Queen’s is the first hospital in the UK to receive the Varian HyperSight imaging system upgrade to our Ethos radiotherapy machine – which can take detailed images in just six seconds, compared to 43 seconds using the previous equipment.

The system uses a cone beam CT (CBCT) with a new imager and detector panel, producing higher-quality images. Other benefits for our patients include lower doses of radiation, and shorter time needed to take images.

Siobhan Graham, Head of Radiotherapy, said: “We’re really excited to have this new upgrade and how it will improve the experience for our patients. Being able to take an image much more quickly will reduce the time they need to spend in the machine, which can be quite intimidating for some, and it results in a better picture as there is less movement.

“Because we get better images, we can make decisions faster and more accurately.”

While radiotherapy machines don’t usually produce images as good as CT scanners, this new system helps our machine come close. It can also make images clearer where patients have metal in their bodies, such as hip replacements, thanks to its metal artifact reduction algorithm.

The upgrade is another example of our Trust being at the forefront of transforming cancer treatment, delivering more patient-centred treatment to our patients. It was implemented thanks to capital from the North East London Cancer Alliance, and is another example of our strong partnership with Varian, which manufactures radiotherapy and imaging systems. This partnership has led to our Trust being the first in the country to introduce other machines and software to benefit our patients, such as the Halcyon radiotherapy machine and the Noona app.