NEW Independent Oncology Service Opens First Gamma Knife in Leeds, England
Leeds, United Kingdom, 10 June 2009 (Press release)
Healthcare Technologies International (HTI) and the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust have partnered to open an independent cancer care service, bringing a Leksell Gamma Knife® Perfexion™ from Elekta to Leeds, England.
For the very first time in Leeds, patients suffering from a range of brain conditions can now benefit from the latest technology – a Leksell Gamma Knife® Perfexion™ from Elekta – and an expert specialist clinical team – on their doorstep. The new private service will complement existing NHS facilities and will be a co-operative project between HTI, a leading specialist in advanced cancer treatment and diagnostic services, and the Leeds Teaching Hospitals, one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK.
The new independent service is housed in the recently opened £220m Bexley Wing at St. James’s University Hospital. As well as providing additional income for the NHS Trust, the new independent service will provide access to new technologies which can also benefit NHS patients.
These will include techniques such as stereotactic radiosurgery - a new high-tech way of treating brain disorders using the advanced Leksell Gamma Knife® Perfexion™ from Elekta. This equipment was previously unavailable in the area, and NHS patients will also be able to be referred to it for treatment. In addition to offering the latest technologies, patients of the new independent service will also have access to the site specific expertise and ancillary services within the Trust.
The new service, known as Nova Healthcare, opened in March 2009 and has already treated a number of patients with both radiotherapy and with the landmark stereotactic radiosurgery programme offered. A key element of the service is its integrative approach to the management of cancer care.
Nova’s skilled and highly-experienced team aims to carry out the treatment with minimal waits. Patients may be eligible for gamma knife treatment even in they have had open brain surgery previously, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or in the case of AVMs, embolisation procedures.
Mr John Langford, a 65-year-old retired insurance broker, made local medical history by becoming the first patient to have the procedure in Leeds. Less than 24 hours after being treated for a brain tumour, he was back at his local gym and golf course in Leeds - picking up a winning bet from friends.
Nova Healthcare Chief Executive, Kerry Jackson, said: “Our Leksell Gamma Knife® Perfexion™ from Elekta is the most advanced available in the world and we are delighted that we are working alongside the NHS to propel West Yorkshire into this new era of technology. It is a major step forward for patient care.”
John Langford’s actual procedure took just 30 minutes. He laid on the Leksell Gamma Knife® while Leeds neurosurgeon Stuart Ross – who travelled to Stockholm and Marseilles to receive expert training in the procedure – worked with radiographers in an adjoining room, speaking to him throughout.John said after the procedure: “It was a fantastic experience and I feel absolutely fine. To be the first patient to be treated by Leksell Gamma Knife® Perfexion™ technology in West Yorkshire was exciting, and I wish future patients every success – they have nothing to fear and much to gain from it.
“I had a bet before going into hospital that I would be back at my gym the day afterwards as nobody believed I would be fit and well enough to do so. But I was – and it was great to go there and pick up my winnings! I also managed to squeeze in a few holes of golf as well.”
Dr. Hugo Mascie-Taylor, Medical Director of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said, “This partnership is an opportunity to bring new technologies to the region at a faster pace than would otherwise be possible. The St. James’s Institute of Oncology has already treated thousands of patients in its state-of-the-art facilities, and this new service will offer a wider choice of care for more of our patients.” He added:”With 1,600 staff and 350 inpatient beds our facility is one of the largest specialist cancer treatment centres in Europe. The addition of a new independent service has always been part of our plans and will add an extra dimension to what is already an excellent facility.”
HTI is currently the Managed Equipment Services partner within the St. James’s Institute of Oncology, providing advanced technologies to the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust under a 15-year PFI contract. HTI has 30+ years of international experience, having developed over 200 cancer treatment and diagnostic centres worldwide. [END]
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