The urgent need to invest in modern, accessible radiotherapy across the UK was the focus of a mainstream TV news feature on Friday night.
A special report by Rebecca Barry on ITV News featured analysis by Radiotherapy UK indicating that 25 per cent of treatment machines will be out of date by the end of this year, in England alone. Updating older machines and supporting the radiotherapy workforce could unlock 87,500 extra appointments every year.
The feature also drew attention to the speed and efficiency of modern treatments like Surface-guided Radiotherapy (SGRT) and the 7.4million people that live beyond the recommended travel times for radiotherapy treatment.
ITV News VIDEO: Analysis reveals a quarter of England’s radiotherapy technology is out of date
Radiotherapy in the spotlight
- Patient Alix Cooper, who has benefited from modern SGRT, praised the benefits of modern radiotherapy. Alix was the second patient to receive the quick and accurate treatment at Addenbrooke’s Hospital and said it was: “Like something out of Marvel Universe.”
- Also interviewed was our very own Professor Pat Price, who urged the government to invest in cost-effective radiotherapy for the sake of UK cancer patients, and said that treating patients on older machines was ‘not Ok.’
- Nick Fletcher, who volunteers with Radiotherapy UK as a patient reviewer, also shared his experience of an 100-mile roundtrip for treatment: “You get to the point where you think ‘can I actually complete this treatment?'” Like 7.4million people in the UK, Nick lives further than the recommended 45minute journey for treatment.
Lord Darzi’s report on the NHS recently stressed that more than 30 per cent of patients are waiting longer than 31 days for radical radiotherapy. Yet the radiotherapy community’s World-class Radiotherapy in the UK Vision presents strong evidence that investment in this life-saving treatment and the radiotherapy workforce could significantly improve patient outcomes and waiting times.
What can you do to boost radiotherapy?
- Join 623,449 people and sign our #CatchUpWithCancer petition
- Email your MP and encourage them to attend our next event on October 23rd, 2024
