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A new state-of-the-art radiotherapy machine that can deliver faster and high-resolution treatments to cancer patients is being introduced at the specialist Leeds Cancer Centre at St James’s Hospital.

The new linear accelerator (linac) allows a specific dose of radiation to be targeted directly to cancerous cells with more precision and less damage to the healthy cells surrounding them.

It will form an important part of patients’ care plans, providing the most cutting-edge treatment available.

By offering a higher definition radiation beam, the new machine delivers faster treatment and an improved experience for patients.

left to right: Chris Forrest, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust radiotherapy equipment manager; Peter Enever, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust radiotherapy technical lead; Julian Hartley, Chief Executive, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust.

Each patient is given their own personalised radiotherapy treatment plan based on the requirements of their condition so the radiographer can accurately deliver the exact treatment needed.

Radiotherapy is an important part of cancer treatment and, after surgery to remove the tumour, cures more people than cancer drugs.

The older equipment used currently, which is due for replacement in the first half of 2020, still delivers some of the best treatment available in the country.

New radiotherapy machine to deliver cutting edge cancer treatment in Leeds St James’s Hospital