The major, two-phase project to install four new Elekta Synergy Linacs is now complete.  The first two Linacs (Units 7 and 8) started treating patients in August 2008.  When they were operational, th two old Elekta units (the 15 and 15a) were decommissioned, the rooms were refurbished and the second pair of new Elekta Synergy Linacs were installed.  These began patient treament in September 2008.

 

The whole project went according to plan and all Linacs were treating patients on time and within budget thanks to the tremendous efforts of many staff in St Luke's Hospital working with Elekta.  Around the same time the IMPAC information management system was installed first for the new Linacs then across the whole Radiotherapy Department.

 

The combination of the new Linacs and IMPAC have allowed an increase in our treatment capacity and an unprecedented opportunity to expand the accurate delivery of IMRT treatment techniques through the use of the image guided technology on the LInacs.  IMRT is now being used for patients where standard approaches are not optimal and for an increasing number of clinical trial patients.  This in turn allows the radiation oncologists deliver maximum dose to the tumour and reduce the dose to normal tissues, improving patient outcomes.

 

Congratulations are due to everyone involved in this project for all the hard work involved in the smooth, safe introduction of very complex technology.