NHS Supply Chain (http://www.supplychain.nhs.uk/) will bring state-of-the-art cancer treatment to the United Kingdom by signing a deal to purchase ten Elekta Synergy® (http://www.elekta.com/healthcare-professionals/products/elekta-oncology/oncology-treatment-solutions/elekta-synergy.html) radiation therapy treatment systems. They will be delivered over the next 18 months. The deal begins to address the shortage of linear accelerators (linacs) in the U.K. and the replacement of aging linacs. According to the National Radiotherapy Advisory Group (NRAG), the NHS in England alone will need to replace a significant number of linacs between 2012 and 2016*. The order was booked during Elekta's fourth quarter 2011/12.
"NHS Supply Chain's selection of Elekta treatment solutions, as part of its efforts to improve cancer care in the United Kingdom, is a great honor," says Bill Yaeger, Executive Vice President, Elekta Oncology. "We hope to continue supporting its ongoing endeavors and are dedicated to being a valuable partner as NHS hospitals enhance their cancer management capabilities."
By acquiring the Elekta Synergy system, NHS Supply Chain will have the world's first linac to bring 3D and 4D image guidance into the treatment set-up process. The system is equipped with imaging tools that help clinicians visualize tumor targets and normal tissue, and their movement.
The integrated digital linac will allow NHS Supply Chain hospitals and clinics to evolve with the latest clinical advancements such as Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) (http://www.elekta.com/healthcare-professionals/products/elekta-oncology/treatment-techniques/delivery-techniques/elekta-vmat.html) or a system upgrade with the Agility™ (http://www.elekta.com/healthcare-professionals/products/elekta-oncology/treatment-techniques/beam-shaping/agility.html utm_source=agility&utm_medium=redirect&utm_campaign=redirects) beam-shaping device.
Source: NHS Supply Chain
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