New radiotherapy centre officially opened

A new £17m radiotherapy centre in Milton Keynes has officially opened, saving local cancer patients a 70-mile round trip to Oxford to receive treatment.

The facility is run by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) and linked to Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Trust (MKUH) Cancer Centre.

It began treating patients in January, and the ribbon was cut by two of the more than 200 patients who have been treated so far.

Radiotherapy patient Martin Flynn, who had 37 sessions for prostate cancer, said: "The new centre is amazing, and it meant I could have my treatment and go home with less stress."

The majority of patients from Milton Keynes and the surrounding area who needed radiotherapy had previously needed to travel to Oxford and other places for their treatment.

Although some patients will still need to travel to Oxford for radiotherapy, the new centre - called OUH Radiotherapy @ Milton Keynes - is expected to save 6,500 trips there each year.

Its operational manager, Donna Hughes, said: "The team here is incredibly proud to have been part of realising this longstanding vision... ensuring many more patients can receive vital radiotherapy treatment closer to home."

The centre offers equipment including a linear accelerator and CT scanner, with space for future expansion.

Jen McAuliffe was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2024 and previously had to travel to Oxford for her consultation and first treatment.

"Being able to complete the treatment in Milton Keynes made a huge difference to me and my family," she said.

"I have young children and was worried about how we would manage with the travel to and from Oxford each day."

She has since completed chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy.

The centre, built by Morgan Sindall, was jointly funded by MKUH, Milton Keynes City Council and OUH with NHS England support.

Milton Keynes council leader Pete Marland said it was critical to "have the right services and infrastructure available to residents".

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