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| Radiotherapy machines 'lie idle' | Radiotherapy machines 'lie idle' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| State of the art radiotherapy machines are lying idle in NHS hospitals, a BBC investigation has found. | State of the art radiotherapy machines are lying idle in NHS hospitals, a BBC investigation has found. |
| A report by the Royal College of Radiologists, commissioned by Five Live, found 10% of machines in the 60 UK centres were not being used. | A report by the Royal College of Radiologists, commissioned by Five Live, found 10% of machines in the 60 UK centres were not being used. |
| The total cost of the machines is £150m, with some of the funding coming from lottery money. | The total cost of the machines is £150m, with some of the funding coming from lottery money. |
| The college said the survey findings were "no surprise". The government acknowledged there were problems. | The college said the survey findings were "no surprise". The government acknowledged there were problems. |
| The present radiotherapy service is inadequate Michael Williams, Royal College of Radiologists Unnecessary treatment given | The present radiotherapy service is inadequate Michael Williams, Royal College of Radiologists Unnecessary treatment given |
| The survey found Maidstone Hospital had two brand new machines that did not work for a year. | The survey found Maidstone Hospital had two brand new machines that did not work for a year. |
| The manufacturer, Varian, said this was happening across the country, with some hospitals taking 18 months to switch their machines on. | The manufacturer, Varian, said this was happening across the country, with some hospitals taking 18 months to switch their machines on. |
| This delay is vital as the machines only have a 10-year life. | This delay is vital as the machines only have a 10-year life. |
| It also found that over 60% of the machines were not using new software that allows doctors to focus on the tumours and not damage healthy tissue. | It also found that over 60% of the machines were not using new software that allows doctors to focus on the tumours and not damage healthy tissue. |
| Ipswich Hospital uses this new software IMRT on all its head and neck cancer cases. | Ipswich Hospital uses this new software IMRT on all its head and neck cancer cases. |
| 'Better than it was' | 'Better than it was' |
| Dot West, has been treated using IMRT and says it had a dramatic effect. | Dot West, has been treated using IMRT and says it had a dramatic effect. |
| She said: "I feel very lucky to have this treatment and I think it should be more widespread." | She said: "I feel very lucky to have this treatment and I think it should be more widespread." |
| "If I have this treatment there is far less chance of me losing my right eye and also further brain damage." | |
| The findings of the investigation came as no surprise to the Royal College of Radiologists. | The findings of the investigation came as no surprise to the Royal College of Radiologists. |
| The college's vice president Michael Williams said services have improved, but that they still are not up to scratch. | The college's vice president Michael Williams said services have improved, but that they still are not up to scratch. |
| "The present radiotherapy service is inadequate. People are reluctant to admit how bad the situation is because they say it's a lot better than it was," he said. | "The present radiotherapy service is inadequate. People are reluctant to admit how bad the situation is because they say it's a lot better than it was," he said. |
| The Department of Health acknowledges there are problems with radiotherapy waiting times and ministers are currently studying recommendations from the national radiotherapy advisory group on the future development of radiotherapy. | The Department of Health acknowledges there are problems with radiotherapy waiting times and ministers are currently studying recommendations from the national radiotherapy advisory group on the future development of radiotherapy. |
| The Five Live Report: Cancer Care Unplugged will be broadcast on BBC Radio Five Live at 1100 BST on Sunday, 8 April. | The Five Live Report: Cancer Care Unplugged will be broadcast on BBC Radio Five Live at 1100 BST on Sunday, 8 April. |