12 June 2017 – Varian Medical Systems has installed its 100th TrueBeam linear accelerator in the UK, just seven years after the company's flagship product was launched. The milestone machine has been installed at Royal Surrey Hospital in Guildford. Globally, more than 1,750 TrueBeam systems have been installed to date.
"The NHS has invested heavily in new radiotherapy and radiosurgery treatment technologies and is the UK is the first country in Europe –and only the third in the world after the U.S. and Japan - to install 100 TrueBeam systems," said Adele Lyons, Varian's sales director in the UK and Ireland.
"St. Luke's Cancer Centre at the Royal Surrey is one of the UK's premier radiation oncology departments and it's fitting that such a pioneering hospital should receive this milestone machine."
Royal Surrey currently runs seven TrueBeam systems machines over two sites, treating over 3,000 NHS patients each year. The new system, which replaces an 11-year-old linear accelerator, is hoped to be fully clinically operational and treating patients by early autumn.
Sue Sjuve, Chair at St. Luke's, said: "Modern radiotherapy plays a vital role not only in survival, but also relieving the symptoms of cancer patients. The continued investment in service at St Luke's Cancer Centre will ensure that the people of Surrey, Hampshire and West Sussex have access to cutting edge cancer treatment."
