Cancer patients in Canvey Island, Essex, can now access faster and more precise treatment following the go‑live of a new radiotherapy machine at Southend University Hospital on 3 February 2026. The next‑generation equipment is expected to reduce the time patients spend in hospital for radiotherapy and increase daily capacity.
Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust installed the machine as part of an £8.7 million multi‑year expansion of the Essex Cancer Centre. The unit includes Surface Guided Radiotherapy Treatment (SGRT) and a next‑generation linear accelerator (LINAC) that uses high‑energy X‑rays to target tumours with sub‑millimetre accuracy, helping to protect healthy tissue and speed up sessions.
The Trust says the upgrade will help patients who previously faced complex travel arrangements for daily treatment from places such as Canvey Island. A Trust spokesperson said the new equipment can halve session times — from around 20 minutes to about 10 minutes — making daily trips markedly easier for people who must travel for radiotherapy.
The project was funded by a combination of government investment and community fundraising, with nearly £1 million raised through the Spotlight Radiotherapy Appeal run by the hospital’s charity (the appeal has reported roughly £920,000 raised to date). The milestone comes as the Trust works to reduce cancer waiting times after being the subject of regulatory scrutiny; the Care Quality Commission published inspection findings relating to the Trust in November 2025.
The opening completes the final stage of the radiotherapy expansion that included a £5.3 million purpose‑built extension to house the new LINAC. Local reporting in the Southend Echo noted the machine has been officially opened and was already treating patients, and the Trust says the unit is now fully operational and ready to serve the local community.
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