£2.61 million of NHS funding to replace Truro radiotherapy machines
One machine's being upgraded now, with another on the way
£2.61 million of NHS funding is coming to Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro - to replace linear accelerator equipment, which provide radiotherapy treatments.
One older unit has already been upgraded at the Sunrise Centre over the last few weeks, and will be tested ahead of treating the first patients this September.
A second machine is also due to be in place before the end of March 2026.
It's all part of a programme by NHS England to replace radiotherapy equipment and is hoped to reduce waiting times for Cornwall's cancer patients.
That'll be through the efficiencies and increased productivity of the newer kit.
Savvas Rizkalla, Head of Radiotherapy Physics at Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust, said:
“We are delighted to have received funding for a second linear accelerator from NHS England’s National Capital Fund following our application in January this year.
“Linacs are very clever and versatile medical devices, in that they use high-energy electron beams to treat cancers with pinpoint accuracy. Having not just one, but two, brand new state-of-the-art linear accelerators installed in the next 12 months will be a real game changer in helping us to reduce cancer waiting times in Cornwall and provide continued outstanding care to our patients.”