Health Minister Karin Smyth, who has previously spoken about her skin cancer diagnosis, writes for The Mirror on new cutting-edge machines to deliver faster treatment
A revolution in cancer care: How thousands of patients will benefit from high-tech new kit
As someone who has received a cancer diagnosis, I know all too well the anxiety that comes with cancer care. You know it’s necessary, but the last thing you want is to go back into hospital for another round of exhausting treatment.
This is made worse by creaking, outdated radiotherapy machines that break down, causing appointments to be cancelled at the last minute, or take longer than needed, slowing down patients’ recovery. 14 years of Conservative underinvestment left cancer patients having to be treated with clunky kit that denied them the care they deserve.
Everybody knows long waits for cancer care were all too common in the NHS this government inherited.
For far too long, hardworking staff have been forced to use outdated equipment, leading to breakdowns, delays and cancelled appointments for patients.
The reality is stark: 13,000 appointments are lost each year due to equipment failure. This is unacceptable for patients already going through one of the most difficult experiences of their lives.That’s why I’m delighted to tell Mirror readers today that from August, thousands of cancer patients will see faster treatment thanks to cutting-edge new machines we’re delivering at hospitals across the country.
Labour’s Plan for Change is investing £70 million into high-tech linear accelerator (LINAC) machines. These cutting-edge radiotherapy machines will be rolled out to 28 sites covering the length and breadth of England – from Cornwall to Yorkshire, and from Teesside to Essex.
By March 2027, they will deliver 27,500 additional treatments annually, meaning an extra 4,500 patients will begin their treatment on time. This kit represents the very best of medical innovation, using precise technology to target tumours more effectively while causing less damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
For many patients, this means fewer hospital visits – in some cases cutting the number of required treatments by half. This precision is particularly valuable for treating cancers in hard-to-reach areas like the chest, abdomen and pelvis, where traditional radiotherapy can be more challenging and cause more side effects.
There is a scientific revolution taking place today, with medical treatments changing and advancing rapidly. This government is putting our NHS at the forefront of that revolution, so all patients benefit from modern technology, not just those who can afford to go private. For anyone who has experienced cancer, you’ll know that time is precious. Every day spent waiting for treatment is a day of added worry. By modernising our NHS, we will help ease the anxiety of waiting while delivering world class care.