£70million for modern radiotherapy
After four years of tireless campaigning by Radiotherapy UK and our wonderful supporters, the government has announced a £70million investment in new radiotherapy treatment machines.
The news comes days after the launch of our Modern Radiotherapy Report in the House of Commons. A record 65 Parliamentarians joined the radiotherapy community to vouch support for modern radiotherapy. Doing so can cut waiting times and power better outcomes for cancer patients.
It is the first time in years that radiotherapy has been recognised by the government as an equally important player in curing cancer.
Radiotherapy UK Chair Professor Pat Price welcomed the news as a great starting point in The Guardian.
“While £70m is a very welcome first significant investment in new radiotherapy machines since 2016, if the government is serious about cutting cancer treatment waiting lists, there’s a lot more that needs to be done.
“Investing £350m in radiotherapy by replacing out-of-date machines alongside new technologies could free up 87,000 cancer appointments and super-boost the capacity of our cancer workforce.”
Professor Price, co-founder of the #CatchUpWithCancer campaign, has also called for investment in the radiotherapy workforce with recruitment, retention and training plans.
Cancer cases are growing in the UK. 1 in 2 of us will get cancer. The NHS 62-day treatment target, considered essential for better cure rates and quality of life, has not been met since 2015.
Andy Tudor, Radiotherapy UK trustee and brain tumour survivor, said:
“Many of us are only here because of timely and effective radiotherapy treatment.
“I got the treatment I needed on time, both surgery and radiotherapy, and everyone deserves the same. It shouldn’t be a postcode lottery.”
£70million hot on heels of Radiotherapy UK report launch
Our new productivity report – Curing more patients with cancer, quicker: Unlocking modern radiotherapy makes a powerful case for investing in the radiotherapy workforce, technology and infrastructure.
Its recommendations include:
- Curing cancer earlier by ensuring access to SABR (Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy) for all cancer patients
- Investing in modern and up-to-date machines to deliver high-tech, high quality and cost-effective treatment
- Delivering world-class radiotherapy to improve patient outcomes and reduce side-effects
- Cutting hospital visits through modern treatment, to reduce hospital appointments for patients
- Providing nation-wide Surface Guided Radiotherapy (SGRT) to increase treatment efficiency and improve patient experience
- Harnessing AI innovation to increase efficiency and quality-improving patient outcomes
- Modernising the Radiotherapy Tariff
Bryan Robson OBE backs modern radiotherapy
Radiotherapy UK’s findings are endorsed by our Patron, Bryan Robson OBE, who said:
“Radiotherapy is one our best players in the fight against cancer, so why is it on the bench?
“We must invest in this life-saving treatment so it can help cure thousands of UK cancer patients. I was one of the lucky ones. I got the radiotherapy I needed, and it saved my life. Now I’m campaigning to make sure every UK cancer patient gets the treatment they need, where they need it, and when they need it.
“Unnecessary delays in cancer treatment put patients’ lives at risk and harms the health of our nation. Let’s change this by working together, accepting there is a problem, and taking action to Catch Up With Cancer right now. I urge our new government and
decision makers to get cancer services back in the Premier League.”
Radiotherapy UK would like to thank everyone that has supported the charity’s advocacy and our #CatchUpWithCancer campaign, and give a special Thank You to co-founders Craig and Mandy Russell.
#CatchUpWithCancer campaign
The campaign and petition were launched back in 2020 by Craig and Mandy Russell and Professor Pat Price.
Craig and Mandy lost their daughter, Kelly Smith, at the age of 31. Her cancer treatment was stopped because of the pandemic and she died just a few weeks later, leaving behind her family and young son. Since then, the Russell family have campaigned tirelessly, urging the government to catch up with cancer.
