S.U.R.E

Somerset Unit for Radiotherapy Equipment

S.U.R.E. came into being some eight years ago with the specific aim of ending the need for local Cancer patients, requiring radiotherapy treatment, having to travel to Bristol to obtain their treatment or planning for their treatment. The journey to Bristol is a round trip of 100 miles and for many patients considerably more. Registered Charity status was sought and obtained from the Charity Commissioners [Reg. No. 1102299]. A team, who have all been victims of Cancer or have been affected indirectly by the illness of a close friend or relative, now organises the day-to-day operations of S.U.R.E. They give of their time freely and S.U.R.E is justifiably proud that of every pound donated in excess of 99.5p goes into the fund.

Regular meetings are held with the local Health Authority and originally it was agreed that S.U.R.E. could best serve the interests of Cancer patients, and achieve it’s objective of ending the need to travel to Bristol, by funding the provision of a C.T. Scanner / Simulator for the new Oncology Centre that is being built at Musgrove Park.

This is a device that takes a picture of the size and shape of a tumour and allows the Radiologist to direct the radiotherapy beam to where it will achieve the maximum benefit for the patient without damaging adjacent healthy tissue. S.U.R.E. has decided that it is opportune to take advantage of the latest developments in technology and will, consequently, fund a machine that affords the latest facilities. There is a new model C.T. Scanner, known as a Volumetric Spiral scanner that is now available. It is far superior to present scanners and S.U.R.E. has committed itself to the provision of such a machine and the costs of operating the machine for the first three years.

The diameter of the tunnel has been increased so that larger patients can be accommodated and also it will be possible for patients to adopt a new position within the tunnel if the Radiologist needs to look at the tumour from another angle. This is especially useful in the treatment of breast cancer when the patient often has to raise the arms which is something that is not easily done in the standard tunnel. The new machine which scans in one continuous spiral and can complete a full body scan in less than a quarter of the time needed by the scanners in current use.

In addition to this S.U.R.E. has committed itself to fund a facility known as a “Mould Room”. This is for making screening masks for patients with facial or throat cancers where the patient has to be held completely still, whilst undergoing radio therapy, to avoid damage to other vulnerable parts of the head or throat areas such as vocal chords. This is a service that is at also at present carried out in Bristol but will in future be done locally.

S.U.R.E. has also agreed quite recently that it would also fund extra pieces of equipment that can be added to Scanner and Radiotherapy Machines that will further enhance both patient safety and quality of treatment. These pieces of equipment are less costly and much easier to install now whilst the new equipment is being commissioned.

To do all that we have committed ourselves means that we are now seeking to raise in excess of £1,000,000. There is still much to be done but, with the support there is in the community, S.U.R.E will be able help Musgrove Park Hospital provide world class Cancer care and end the need for patients travelling to obtain treatment