A GOVERNMENT push for more radiotherapy machines has been welcomed by ministers as the Royal Berkshire Hospital is among the services to benefit from them.
The hospital in Reading is set to see more equipment used to administer radiotherapy for cancer patients in harder to reach areas, such as cancers affecting the chest, pelvis, and abdomen.
The push, which comes as part of a £70 million investment in cancer care by the government aimed at improving outcomes and treatment through its ‘Plan for Change’.
Older radiotherapy machines will be replaced at 28 trusts across the country, including the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, bringing safer and more precise treatments aimed at targeting tumours and reducing damage on healthy tissues.
It follows a visit to the Royal Berks by Health Secretary Wes Streeting earlier this month, where he was joined by Reading’s MPs Matt Rodda, Yuan Yang, and Olivia Bailey.
Ms Yang welcomed the news, explaining: “We all want cancer patients to receive the best possible treatment and I am pleased therefore that residents in Reading and the surrounding areas will be some of those across the country to benefit from this cutting-edge technology and faster, safer treatment.
“Our Labour government inherited an NHS on its knees but is not only lifting it up but building it fit for the future.”
Following the announcement, Mr 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“But NHS hospitals are forced to use outdated, malfunctioning equipment thanks to 14 years of underinvestment under the previous government.
“Thanks to the investment this government is making in our NHS, we will provide more cancer patients with world-class, cutting-edge care.
“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.”
