Rushcliffe MP James Naish has welcomed news that Rushcliffe and Nottingham residents will be some of the thousands of cancer patients across the country who will see faster treatment thanks to the government’s roll-out of new radiotherapy machines, including to Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH).
The cutting-edge machines will help cut waiting times and get more patients treated faster by cutting the rounds of radiotherapy needed and reaching cancers in harder to treat areas like the chest, abdomen and pelvis.
James Naish welcomed the government’s investment saying, “I hope access to these cutting-edge machines will help give more cancer patients in Rushcliffe the best possible treatment”.
The rollout is backed by £70 million as part of the government’s mission to improve cancer care. Across the country, replacing older machines will save as many as 13,000 appointments from being lost to equipment breakdown; and by March 2027, up to 27,500 additional treatments per year will be delivered, including up to 4,500 receiving their first treatment for cancer within 62-days of referral, helping to treat more cancer patients in faster time.
Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the new machines being rolled out at 28 major hospitals are safer for patients and can more precisely target tumours, causing less damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
James said: “We all want cancer patients to receive the best possible treatment and I am pleased, therefore, that Rushcliffe residents will be some of thousands across the country to benefit from cutting-edge technology and faster, safer treatment.
“The government inherited an NHS on its knees but as we have seen with the increase in hospital appointments, the fall in waiting lists and increased funding for GPs and community pharmacies, work is underway to not only lift the NHS up, but to ensure that it is fit for the future.”
Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said:
“There is a revolution taking place in medical technology which can transform treatment for cancer patients. But NHS hospitals are forced to use outdated, malfunctioning equipment thanks to 14 years of underinvestment under the previous government.
“By reducing the number of hospital visits required and preventing cancelled appointments, these state of the art radiotherapy machines free up capacity so that thousands more patients are treated on time.
“As a cancer survivor, I know just how important timely treatment is. These machines are part of the investment and modernisation that will cut waiting times for patients, through our Plan for Change.”
