Former Wimbledon champ Pat Cash visited Queen’s Hospital this week to open its new state-of-the-art radiotherapy specific CT scanner.

As well as cutting the ribbon on the new scanner, Pat also met the first person to benefit from it, prostate cancer patient Mike Dewison, 69.

Pat said: “I’m a patron of the male cancer charity Orchid, which has provided equipment for the trust’s Radiotherapy department, so I was aware of the wonderful work the team do.

“When they asked me to come and officially open the new CT scanner, I was more than happy to support them because I applaud this investment in new technology which will ensure cancer patients get the best treatment available.”

Mike, of Upminster, added: “I’m nearing the end of my treatment now. It was nice to be the first to be scanned by this new scanner and be invited along today. The Radiotherapy staff have been fantastic and it’s great to for them to get new equipment.”

Worth around half a million pounds, the scanner is the first stage of a refresh of the Radiotherapy department, which treats cancer patients across Barking, Havering and Redbridge.

It will be quicker and more efficient than the previous scanner, and will help staff at the hospital, run by Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, ensure radiotherapy treatment is delivered exactly where it is needed.

Designed specifically for radiotherapy, the scanner has a larger central space than traditional CT scanners, this allows patients to be scanned in the same position in which they’ll receive their treatment. This means radiotherapy can be delivered in exactly the right place, preventing unnecessary damage to healthy cells.

Pictured are Mike Dewison (left) and Pat Cash with the scanner.