Varian Medical Systems Selected As Primary Radiotherapy Equipment Supplier in Wave 7 of UK Cancer Plan | Varian

{ "pageType": "news-article", "title": "Varian Medical Systems Selected As Primary Radiotherapy Equipment Supplier in Wave 7 of UK Cancer Plan", "articleDate": "November 08, 2004", "introText": "", "category": "Oncology" }

Varian Medical Systems Selected As Primary Radiotherapy Equipment Supplier in Wave 7 of UK Cancer Plan

PALO ALTO, CA -- November 8, 2004 -- Varian Medical Systems, Inc.(NYSE: VAR), the UK and world leader in integrated radiation therapy solutions, will be supplying seven new linear accelerators to four UK radiotherapy centers in the newest wave of the Department of Health's Cancer Plan investment.

The UK government has announced that four of the five hospitals in Wave 7 of the Cancer Plan have opted for Varian equipment -- they are Royal Shrewsbury, Royal Devon & Exeter, Weston Park Hospital in Sheffield and Kent Oncology Centre in Maidstone. The largest project is at Maidstone, where three Varian Clinac® linear accelerators -- the treatment machines that deliver the radiotherapy -- will be installed. Royal Devon Exeter will see two new Clinac machines, and one will be installed at both Royal Shrewsbury and at Weston Park. Georgina Baker, head of radiotherapy physics at Kent Oncology Centre, says the new linear accelerators at Maidstone will be an ideal addition to existing Varian accelerators at the Kent Canterbury Hospital, the other site that makes up the Cancer Centre.

"Our goal is to reduce our waiting times and benefit the people of Kent," she says. "For that we need compatibility of equipment across both sites, rapid commissioning and proven reliability, and these are all reasons why we selected Varian machines."

She said that while reducing waiting lists is the top priority, the new equipment would also allow clinicians at both centers to bring forward plans to begin treating with leading treatment techniques using Varian technology for respiratory gating and IMRT (intensity modulated radiation therapy). The new equipment will be installed over the next 18 months and will significantly improve the access of UK patients to the most effective radiotherapy treatments available in the world today.

"Varian is the leading supplier of integrated radiotherapy solutions in the UK and the Wave 7 decision reinforces that position," says Walter Frei, Varian's VP Sales Marketing Operations Europe. "Varian is fulfilling its commitment to providing centers with the most advanced, cost-effective and reliable products available for treating cancer patients."