Oxford Cancer Centre - Open Day

On Saturday, I went along to the Open Day at the new Oxford Cancer Centre at the Churchill Hospital. It was a very interesting day and we were able to visit the complex of operating theatres where the highlight was the laparascopic - or keyhole - surgery suite and the daVinci robotic surgery system (left photo). We were even allowed to test our own skills at keyhole surgery... although I hasten to add on non-animate objects!

Also on the tour, was the radiotherapy department where we saw a CT scanner as well as the linear accelerators used for treatment. There are six of these electron accelerators, which generate high energy X-rays, in their own separate rooms(right photo). They can swivel through 180 degrees to direct beams from different angles. Of course, all of this high-tech equipment and advances in treatment has to come at a price - worth remembering when politicians talk about NHS funding. The Oxford Biomedical Research Centre was also open... although we ran out of time.

It was certainly good for local people to be able to make this "behind-the-scenes" visit of these major new facilities for our region. The staff and volunteers had clearly gone to a lot of trouble to welcome everyone and make the day informative and demystify the difficult area of cancer treatment. More information can be found here and here.