Patients across Derbyshire and Staffordshire to benefit from £70 million national investment in new radiotherapy machines
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton (UHDB) is one of 28 NHS Trusts across England set to receive a new, state-of-the-art linear accelerator (LINAC) radiotherapy machine, as part of a £70 million national investment in radiotherapy equipment by NHS England to provide faster access to cancer care.
The funding, announced by the Government, aims to replace the oldest radiotherapy machines currently in use across the NHS and will see thousands of patients benefit from faster and safer cancer treatment. At UHDB, this means one of the Trust’s four LINACs — now approaching the end of its operational life — will be retired and replaced with the new technology.
Improved capacity and patient experience
The upgraded LINAC will offer improved imaging capabilities, greater reliability, and enhanced efficiency. The upgrade machines are particularly effective at targeting cancers in harder to treat areas, such as the chest, abdomen, and pelvis.
Once operational, the machine is expected to increase treatment capacity at UHDB by up to 20% and reduce appointment times for some patients. For example, prostate cancer radiotherapy appointments, which currently take around 15 minutes, will be reduced to approximately 10 minutes. The new machine’s advanced imaging technology allows for faster and more precise visualisation of tumours, improving both safety and treatment effectiveness.
Lydia Kedziorek, Principal Treatment Superintendent at UHDB said: "Patients at other centres using similar upgraded machines have reported a better overall experience, in particular around the quieter operation and the more familiar design of the look of the machine, which resembles a CT scanner. They've noticed this has helped reduce anxiety, particularly for those who have previously undergone these types of appointments."
The upgraded LINAC is part of a long-term strategy to improve radiotherapy services across the NHS. As future rollouts continue, UHDB will maintain a mix of radiotherapy machine types to ensure that a wide range of cancers can continue to be effectively treated.
This investment represents a significant step forward in improving cancer care for UHDB's patients across Derbyshire and Staffordshire.