See full list of hospitals getting machines to speed up cancer treatment
The Department for Health and Social Care said the updated tech will cut rounds of radiotherapy and reach cancers in harder to treat areas like chest, abdomen and pelvis
Thousands of cancer patients will see faster treatment with cutting-edge radiotherapy machines being rolled out at NHS hospitals.
The Department for Health and Social Care said the updated tech will cut rounds of radiotherapy and reach cancers in harder to treat areas like chest, abdomen and pelvis.
The government said that by March 2027 the new linear accelerator (LINAC) treatment machines will help 4,500 more patients get treatment faster. They are being rolled out in 28 hospitals across England from August - backed by £70million in funding to improve the nation's cancer care.
The roll-out will first be prioritised in hospitals which are currently using outdated treatment machines older than 10 years, the government said. Writing for The Mirror, Health Minister Karin Smyth, who has previously spoken about her own diagnosis of skin cancer, said the changes will mean fewer hospital visits for many patients.
She added: "For anyone who has experienced cancer, you'll know that time is precious. Every day spent waiting for treatment is a day of added worry. By modernising our NHS, we will help ease the anxiety of waiting while delivering world class care.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting added: 'There is a revolution taking place in medical technology which can transform treatment for cancer patients. But NHS hospitals are forced to use outdated, malfunctioning equipment thanks to 14 years of underinvestment under the previous government.
"Thanks to the investment this government is making in our NHS, we will provide more cancer patients with world-class, cutting-edge care."
He added: "By reducing the number of hospital visits required and preventing cancelled appointments, these state-of-the-art radiotherapy machines free up capacity so that thousands more patients are treated on time.
"As a cancer survivor, I know just how important timely treatment is. These machines are part of the investment and modernisation that will cut waiting times for patients, through our plan for change."
Kate Seymour, Head of External Affairs at Macmillan Cancer Support, added: 'Today marks an exciting step forward for cancer treatment in England. Many people across the country are facing long delays for care but today proves that better is possible. Investment in cutting edge technology is essential to bring down waiting times and help more people with cancer get the best care the UK has to offer, whoever and wherever they are.'
The full list of hospitals receiving an upgraded scanner
- Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust
- United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
- Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
- Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
- Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
- Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
- South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
- Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
- Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
- The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust
- University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
- University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Barts Health NHS Trust
- Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust
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