UHBW receives funding to see more cancer patients and cut waiting times

Minister Smyth and UHBW Therapeutic Radiographer Miranda discussing how LINACs operate

Cancer patients in Bristol and South West will see faster treatment thanks to government funding for new radiotherapy machines.

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) has been awarded Government funding for a new cutting-edge radiotherapy machine.

The new Linear Accelerator (LINAC) will help increase the number of appointments for cancer patients in Bristol and the South West.

LINACs are used by therapeutic radiographers in cancer treatment and work by firing very precise high energy radiation at a patient’s tumour, to damage cancer cells. This process prevents tumours growing and eventually eliminates them.

Funding for a new LINAC at UHBW is part of the Government commitment to invest £70million in LINACs at 28 NHS Trusts to help see 4,500 patients faster and cut waiting times nationally.

Karin Smyth, Minister of State for Health (Secondary Care) and Bristol South MP announced the national funding for LINACs at Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre (BHOC), a specialist tertiary cancer centre for the South West at UHBW’s Bristol Campus on Monday 26 May 2025.

Her visit included a tour of the latest LINAC machine at UHBW, which began treatment at BHOC on Tuesday 27 May 2025.

Karin Smyth, Minister of State for Health said:

“As a cancer patient at Bristol hospitals I have seen first-hand the dedication of staff and the importance of good equipment and technology. I was delighted to return on Monday as a Health Minister to hear about how our £70 million investment in new LINAC scanners will help transform outcomes for cancer treatment.

“The LINAC machines are transformative technology. By better targeting tumours, these machines which will help reduce the number of radiotherapy appointments patients need. Not only does it make treatment less disruptive to patients, it critically frees up clinicians time so they can treat more patients sooner and faster.

“It is this type of investment that is cornerstone of our Plan for Change, which will get the NHS fitting fit and working once again.

“I am deeply grateful to the trust for hosting us. Its testament to our healthcare workers, who go above and beyond every day – even on bank holidays – to keep our NHS up and running, and working for patients.”

In total, UHBW has 5 LINACs. On average, each machine will deliver approximately 5000 treatments each year. With the latest machine beginning treatment on Tuesday 27 May, UHBW LINACs will offer treatment to around 2800 patients annually.

At UHBW, LINACs are used primarily for breast and prostate cancer. They are also used for gynaecology, bowel, skin, brain cancer and some lymphoma too.

The additional funding will enable UHBW to replace one of the existing LINAC machines reaching the end of their lifespan. Due to the improved precision LINACs improve patient experience because cancer patients need to come in for fewer treatments meaning there are more appointments available to other patients needing radiotherapy.

Dr. Rebecca Maxwell, Chief Medical Officer at UHBW, said:

“As a regional cancer centre, we are delighted by this excellent news for us and for our patients in Bristol and the wider South West. It supports us in the further development of our services, as we continue to offer the latest pioneering treatments to the people we care for.

“The new LINACs will help our therapeutic radiographers and cancer teams to see more patients, see them less times to enable them to live happier and healthier lives.

“It was a privilege to welcome Minister Karin Smyth to our hospital to meet with our brilliant radiotherapy team and see how we are utilising the latest LINAC technology to treat cancer patients and make a difference to the lives we touch.”

The new funding will be put towards a LINAC machine that will become operational in early 2026.

UHBW Specialised Services Divisional Director Owen Ainsley, Minister for Health Karin Smyth and Specialised Services Clinical Chair Rachel Protheroe