East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust has invested £10million in three new state-of-the-art radiotherapy machines, providing faster treatment with improved accuracy and convenience for patients receiving treatment at the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (MVCC) in Northwood.
The new Varian Halcyon and Ethos linear accelerator machines will use beams of high energy x-rays, to give radiotherapy for patients with cancer anywhere in the body. The new machines are able to image and treat cancer patients faster, delivering high-quality image-guided radiotherapy with advanced technology.
It is expected that the three new linear accelerator machines will be on site and operational by April 2024.
Sarah James, Divisional Director for Cancer Services at East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust – which runs the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre – said:
I am delighted that we have been able to buy the new linear accelerators, or linacs, for the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre.
“The new linacs mean we will have the very latest technology at the Cancer Centre and deliver even more accurate radiotherapy treatment for our patients who are living with a range of cancers.
“This means patients will be able to receive radiotherapy treatment more quickly, improving their lives and outcomes.”
The procurement of the three linear accelerators is part of a series of improvements being made to the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre as we continue to plan for its long-term future as part of the MVCC Review.
More details about the MVCC Review being led by NHS England can be found on the MVCC Review webpage.
