Manifesto for Radiotherapy – Driving towards a modern, world-class radiotherapy service
Technology is moving fast. The way we target and deliver radiotherapy treatment to tumours is changing, positively impacting the patient experience and overall outcomes. These advancements in delivery have increased cure rates with fewer side effects and enabled shorter treatment courses effectively delivered over just a few days. New software and hardware tools for planning, monitoring motion, adapting and delivering patient treatment continue to raise the bar in what can be achieved. Radiotherapy, as a primary treatment or when combined with surgery, chemotherapy or immunotherapy, has the potential to improve cancer outcomes.
The UK currently lags behind the European average in survival for nine out of the ten most common cancers. The importance of radiotherapy has been sharply evidenced during the COVID-19 crisis, where its focused, targeted non-invasive, outpatient-based approach offered patients greater treatment choice. Radiotherapy provides an alternative to other methods of treatment, minimising the risk of infection posed by surgery, whilst maintaining the body’s immune system and avoiding the potential side effects of chemotherapy.
As a trade body, AXREM members see the challenges radiotherapy departments face daily, from capacity, staffing and funding issues and how this impacts patient care and outcomes. The AXREM manifesto is focused on addressing these and will have a positive impact on the radiotherapy community.
AXREM are asking for a radiotherapy strategy, increased funding in radiotherapy and improved access to radiotherapy treatment.
Tim Farron MP and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Radiotherapy said “Radiotherapy is already established as the most cost-effective, least invasive cancer treatment available. The radiotherapy industry will be responsible for taking this technology further and faster - saving the NHS vital cancer funding, making treatment more patient-friendly, and improving the UK’s shocking cancer survival rates. I endorse the AXREM manifesto for radiotherapy so that these aims are made a reality”.
Sally Edgington, AXREM Chief Executive Officer said “I am pleased we have been able to update the manifesto and again help raise awareness and visibility of the issues surrounding access to radiotherapy treatment, the age profile of the equipment available to patients and the need for some significant investment to ensure all cancer patients have access to the treatment they need”.
AXREM is the UK trade association representing the interests of suppliers of diagnostic medical imaging, radiotherapy, healthcare IT and care equipment including patient monitoring in the UK. The group is comprised of most of the industry supply companies. AXREM members supply the majority of diagnostic medical imaging and radiotherapy equipment installed in UK hospitals. In doing so, member companies and their employees work side by side with Radiologists, Radiographers and Practitioners, Oncologists and a wide range of healthcare professionals in delivering healthcare to patients using our technologies.