A brand new £500,000 state-of-the-art radiotherapy CT scanner was officially opened at Musgrove Park Hospital yesterday (Thursday 14 June) by the Mayor of Taunton, Cllr Catherine Herbert.
The scanner is a vital piece of equipment which is essential in the planning of radiotherapy treatment.
The SURE charity (Somerset Unit for Radiotherapy Equipment) has raised the money to buy the radiotherapy scanner through the dedication of its team of fundraisers in the community.
Jo Penman, head of radiotherapy services at Musgrove Park Hospital, said: “This new CT will provide our patients with a state of the art scanning, which is quicker for patients and provides greater accuracy with better image quality.
“We want to thank our charity, SURE, and its fundraisers, as well as the people of Somerset for their generosity in raising this essential funding to pay for the new scanner. “The work that SURE does continues to support our radiotherapy department with its endless dedication and efforts and this benefits patients with cancer across the whole of our region. “Our staff have also worked really hard over the last months to ensure that our patients have been scanned for their radiotherapy in a professional and efficient way without incurring any delays to their treatment.”
The radiotherapy CT planning scanner is the first major piece of equipment to be upgraded as part of a three year equipment replacement programme. This will enable the Beacon Centre to continue to provide the latest range of radiotherapy treatments for its patients.
Mayor of Taunton Deane, Catherine Herbert, said: “Musgrove Park Hospital, its dedicated staff and volunteers tirelessly serve our community every day. It is essential that they have the equipment they need to give them the best chance of helping as many people as possible.
“We are very lucky and proud to have Musgrove Park Hospital in the town and it is thanks to a lot of hard work to raise funds that we are able to open this new CT scanner here today. Thank you to everyone involved.”
Paul Alway, chair of SURE, said: “Having provided the original radiotherapy CT scanner when the Beacon Centre opened in 2009, SURE readily agreed to take on raising the funds to replace it, plus two years maintenance. “Our amazing supporters raised over £550,000 in just 18 months, thanks to some generous legacies and the fantastic response from the people of Somerset. “Our supporters are committed to ensuring the Beacon Centre and Musgrove Park has the equipment required to deliver first class cancer diagnosis and treatment.”
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