Radiotherapy machine set to boost cancer care

NEWCASTLE is to get a cutting-edge new radiotherapy machine as part of a £70m investment designed to improve cancer care and bring down NHS waiting lists.

- SAM VOLPE Health Reporter

The city’s hospital trust is one of three in the North East and Yorkshire set to receive one of a new “linear accelerator” (LINAC) machines.

There will be 28 such machines purchased across the country as part of the Government's NHS “plan for chance”.

Health Minister Ashley Dalton said the new “much more efficient” machines would help to free up NHS capacity, bring down waiting lists and improve the experience had by cancer patients.

Ms Dalton said: “Essentially it's about making sure that we are delivering the best treatment for people. This is all part of our Plan for Change and the funding was secured as part of the £26m in the autumn budget for the NHS.

“We were looking to replace outdated machines. If you look at some of the machines being replaced, they're more than ten years old and some have a history of being unreliable.”

The other hospital trusts in the North East and Yorkshire to receive a new machine will be in South Tees and Sheffield.