Government to fund innovative radiotherapy centres for UK

The government has confirmed that it will be funding the creation of two new UK medical facilities to support the delivery of a cutting-edge radiotherapy treatment.

Using 250 million pounds of government finance, centres will be created in Manchester and London for the delivery of proton beam therapy, a technique that is capable of targeting tumours more precisely and with less damage to surrounding tissues.

Currently, NHS patients requiring this therapy are sent to the US, but from 2018 it will be offered to up to 1,500 cancer patients at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester and University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in London.

This comes as part of a wider coalition strategy to improve access to advanced radiotherapy treatments and follows up on plans previously outlined by former health secretary Andrew Lansley.

Public health minister Anna Soubry said: "This is a huge milestone for the NHS – not only will proton beam therapy help save more lives, it will also ensure that patients experience fewer side effects and have a better quality of life."