Latest news with #radiotherapy
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Southend Hospital to receive second new 'state-of-the-art' radiotherapy machine
A second new state-of-the-art radiotherapy machine is set to be introduced at Southend Hospital in a bid to provide faster cancer treatment. The new linear accelerator (LINAC) machine is set to be installed by March next year and will be funded by the government. This will sit alongside the current operating machine that was brought in earlier this year. The addition comes as part of the government's £70 million investment to enhance cancer care through its Plan for Change. David Burton-Sampson, MP for Southend West and Leigh, expressed his delight at the news. Mr Burton-Sampson said: "It is great that we are one of the lucky ones earmarked to receive a new radiography machine at our hospital. "It is fantastic news for people needing crucial cancer care. "It was wonderful to go to the hospital only last week and see the newly installed LINAC machine, to now hear we will be getting another in a few months' time is a huge leap forward for treatment in our city. "This modern technology will reduce delays, which is critically important when treating cancer. "It will improve outcomes for everyone. "The new machines mean that some people will need fewer rounds of treatment, and they will receive more precise treatments, which helps them to recover sooner." "This government said it would fix the NHS and it is doing exactly that. "I welcome the improvements in care at our hospital; it is excellent news for patients and their families." This comes after a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Southend Hospital earlier this week to mark the opening of the first LINAC machine. This introduction was described as a "major step forward" in cancer treatment across Essex, and is part of a £5.3million purpose-built extension to the radiotherapy department at Southend Hospital. The first machine has already been in use for several weeks, with 20 patients having received daily radiotherapy courses.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
New radiotherapy machine for Lincoln hospital
A Lincolnshire hospital is to get a new radiotherapy County Hospital will receive the linear accelerator (Linac) machine as part of a national investment equipment can cut the number of rounds of radiotherapy needed by patients and reach cancer in harder-to-treat areas such as the chest, the abdomen and the up to 27,000 extra rounds of treatment could be delivered using the machines by 2027, the government said. NHS national clinical director for cancer Prof Peter Johnson said: "Radiotherapy is essential for many cancer patients, so it's great news that the investment in new machines means that some will need fewer rounds of treatment, as we bring in more sophisticated techniques."These machines will deliver more precise treatment for patients, which helps them to recover sooner, as well as enabling the NHS to treat people more efficiently as we continue in our efforts to catch and treat more cancers faster."The 28 hospitals to benefit under the £70m investment programme were selected because they use Linac machines more than 10 years to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
New radiotherapy machine and £5.3m extension at Southend Hospital officially opens
A STATE-of-the-art radiotherapy machine that carries out bespoke treatments for patients with a range of cancers has officially opened at Southend Hospital. The 'LINAC' radiotherapy machine, which uses advanced technology to deliver precise treatments, has been welcomed with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. It forms part of the £5.3million purpose-built extension to the radiotherapy department at Southend Hospital and is described as a 'major step forward' in cancer treatment across Essex. CEO Matthew Hopkins, first patient Leslie Cast, and Nicky Whilde, head of radiotherapy physics (Image: Mid and South Essex NHS Trust) Nicky Whilde, head of radiotherapy physics at Mid and South Essex NHS Trust, said: 'This is an advanced piece of equipment that will mean that more patients in mid and south Essex receive their radiotherapy with the latest technology. 'It uses surface-guided radiation therapy cameras to guide the radiotherapy, meaning radiation is delivered to the exact location of the tumour and minimises damage to surrounding healthy tissues. 'The machine can also adapt its doses as the tumour changes shape over time.' Essex County councillors in front of the new LINAC machine (Image: Mid and South Essex NHS Trust) The machine has already been in use for several weeks, with 20 patients having received daily radiotherapy courses. Leslie Cast, 79, from St Lawrence, Maldon, was the first patient to receive treatment using the new machine. He was present at the ceremony, along with Bayo Alaba, MP for Southend East and Rochford; David Burton-Sampson, MP for Southend West and Leigh; Dame Rebecca Harris, MP for Castle Point; and Richard Holden, MP for Basildon and Billericay. Mr Burton-Sampson said: 'This is an exciting step forward for cancer care in Southend. 'Developments like the introduction of the hospital's new LINAC radiotherapy machine can't come soon enough. 'Patients will receive the very best care with this cutting-edge technology. It will ensure patients get the best chance for recovery.' Dame Rebecca Harris added: 'This is brilliant news for people living in Castle Point and across south Essex. 'This will improve outcomes and experiences for people going through some of the toughest times in their lives. 'It's encouraging to see such an important development for Southend Hospital, and I want to thank everyone who's worked so hard to make it a reality.'
