An investment of £2.8 million funded entirely through gifts in wills and charitable donations has led to the arrival of two new surgical robots.

Two da Vinci surgical robots unveiled at the opening of the Norfolk and Norwich Institute of Robotic Surgery at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Trust will help to advance healthcare, train future surgeons and improve patient access to innovative, minimally invasive treatments.

The names of the new robots were selected through a competition involving schools in Norfolk. The two names chosen were Renew, suggested by Norwich School, and Curiosity, suggested by Horsford Mill Lane Primary School.

The new Institute brings together the Trust’s robotic surgery programme, providing a centre for innovation, training and enhanced patient care. The £2.8 million investment is already helping more patients to benefit from less invasive procedures, reduced pain and faster recovery times, the Trust said.

Rachel Backshall is director at Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals Charity, and thanked supporters for their generosity, which has helped to make the Institute possible.

“The opening of this Institute marks an exciting new chapter for healthcare in Norfolk,” she said. “Seeing the passion, expertise and innovation behind this programme has been truly inspiring, and it’s remarkable to see what has been achieved thanks to the support of the local community.”

Backshall added that the opening of the Institute “is a proud moment for all of us”. The charity is now fundraising for a further £160,000 to help fund a fifth robot “and expand access to this life-changing technology for even more patients”, she said.