A new radiotherapy centre in Milton Keynes has opened its doors to cancer patients this week, enabling local treatment for those who need it.
Run by a multidisciplinary team, the project was jointly funded by Milton Keynes University Hospital and Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, with additional financial support from Milton Keynes Council and NHS England.
Previously, patients in Milton Keynes and the surrounding area would need to travel much further afield, to Oxford or beyond, to receive radiotherapy treatment.
Better, closer care
Starting this week (27 January), patients in Milton Keynes and the surrounding area will be able to visit the Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) Radiotherapy Centre in order to receive radiotherapy treatment.
The centre is linked to the Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH) Cancer Centre which opened in 2020, and comes as part of the partnership between the two trusts.
Already, OUH delivers renal services and some cardiology in Milton Keynes, with the partnership allowing local population better and closer access to specialist care.
'Easing the burden on patients'
Professor Meghana Pandit, CEO at Oxford University Hospitals said: “It has been our ambition to bring specialist care such as radiotherapy treatment closer to patients’ homes and I am absolutely delighted that the 'Oxford University Hospitals Radiotherapy Centre @ Milton Keynes' is today treating patients in Milton Keynes. This follows many years of planning and hard work of many individuals and teams to get to this point.
“We know that this new facility is really very important for local patients and their families. The reduction in travel time means less stress and anxiety and more time to do other things. This brings quality care closer to home for our patients, which reflects our trust values of compassion, delivery and excellence.”
Joe Harrison, CEO at MKUH, said: “We are delighted to see the Radiotherapy Centre open to its first patients here in Milton Keynes. This new facility, which complements our existing Cancer Care service, represents a significant step forward in providing our community with access to a wide range of essential, high-quality cancer treatments right here at home.
“By reducing the need for long-distance travel, we are not only easing the burden on patients and their families but also ensuring they receive timely and compassionate care. This collaboration with OUH underscores our broader commitment to enhancing healthcare services and improving patient outcomes in Milton Keynes.”
(Image: Milton Keynes OUH Radiotherapy Centre, via OUH)