Lanarkshire Beatson hailed as 'world class' cancer centre

Lanarkshire's newest cancer centre has been praised as 'world class' for the care and support it provides.
(From left) Treatment planning manager Dianne Kearns,  Paul Kelly and head of therapy radiography Eithne MacPherson(From left) Treatment planning manager Dianne Kearns,  Paul Kelly and head of therapy radiography Eithne MacPherson
(From left) Treatment planning manager Dianne Kearns, Paul Kelly and head of therapy radiography Eithne MacPherson

The Lanarkshire Beatson, which opened last November at a cost of £22 million, provides specialised services for cancer patients across the area.

Councillor Paul Kelly, the depute leader of North Lanarkshire Council, paid the centre a visit to see its work for himself.

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He said: “This outstanding new facility is world class, and is making a significant difference to the lives of so many people in our area; it means that people no longer need to travel to Glasgow to receive their treatment.”

The centre is equipped with two state-of-the art linear accelerators, which deliver high energy radiation to shrink tumours and kill cancer cells.

It also has a CT simulator to help plan radiotherapy treatment.

The centre treats up to 80 people every day who need radiotherapy for conditions such as lung, breast, prostate and rectal cancer.

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Mr Kelly, who is also a member of the NHS Lanarkshire health trust, added: “North Lanarkshire Council is keen to support the Beatson centre in Lanarkshire to raise awareness of the high level of specialist support and care available.

“We are also appealing to individuals and companies in our area to consider supporting the Beatson through fundraising activities.”

To donate to the Beatson or learn more about the work done at the centre, visit www.beatsoncancercharity.org.

The Beatson Cancer Charity, which formed in 2014 following the merger of Friends of the Beatson and the Beatson Oncology Centre Fund, works to raise funds to support and improve the treatment, care and wellbeing of cancer patients and their families.

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Many current and former patients, along with their families, friends and colleagues, are involved in fundraising activities.

The charity also supports people by offering a range of wellbeing, specialist and complimentary therapies delivered by its own staff and volunteers. It operates a Wellbeing Centre serving the West of Scotland and this is provided entirely through fundraising.

Further, the charity assists numerous people and organisations involved in the care and research of cancer, including the NHS. A major aspect of this work is the Radiotherapy Research Project which seeks to test and develop scientific advances in radiotherapy with the assistance of current patients.