The Christie NHS FT Annual Report & Accounts 2019-20

Radiotherapy

within the pre-treatment pathways. MRI has been implemented as standard, the benefits of which are being maximised through the synergistic working of both therapy and diagnostic radiographers. That multidisciplinary synergy has underpinned a number of achievements across the directorate over its first year and will prove key moving forward. The service is already seeing significant increases in its adult and TYA workloads, and the first PBT specific clinical trial (TORPEDO) is set to open imminently.

Arc Radiotherapy (VMAT) increase and offered to additional patient groups. The stereotactic radiotherapy programme has expanded during 2018-19. In addition to lung, spine and liver Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR), The Christie now offers SABR for adrenal, lymph nodes and bone disease. There is ongoing work to expand access to this treatment over the coming five years. Magnetic Resonance (MR) linear accelerator There has been a steady increase in patients treated on the MR Linac. Patient number fifteen is underway, with a number of these patients involved in clinical trials for treatment. There have also been a number of education sessions and visitor tours to the MR Linac over the course of the year. The research team have undertaken external presentations at regional universities, with a number of papers being submitted to European professional meetings. Proton Beam Therapy Centre Over the last 12 months the Proton Beam Therapy Service has continued its activity ramp up, having received over 237 referrals and treated over 127 patients. During this time, the service has completed its paediatric ramp-up, and is now over-performing in this regard – treating 70% of national paediatric activity (original target: 50%). Achieving this has relied on the progressive recruitment of a new radiographic workforce, and rising to the challenges that ensure it is confident in the implementation of a brand new treatment modality. Similarly, the highly conformal nature of PBT is being supplemented with a proactive approach to image optimisation

8