UK Government Funds Radiotherapy Machines for 28 Hospitals to Expand Cancer Treatment

The UK Government is investing £70 million to introduce cutting-edge linear accelerator (Linac) radiotherapy machines in 28 hospitals across England starting in August, aiming to modernize cancer treatment and reduce waiting times. These new machines are prioritized for hospitals with equipment over a decade old and offer safer, more precise targeting of tumors, especially in harder-to-reach areas like the chest and pelvis, while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. The Department of Health and Social Care projects that by March 2027, this upgrade will enable up to 27,500 additional treatments annually, including 4,500 patients receiving their first cancer treatment within the recommended 62 days of referral. Health Secretary Wes Streeting highlighted that outdated equipment due to previous underinvestment has hindered timely care, and praised the new technology for freeing up capacity and reducing hospital visits and appointment cancellations. NHS clinical leaders emphasize that these advanced machines not only improve treatment precision and patient recovery but also support the broader goal of earlier cancer diagnosis and faster access to care. This initiative reflects a broader commitment to modernizing NHS cancer services and ensuring patients receive world-class treatment more efficiently.