GWH receives funding for new cancer screening machines

Thanks to £200 million in government funding Swindon's Great Western Hospital will receive new cancer testing and detection technology.

Swindon's Great Western Hospital is one of 78 hospitals across the UK that will receive funding for new cancer testing and detection technology.

The new machines are set to improve screening and early diagnosis of cancer, and are part of the government’s scheme to ensure 55,000 more people survive cancer each year.

Cally Palmer, National Cancer Director at NHS England, said: "Cancer survival is at a record high thanks to better prevention, earlier diagnosis and world-leading treatments in the NHS.

"This major investment in the best modern scanning technology will benefit patients in every part of England, helping us to achieve the NHS Long Term Plan’s ambitions of catching tens of thousands more cancers earlier when they are easier to treat, saving 55,000 more lives every year."

The funding will update and refurbish CT and MRI scanners – bringing in alternatives with lower radiation levels - and breast screening imaging and assessment equipment.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: "This new state-of-the-art equipment for 78 trusts across England will ensure doctors and clinicians can help even more people survive a cancer diagnosis and stop the disease as early as possible.

"It’s mission critical that the technology our NHS uses to prevent and diagnose cancer is brought into the 21st century. We have backed the roll-out of these new machines with £200 million in funding."

Responding to the news South Swindon MP, Justice Secretary & Lord Chancellor Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP added: "It is fantastic news that the Great Western Hospital will benefit from funding for new cancer testing and detection technology.

"I lobbied Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, hard for this money and it builds upon the additional £30 million the GWH is set to receive to deliver a reconfigured and enlarged Emergency Department and Transitional Care Facility.

"The Conservatives in Swindon and throughout the UK will always stand up for our brilliant NHS and its dedicated workforce."