State-of-the-art radiotherapy machine benefits cancer patients across Berkshire
A new £1.6m radiotherapy machine has replaced an older piece of equipment in the Berkshire Cancer Centre (BCC) at the Royal Berkshire Hospital with one of the most advanced linear accelerator (LINAC) models currently available.
Funded by the £130m national investment programme, the machine will offer quick and effective care and offer the best possible treatment to hundreds of cancer patients every year.
Welcoming guests to the official opening Dr Warren Fisher, Care Group Director of Planned Care said: “The new LINAC will enhance services already available for patients at the Berkshire Cancer Centre and is a real development in delivering high quality technologically advanced treatment.
“I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible amount of work that went into this project; our radiotherapists and physics staff did a fantastic job providing additional evening and weekend clinics to ensure there was no disruption to services; our estates team and builders who worked hard to plan around patient need, and Elekta, the suppliers of the LINAC, for their knowledge and expertise on the installation. A huge thank you to everyone, it really has been a remarkable display of team working.
“I would also like to take the opportunity to say a special thank you to everyone who donated to the Royal Berks Charity Berkshire Cancer Centre appeal, which supported the specialised building works needed with a donation of £1M.”
Paula Horne, BCC’s radiotherapy services manager said: “Radiotherapy is an important part of cancer treatment; it has developed into an extremely technologically advanced, cost-effective and safe way of treating cancer, and around 40 per cent of all patients with a cancer diagnosis will receive radiotherapy as part of their treatment plan.
“The LINAC is the device most commonly used for external beam radiation treatments for all parts and organs of the body, it works through delivering high-energy x-rays or electrons to the region of the patient's tumour. The new machine offers the most up-to-date imaging and treatment techniques, and this investment in the latest technology is great news for our patients.”
22 November 2018