THE region is to get three new £1m radiotherapy machines to improve treatment for cancer patients.
The investment is part of a £70m national package for new cancer care equipment announced by Health Secretary Alan Milburn today.
The new linear accelerators, which precisely direct high-energy radiation beams to destroy cancer tumours, will be installed at Newcastle General Hospital, strenthening the hospital's position as a national centre of excellence in the treatment of cancers.
The new machines, which replace older models, are more reliable and more effective in treating tumours.
Mr Milburn said: "These vital new machines, which the NHS can buy because of the record and sustained investment now going in, will help us to close the gap in survival rates on the US and best European countries. They will also help tackle the regional differences in cancer care."
Today's investment in 20 replacement and 25 additional linear accelerators means that by 2004 the NHS will have reached the target of 205 machines set by the Royal Society of Radiologists, said Mr Milburn.
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