Shropshire is to become the 18th location nationwide to have new radiotherapy treatment technology.

The new technology, Surface Guided Radiotherapy (SGRT), removes the need for cancer patients to receive permanent tattoos used to guide their radiotherapy treatment.

The SGRT equipment has been installed in the Radiotherapy department of the Lingen Davies Cancer Centre at The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, which treats up to 12,000 patients per year.

The cutting-edge technology also reduces waiting times for patients, delivering more efficient services and allowing an increase in capacity.

Border Counties Advertizer: Telford Plaza Ltd Directors with staff and trustees from Lingen Davies Cancer Fund

The hospital was able to install the SGRT thanks to a donation of £416,666 by the Directors of Telford Plaza Ltd to the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund.

Naomi Atkin, CEO of Lingen Davies, said: "Thanks to the generosity of Telford Plaza Ltd, many people having to undergo radiotherapy here in Shropshire will have a dramatically different experience as they will not be left with permanent physical tattoos and should have a smoother experience of treatment."

Ms Atkin added: "SGRT is only in use in 17 of the 65 cancer treatment centres throughout the UK, so it is clear how specialist this is.

"It is going to transform the experiences of those getting radiotherapy treatment here and will make a real difference to those impacted by cancer in our community.

"We are delighted to become the 18th location to offer this relatively new technology as it has wide-ranging benefits for cancer patients including removing the need for permanent tattoos, which can be a tremendously negative reminder for those who have had cancer treatment, and it will enhance the patient experience overall."

The CEO also highlighted that while the NHS does not currently fund SGRT, the technology offers a range of benefits, including improvements to mental health, wellbeing, and quality of life for patients.

In addition to its installation on the CT Scanner, the SGRT will initially be implemented on two of the existing three Varian Truebeam Linear Accelerators (Linacs) at the hospital.

Plans for replacing the third Linac are in progress, with the SGRT to be implemented within the next three years.

Sharing his thoughts on the hospital's new acquisition, the managing director of Telford Plaza Ltd said: "We see this as our duty and not necessarily something to be proud of."