The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital has taken delivery of the first of six new machines, which will help to provide state-of-the-art radiotherapy services to patients.

The NNUH radiotherapy department treats around 2,700 patients per year for a wide range of cancers. In order to treat this number of patients, the department makes in excess of 40,000 radiotherapy appointments each year.

The delivery of the new linear accelerator machine, which will be fully operational by March, marks the start of a new managed services contract which will provide modern radiotherapy to the trust over the next 10 years.

The contract, with Medipass Healthcare, also includes the provision of two CT scanners, software, hardware and maintenance for all the equipment over the duration of the term, so as advances in radiotherapy technology are made, patients at NNUH will have access to the latest and most effective treatments.

Each of the existing treatment rooms will be refurbished as the new machines are installed to create a comfortable and calm environment for patients having their treatment.

As part of a rolling programme, two more machines will be installed at the hospital in 2018.

Mark Gilham, head of radiotherapy at NNUH, said: 'We're delighted to have secured these new radiotherapy facilities which will mean that we are able to increase the number of our patients to whom we can offer advanced radiotherapy techniques.'

Staff at the hospital will also benefit from access to the latest technologies and training in advanced techniques.

Mark Davies, NNUH chief executive, said: 'This new contract, developed, procured and delivered by our team over many months, will absolutely secure advanced radiotherapy treatments for the patients of Norfolk over the next 10 years. We look forward to working in close partnership with Medipass and the machine manufacturer Varian to realise the benefits of this ground-breaking project.'

The radiotherapy and wider nursing team in oncology is currently expanding at NNUH. A range of roles are available for qualified radiographers and registered nurses to join the team.