When the laparoscopic revolution began in the UK in 1989, Colchester was one of only a handful of hospitals that embraced the challenge that completely altered abdominal surgery forever. Our first course on laparoscopic cholecystectomy was in 1992 and in the following years, many courses followed.
Our reputation for teaching and training grew, attracting some of the best surgical trainees and fellows from the UK and abroad. The first purpose-built laparoscopic operating theatre in the UK was opened in 2005 and we established our identity as The ICENI Centre, but without a physical presence. Fortunately, our teaching and research attracted the attention of Anglia Ruskin University, which resulted in a state-of-the-art building for training, research and development. The new building was opened by the then Minister of Health, the Rt. Hon. Andrew Lansley in 2011.
Since then our courses have gone from strength to strength and we continue to broaden our reach and now provide courses for Nurses, Midwives, and Allied Health Professionals as well as our surgical courses.
In 2023, we obtained an HTA licence allowing us to host cadaveric courses and with our DaVinci Robot, we are also part of the robotic revolution in healthcare.
