The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) and vendor-independent managed equipment services (MES) provider, Ergéa, have celebrated ‘a significant milestone’, with the coming on line of UHL’s latest Halcyon linear accelerator (linac) from Varian Medical Systems.
Ergéa says the development ‘marks a major advancement’ in UHL’s radiotherapy services, ‘boosting treatment capacity, and ensuring that patients have access to cutting-edge cancer care’.
Attendees at the opening ceremony for the new ‘linac’ -- which has been installed at Leicester Royal Infirmary – included Jon Melbourne, COO, Suzanne Nancarrow, associate director of Operations – Cancer, and Mark Norton, General manager. Medical Physics, from UHL, along with members of the clinical teams and those involved with the provision of the bunker.
Ergéa UK has partnered with UHL since 2002, ‘supporting it in delivering innovative healthcare’ by maintaining and upgrading diagnostic imaging, cardiology, and radiotherapy equipment. Last year a comprehensive upgrade of UHL’s radiotherapy fleet was undertaken. and by July 2024, all linacs at UHL – 4 Varian TrueBeams – were modernised, ensuring efficient and reliable treatment delivery.
Ergéa says a key factor in the project’s success was the ‘seamless integration’ of new equipment across the fleet. Both the UHL and Ergéa teams worked diligently to ensure compatibility among the linacs, which enabled ‘consistent and reliable treatment replication’ between machines.
Ergéa said: “The partnership between UHL and Ergéa has resulted in tangible benefits for both the Trust and the wider community, including:
- Two linacs upgraded in record time. UHL now has four upgraded TrueBeams.
- The latest state-of-art Varian Medical Systems ‘Halcyon’ linac. UHL is reportedly one of only 10 UK centres equipped with this advanced linear accelerator, which was installed within just four months, and is currently undergoing commissioning.
- A 25 per cent increase in treatment capacity: The upgraded and expanded fleet enhances treatment capacity, reducing waiting times, and increasing patient throughput.
- Enhanced patient care: The equipment has improved treatment precision, minimised the risk of delays, ensured that patients benefit from the latest advancements in cancer treatment, and contributed to better patient outcomes.
- Reduced backlogs.”
Jon Melbourne, COO at University Hospitals of Leicester, said: “We’re incredibly proud of the radiotherapy services we provide, and the dedication of our teams. We’d also like to express our thanks to Ergéa for its flexibility and support throughout the programme –our partnership has been crucial to the success of this project.”
David Rolfe, CEO of Ergéa UK, added: “We are incredibly proud of our long-standing partnership with UHL, having worked closely with them for over 20 years. Through a managed devices approach, we provide capital investment, access to state-of-the-art equipment, and lifecycle optimisation, all designed to enhance the patient pathway.”
Suzanne Jordan, head of Radiotherapy at UHL, said: “The new machine gives us the opportunity to increase capacity, reduce waiting times, and ensure that more patients receive timely and effective radiotherapy treatment. This new, state-of-the-art machine brings with it new technology to enhance the care we provide to our patients, and it is quicker and quieter.”
