A key component of the UK’s first high-energy proton beam machine has been delivered to its new home in Newport.
Proton Partners International (PPI) received the part that will fire the cancer-treating beam at its Rutherford Cancer Centre.
PPI said the UK’s “most-advanced piece of cancer machinery” could transform treatment for 500 patients a year.
Currently, only low-energy treatment is available in the UK for rare eye cancers.
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The Welsh Government said proton beam therapy will be available at the centre to NHS Wales patients with certain cancers “within the next year”.
PPI chief executive Mike Moran said it was the “most strategic health project in this country in decades”.
“It’s significant for the people of Wales to have high-energy proton beam therapy available,” he added
He said the treatment would “certainly improve” clinical outcomes and the experience for patients, who up to now have had to spend up to six weeks abroad to get proton beam therapy.
The use of proton therapy was highlighted by the case of five-year-old Ashya King, whose parents took him to the Czech Republic for treatment for a brain tumour three years ago.
After its installation, the machine will be up and running next year.
PPI said treatment at the centre will be available to medically-insured private patients, self-paying patients and patients referred by the NHS.
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