MILLIONS of pounds worth of state-of-the-art cancer equipment is to be installed at Mount Vernon Hospital to cut delays and improve treatment for patients in Hertfordshire, it was announced on Tuesday, July 2.

Three linear accelerators, which target high-energy radiation beams to destroy tumours and cost about £1 million each, will strengthen services at the hospital's reputable cancer centre in Northwood.

The heartening news comes just weeks after a regional review of the Mount Vernon cancer network recommended building a new centre with modern facilities elsewhere in the county.

Coinciding with NHS Week, the investment is part of a £70 million national package for new cancer care equipment, announced by Health Secretary Alan Milburn.

The new machines join two others, funded through the Lottery's New Opportunity Fund in 1999, which are already installed and will soon be treating patients.

One of the new accelerators will replace an existing one, as new versions are more more reliable and more effective in treating tumours.

It is estimated the three accelerators will be able to treat about 1,920 extra patients per year.

Dr Jane Halpin, lead clinician of the Mount Vernon Cancer Network, said: "This is excellent news. I very much welcome the continuing development of cancer services which will benefit patients across the whole network.

"The new accelerators will make a significant contribution to reducing the waiting time for radiotherapy treatment.

"Introducing them will also improve the surroundings in which patients are treated an important factor in helping them manage their condition and retain their dignity."

Dr Peter Ostler, clinical director of cancer services, said: "This is a great step towards meeting the cancer centre's requirement for ten linear accelerators.

"The continued investment in the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre will allow us to continue to provide excellent treatment for our patients and allow the essential ongoing radiation research undertaken by the Gray Institute independent research centre based at Mount Vernon and the centre."

July 3, 2002 17:00