PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Radiotherapy: Medical Equipment (12 July 2022)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the number of radiotherapy machines in use that are over the ten-year recommended lifespan; and what his timeframe is for replacing those machines.

Asked by:
Navendu Mishra (Labour)

NHS England and NHS Improvement estimate that as of 31 March 2022, there were approximately 20 linear accelerators (LINACs) aged 10 years or more in routine use in the National Health Service, equating to 7% of the LINAC fleet.

The Spending Review in 2021 allocated £12 billion in operational capital for the NHS over the next three years, which includes provision for the replacement of radiotherapy machines, such as LINACs. Integrated care systems will develop multi-year capital plans to replace radiotherapy equipment, therefore we are unable to confirm a specific timetable. These plans will be developed with specialised commissioners, Cancer Alliances and radiotherapy operational delivery networks, based on an assessment of its age, capacity, demand, opportunities to improve access and risks to the service.

Answered by:
James Morris (Conservative)
15 July 2022