NEW state-of-the-art medical equipment is set to bring a fresh wave of hope to cancer patients at two hospitals.

Radiotherapy staff at King George Hospital in Goodmayes and Queen’s Hospital in Romford had their new £500,000 CT scanner delivered this week (July 11) as part of a general overhaul of the department.

The new scanner is quicker and more efficient than existing equipment at the two hospitals managed by Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust (BHRUT).

Head of radiotherapy physics Liz Crees said: “The new scanner is designed for radiotherapy and has a larger central space than a traditional one, so we can scan patients in the same position in which they’ll receive their treatment.

“This allows us to plan exactly how their radiotherapy will be delivered and ensure that we can prevent unnecessary damage to healthy cells.”

Superintendent radiographer Sandra Osborne added: “It’s wonderful to have this new technology to benefit our patients, and ensures we are constantly moving forward and improving the care we provide.”

BHRUT received ‘requires improvement’ in its last inspection by the Care Quality Commission last year.