A rolling replacement program for the linear accelerators has been underway at Radiation Oncology Princess Alexandra’s Raymond Terrace (ROPART) since early 2025.
All four of the machines at ROPART will have the state-of-the-art TrueBeam radiotherapy system by September with the service delivering world-leading cancer treatment to hundreds of patients including Queensland’s smallest humans.
Radiation Therapy Director at ROPART, Bronwyn Hilder said the first patient was treated on the newest machine on 7 April as the program simultaneously moved on to replace the next linear accelerator in the fleet.
“ROPART normally runs four linear accelerators with double shifts on two and single shifts on two,” Bronwyn said. “What we have done while replacing the machines is run double shifts on all the machines to maintain the same level of service for our patients.
“We lost only two hours of total treatment time in the process of rolling out the first replacement which is a really good indication of our ability to manage the project concurrently with our clinical service.”
The precision and accuracy offered by the TrueBeam technology allows for better treatment of more complex and challenging cases, such as lung or liver tumours that move with each breath of the patient.
The technology is also much faster alongside an operating system update which has streamlined care delivery behind the scenes.
“It probably saves a minute per patient which does add up to efficiency for the service; but the value to the patient not lying there waiting for the beam to start is a win for patient comfort.”
Transitioning to the same technology and equipment across the departments at ROPART and ROPAIR is a key benefit which ensures flexibility in how the service manages quality assurance, will allow for sharing of patients across both sites, and maintain treatment levels while machines across the fleet are undergoing maintenance.
A long overdue refurbishment alongside the replacement program has been key to influencing the environmental design with calm. Gone are the deep coloured walls replaced with a clean white aesthetic including a mural on the wall and glossy printed ceiling panels that patients can focus on while they are lying down having their treatment.
“These changes are about making the treatment rooms a much nicer environment to be in,” Bronwyn said.
Positioned between the Children’s and the Mater, ROPART is an external part of the overall PA Hospital service but it location makes it perfect for paediatric Radiation Oncology.
“As the paediatrics service for the state and northern New South Wales, ROPART has a number of features that are specifically for our littlest patients.
“There’s a playroom, a dedicated paediatric recovery bay for their general anaesthetics and our Party Kids program which brings the vibe depending on the season.”
Well done to the project coordination team and everyone across the ROPART Service for managing the construction program alongside their very busy clinical delivery.