adoption across Wales.
Rob Holcombe, Finance Director & Innovation Executive Lead at ABUHB, emphasises the importance of this pilot:
We’re proud to be championing this Welsh innovation. Speedboat® technology has the potential to reduce surgical pressure, enhance patient care, and set a new standard for minimally invasive treatment.
Craig Gulliford, CEO of Creo Medical, adds:
As a Welsh company, we’re excited to see the Aneurin Bevan team leading the way with Speedboat®. This pilot demonstrates how our technology can improve patient outcomes, reduce waiting times, and help healthcare providers across Wales adopt cutting-edge solutions.
With its early success, this pilot is shaping up to be a blueprint for the future of colorectal treatment in Wales and beyond. By streamlining procedures and reducing hospital stays, Speedboat® technology is delivering real-world impact—right now.
At Creo Medical, we’re committed to transforming patient care through minimally invasive surgical innovation. The ABUHB pilot is just one example of how our cutting-edge technology is helping healthcare providers deliver better, safer, and more efficient treatments.
Learn more about Speedboat® technology and how it’s shaping the future of cancer care.
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