BBC News
6 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
New radiotherapy machines set to speed cancer treatment
Thousands of cancer patients will receive faster treatment thanks to new "state-of-the-art" radiotherapy machines, the government has every region in the country, 28 hospitals, including ones managed by the Royal Berkshire and Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts, are to receive the cutting-edge equipment. The Department of Health & Social Care said that by March 2027, "up to 27,500 additional treatments per year will be delivered, including up to 4,500 receiving their first treatment for cancer within 62-days of referral".The machines will be rolled out from August, funded by a £70m investment as part of the plans to improve cancer care. The government said the new linear accelerator (LINAC) machines would replace the older ones, saving "save as many as 13,000 appointments from being lost to equipment breakdown".It said the new machines were "safer for patients" and "can more precisely target tumours".The technology is being prioritised in hospitals which are currently using outdated treatment machines older than 10 Secretary Wes Streeting said that as a cancer survivor, "I know just how important timely treatment is"."There is a revolution taking place in medical technology which can transform treatment for cancer patients," Mr Streeting said."But NHS hospitals are forced to use outdated, malfunctioning equipment thanks to 14 years of underinvestment under the previous government."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."The investment follows on from the government rolling out 13 new bone density scanners across the country which will allow 29,000 extra bone scans delivered per government said that "over 3 million appointments have already been delivered since the end of June 2024, smashing the government's target of delivering 2 million extra operations, scans and appointments."It added that "significant work" was being carried out to get cancers diagnosed "more quickly than ever before".A full list on the trusts receiving an upgraded scanner is available on the government website. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Four London hospitals to get state-of-the-art radiotherapy machines, ministers announce
Cutting-edge radiotherapy machines will be rolled out in 28 hospitals across England, four of those being based in London to speed up cancer treatment, ministers have announced. A £70 million Government investment will see linear accelerator (Linac) machines rolled out at hospitals across the nation from August. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the new technology would "free up capacity so that thousands more patients are treated on time". The Linac machines are being prioritised in hospitals where existing machinery is over a decade old. The latest technology is safer for patients than older radiotherapy machines, and can more closely target tumours and cause less damage to health tissue. The machines are particularly effective with harder to reach areas of the body, like the chest and pelvis. READ MORE: High cholesterol doctor shares three 'smell symptoms' which are 'early red flags' READ MORE: 'I'm a doctor - weight loss jabs like Mounjaro can come with 3 big side effects' The Department for Health and Social Care claims the new Linac machines could reduce the number of hospital visits patients have to make for radiotherapy treatment. It says that by March 2027, up to 27,500 additional treatments per year will be delivered, including up to 4,500 receiving their first treatment for cancer within 62-days of referral. Mr Streeting said: "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 under-investment 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." NHS national clinical director for cancer Professor Peter Johnson said: "Radiotherapy is essential for many cancer patients, so it's great news that the investment in new machines means that some will need fewer rounds of treatment, as we bring in more sophisticated techniques. These machines will deliver more precise treatment for patients, which helps them to recover sooner, as well as enabling the NHS to treat people more efficiently as we continue in our efforts to catch and treat more cancers faster." Charity Macmillan Cancer described the announcement as an "exciting step forward for cancer treatment in England". Kate Seymour, head of external affairs at the charity, added: "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." Shadow health secretary Edward Argar said: "This capital investment in new radiotherapy machines should be welcomed by everyone. It builds on previous investment in diagnostics by the previous Conservative government, with upgrades to provide more state-of-the-art new CT and MRI scanners. Today's announcement mirrors this in treatments, with new equipment to improve access to radiotherapy after diagnosis. "But ensuring an early diagnosis remains key to tackling cancer, being able to access the treatment these machines can provide, and to getting better outcomes for patients, so alongside investment in new kit, it is vital the Government reinstates the early cancer diagnosis targets they dropped recently." The 28 hospital trusts receiving an upgraded scanner are: – 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 Looking for more from MyLondon? 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