UK Health Service to Spend GBP 21.5 Million Upgrading Radiotherapy Resources

The UK’s National Health Service has agreed to acquire linear accelerators, and software from a human care company in a deal valued at GBP 21.5 million.

The order includes linear accelerators (linacs), multileaf collimators, and a system for improving the speed and reducing the radiation dose of radiation therapy treatment. The equipment and software will be delivered over the next two years.

The deal was signed between the UK National Health Service Supply Chain (NHSSC) and Elekta (Stockholm, Sweden). Elekta develops tools and treatment planning systems for radiation therapy, radiosurgery, brachytherapy, and brain disorders, and workflow enhancement software for cancer care.

The deal includes Synergy linacs, Agility multileaf collimators for high speed beam shaping, and Elekta’s Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) to improve the speed of radiation therapy treatment and reduce the radiation dose the patient is exposed to. During VMAT treatments radiation therapy is delivered in one or several uninterrupted arcs. This reduces the patient treatment time compared to current step-and-shoot delivery systems.

Andy Brown, managing director, NHS Supply Chain Capital Solutions, said, “The Capital Team supports patient care by delivering the latest equipment at the best value. These systems are a key part of delivering world class cancer care and by using the Department of Health’s Capital Equipment fund to support the bulk procurement with Elekta, we have released greater value for trusts and savings back to the NHS.”

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