The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) and Ergéa, a Managed Equipment Services (MES) provider, have celebrated a significant milestone with the opening of UHL’s latest state-of-the-art Halcyon linear accelerator (linac). This development marks a major advancement in UHL’s radiotherapy services, boosting treatment capacity and ensuring patients have access to cutting-edge cancer care.
The ceremony highlighted the dedication and collaboration of both teams, whose shared commitment has driven major improvements in efficiency, quality and accessibility of radiotherapy in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Attendees included Jon Melbourne, Chief Operating Officer, Suzanne Nancarrow, Associate Director of Operations – Cancer and Mark Norton, General Manager Medical Physics from UHL along with members of the clinical teams and those involved with the provision of the bunker.
Ergéa UK has partnered with UHL since 2002. Through this long-term partnership, Ergéa has supported UHL in delivering innovative healthcare by maintaining and upgrading Diagnostic Imaging, Cardiology, and Radiotherapy equipment.
Last year a comprehensive upgrade of UHL’s radiotherapy fleet was undertaken and by July 2024, all linacs at UHL – 4 truebeams – were modernised, ensuring efficient and reliable treatment delivery.
A key factor in the success of this project was the seamless integration of new equipment across the fleet. Both UHL and Ergéa teams worked diligently to ensure compatibility among the linacs, which enabled consistent and reliable treatment replication between machines. This collaboration significantly reduced treatment variation, enhancing the overall treatment environment and improving the patient experience.
The partnership between UHL and Ergéa has resulted in tangible benefits for both the Trust and the wider community:
- 2 Linacs Upgraded in Record Time: Half of the radiotherapy fleet was upgraded to state-of-the-art equipment in an expedited timeline. UHL now has four upgraded TrueBeams.
- Latest state-of-art ‘Halcyon’ Linac: This allowed UHL to position itself as one of only ten UK centres to offer this advanced linear accelerator. It was remarkably installed within just four months and is currently undergoing commissioning, which will meet UHL’s deadlines without any delays.
- 25 per cent Increase in Treatment Capacity: The upgraded and expanded fleet enhances treatment capacity, reducing wait times and increasing patient throughput.
- Enhanced Patient Care: The modern equipment has improved treatment precision, minimised the risk of delays, ensured that patients benefit from the latest advancements in cancer treatment and contributed to better patient outcomes.
- Improved backlogs: The upgrades help to ensure that patients receive timely care.
Jon Melbourne, Chief Operating Officer at University Hospitals of Leicester, said, "We're incredibly proud of the radiotherapy services we provide and the dedication of our teams. We'd also like to express our thanks to Ergéa for their flexibility and support throughout the programme – their partnership has been crucial to the success of this project."
David Rolfe, CEO of Ergéa UK, said, “We are incredibly proud of our long-standing partnership with UHL, having worked closely with them for over 20 years. We are proud to be a trusted partner to UHL for so long, and we remain committed to delivering tailored solutions that benefit both patients and the wider community. Through a Managed Services approach, we provide capital investment, access to state-of-the-art equipment, and lifecycle optimisation, all designed to enhance the patient pathway.”
Suzanne Jordan, Head of Radiotherapy at University Hospitals of Leicester, added: "The new machine gives us the opportunity to increase capacity, reduce waiting times, and ensure that more patients receive timely and effective radiotherapy treatment. This new state-of-the-art machine brings with it new technology to enhance the care we provide to our patients, and it is quicker and quieter. This reflects our commitment to high-quality care for all as the new machines will help to improve patient outcomes and meet the growing demand for high-quality cancer treatment."
John Muolo, Executive Vice president and Director of Strategic Relationships at Ergéa UK concluded: “As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, the UHL and Ergéa Partnership will continue to be impactful in ensuring the highest standard of care to patients while maintaining operational efficiency and sustainability.”
