The total breakdown of one of four cancer treatment machines based at Palmerston North Hospital has prompted the urgent purchase of a new linear accelerator. It has also, temporarily, caused a reshuffle of plans to set up radiation treatment services in Hawke’s Bay and Taranaki. More than 1420 people a year pass through the regional cancer treatment service, with 26 per cent travelling from Hawke’s Bay and 20 per cent from Taranaki. Warwick Smith/Stuff The first new Varian cancer treatment machine was lifted into Palmerston North Hospital in February 2020. The complete replacement of the four linear accelerators was supported by a $25m Government investment in updating New Zealand’s radiation treatment equipment.

Source: Stuff July 13, 2021 02:26 UTC