New Linear Accelerator arrives at Christchurch Hospital from the UK

The new Linac, which has come from the UK, is the next milestone in the Oncology Bunker Project. The roof of the new oncology bunker was poured last month in preparation for its arrival. The Linac, which will start giving radiation treatment in April 2010, will replace one of two ageing machines in the Oncology Department, with the second to be replaced before the end of next year.

Delivery trucks will arrive from 7.30am and drive down the side of Christchurch Women’s Hospital to the main entrance of Oncology.

A forklift will unload the crated components from the truck onto the ground, (or onto special trolleys for the heaviest pieces). The various components will then be wheeled in though the main front doors of the Oncology department and into the bunker.

The main components of the Linac will be moved into the bunker about 8.30am., About 9.30am the large drum will be wheeled into the building. This is the heaviest piece at 2.5 tonnes, and requires props to be placed in the basement to carry this load over the floor slab above.

The initial installation work will be done on Saturday, but it will be eight weeks before the machine is fully installed, and then a further 10 weeks of acceptance testing and commissioning before the Linac is ready for full clinical use in mid April.

Canterbury District Health Board Clinical Director Radiation Oncology Iain Ward, says the new Linac machine will be 12 -20 per cent more efficient than its predecessor,  translating to a total of about 1,000 more treatments or 70 more courses of treatment each year.

“It is great news for Canterbury cancer patients as we will be able to provide radiation treatment earlier. The new machines will also more accurately target cancers, limiting the level of radiation reaching surrounding tissue and reducing side effects.”

Other improvements to the Oncology Department in the next year will include a new chemotherapy suite, new clinic rooms, waiting areas  and offices. The total cost of the work, excluding the fourth linac, will be $10 million. Although plans are being made to shift the Oncology Department into stage two of the Christchurch Hospital redevelopment, this won’t happen for about 11 years and the extra capacity for treatment and clinic space is needed as soon as possible.

ENDS