The Oncology Department at Groote Schuur Hospital has now unveiled its brand new R35-million halcyon radiotherapy machine. This new machine was introduced to help manage the hospital’s growing number of cancer patients who require treatment.
The hospital’s Oncology Department treats more than 3 000 patients annually, and this number rises every year. More than half of these patients require radiotherapy, and this is used either to cure or ease the effects of their cancer.
Groote Schuur treats nearly 40 000 follow-up patients every year.
The machine cost a reported R36-million, and is not the hospital’s only new edition. Two other new radiotherapy machines were installed, as well as a new state-of-the-art brachytherapy machine.
The new halcyon radiotherapy machine means that the hospital is now able to treat up to 40 patients per day and it uses a linear particle accelerator to give high-quality radiotherapy.
Speaking to IOL, the hospital’s Head of Radiation Oncology Jeanette Parkes offers simplified treatment procedures and self-shielding.
