Five years since first post-Covid clinic at UCLH
05 June 2025
Publish date: 04 June 2025
UCLH has welcomed a new state-of-the-art radiotherapy machine, the Halcyon linear accelerator, aimed at making cancer treatment faster, more comfortable, and more precise for patients.
Unlike traditional radiotherapy machines, the new Halcyon is quieter and more compact, helping to reduce the anxiety and discomfort often associated with radiotherapy treatment sessions. Its design allows for quicker treatment times, which means that patients spend less time being treated and more patients can be seen. The aim is to treat 30-40 patients each day on the new machine.
The Halcyon uses an advanced imaging system called HyperSight, which takes high-quality pictures in seconds. This helps the clinical team to target cancer more precisely while sparing healthy tissue, making treatments safer and more effective. The UCLH Charity fundraising team has worked with the Kusuma Trust to secure a generous donation, which funded the purchase of the HyperSight technology.
In addition, UCLH has incorporated Vision RT technology, which helps make sure patients are positioned perfectly for each treatment without needing extra scans or adjustments. This means treatments can begin promptly and proceed smoothly.
The UCLH radiotherapy department now has five linear accelerator machines, also known as Linacs, to deliver radiotherapy. The service sees around 2,400 new patients each year and the new Halcyon Linac will help to increase the number of patients treated, reducing waiting times and improving overall performance.
Early patients who have experienced treatment on the Halcyon have praised the comfort and speed of their sessions. One patient shared,
“The treatment was quick, and the room was calm and quiet. I felt reassured knowing they were using the latest technology to focus on my care.”
Nazima Haji, Radiotherapy Services Manager said,
“We are very proud to invest in new technology that not only improves treatment outcomes but also enhances patient experience. The advanced imaging and monitoring capabilities of the new Halcyon Linac also open exciting possibilities for research, ensuring UCLH remains at the forefront of cancer treatment advancements.”
In addition to the new Halcyon linear accelerator, UCLH has also received government funding to replace one of our existing Linac machines. Further information on this announcement is here.
