Labour MP, Jeff Smith, has today welcomed news that cancer patients from the North West will be some of the thousands of cancer patients across the country who will see faster treatment thanks to the Labour government’s roll out of new radiotherapy machines.

The cutting-edge machines will help cut waiting times and get more patients treated faster; by cutting the rounds of radiotherapy needed and reaching cancers in harder to treat areas like the chest, abdomen and pelvis.

Jeff welcomed Labour’s investment saying that  ‘I hope access to these cutting-edge machines will help give more cancer patients in Manchester Withington the best possible treatment’.

The rollout is backed by £70 million provided by the Labour government as part of its mission to improve cancer care through its Plan for Change.

Across the country, replacing these older machines will save as many as 13,000 appointments from being lost to equipment breakdown and by March 2027, up to 27,500 additional treatments per year will be delivered, including up to 4,500 receiving their first treatment for cancer within 62-days of referral, helping to treat more cancer patients in faster time.

Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the machines are safer for patients and can more precisely target tumours, causing less damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

Jeff Smith, MP for Manchester Withington said:

“We all want cancer patients to receive the best possible treatment and I am pleased therefore that my constituents will be some of those across the country to benefit from this cutting-edge technology and faster, safer treatment.

“Our Labour government inherited an NHS on its knees but is not only lifting it up but building it fit for the future.”

Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting said:

“There is a revolution taking place in medical technology which can transform treatment for cancer patients. But NHS hospitals are forced to use outdated, malfunctioning equipment thanks to 14 years of underinvestment under the previous government.

“Thanks to the investment this government is making in our NHS, we will provide more cancer patients with world-class, cutting-edge care.

“By reducing the number of hospital visits required and preventing cancelled appointments, these state of the art radiotherapy machines free up capacity so that thousands more patients are treated on time.

“As a cancer survivor, I know just how important timely treatment is. These machines are part of the investment and modernisation that will cut waiting times for patients, through our Plan for Change.”