The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre is part of The North West Radiotherapy Specialised Services Clinical Network, which is driving NHS ambitions to provide the most modern and effective radiotherapy treatments to patients in the region. 

Earlier this month, the network had three important papers published in the British Journal of Radiology, highlighting why modernising radiotherapy funding is crucial to give patients access to the very latest treatments and technology.

The papers outlined some vital points:

• Radiotherapy is vital for cancer treatment and is used in around 40% of cancer survival cases —but funding hasn’t kept pace with advances in technology and treatment.
• Financial systems put into place need to reflect current practices, enhance innovation and allow patients access to the latest technology and most personalised treatment. 
• Long-term investment is needed to upgrade essential equipment and ensure patients benefit from the best care.
• Many patients face long-term side effects and require immediate access to specialist support services, which should be made available through sufficient funding.
• With the upcoming National Cancer Plan for England, now is the time to modernise funding and support innovation, equipment upgrades, and better care for all patients.

Carl Rowbottom is Director of Physics at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and one of the co-authors on the paper. Carl said: “Radiotherapy is a highly effective form of cancer treatment which is cost effective to deliver to our patients.

“My co-authors and I have outlined how modernising funding models and providing sustainable investment is key to innovation and providing the very best technology to treat our patients. Having this work published in the BJR will bring attention to the changes that need to be made and help shape the future of radiotherapy in the UK.”

The papers make suggestions for how the systems could be reformed to drive innovation and good practice across the system, how long-term capital funding settlements from the government could enhance services and how a new national model could address the needs of patients who develop side effects from their treatment.

You can read the papers and get more information by clicking on the links below: