The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust is preparing to launch a new state-of-the-art radiotherapy machine for people across the North Mersey area with breast, prostate and other cancers.
The new £2.2 million linear accelerator, known as the Varian Truebeam®, has been installed at the trust’s Aintree site and is undergoing eight weeks of testing by scientists and radiographers to ensure the technology is safe and the radiation is able to be ‘precisely’ targeted to each patient.
According to the trust, the linear accelerator is ‘more efficient’ than conventional radiotherapy machines and will contribute ‘higher’ quality imaging, as well as offer a ‘faster’ delivery of radiation, which will provide swifter treatments for many patients.
Carolyn Dooley, Principal Clinical Scientist and Medical Physics Expert for the project, The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS FT, said: “We’re really excited to be welcoming this machine to the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre – Aintree. Often, people undergoing radiotherapy need to attend the hospital every day for a week at a time and so anything that makes their experience as good and as seamless as possible is a real positive.
“For example, when having radiotherapy, people with breast cancer are usually asked to hold their breath to help lift their chest away from vital organs so the fact that the new machine can deliver faster treatment is incredibly helpful.
Julie Massey, Director of Radiation Services, The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS FT, added: “This is a fantastic investment in radiotherapy services and will mean that our specialist team of radiographers can deliver the most advanced radiation treatment to anyone needing it.
“All our radiographers are trained in using the latest technologies which are generally more user friendly, more efficient and have more uses than previous models so anyone needing radiation treatment can be seen be any of our radiographers in either of our treatment rooms – removing any delay and ensuring a better experience for everyone.”
