THE Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust (RCHT) is celebrating the replacement of two new Linear Accelerators in Truro’s Sunrise Centre.

Following a £2.61 million award from NHS England’s national radiotherapy equipment replacement fund, a Linear Accelerator (LINAC) was opened to patients in the new Mullion Suite (LA6) on Monday [March 30], a year ahead of schedule.

It joins the LINAC opened in the Crantock Suite (LA5) in September 2025. This LINAC is also fitted with Hypersight software, generously funded by the Sunrise Appeal to the tune of £400,000, to enable world-leading precision imagery so treatment can be delivered swiftly and with pinpoint accuracy.

LINACs are used in the treatment of cancers, delivering high-energy, high-precision radiation therapy. Together, the commissioning of these two medical devices in the last 16 months will ensure the continued outstanding and timely care of cancer patients across Cornwall.

Savvas Rizkalla, RCHT head of radiotherapy physics, said: “LINACs are very clever and versatile medical devices. Having two state-of-the-art LINACs is a real game-changer in helping us to reduce cancer waiting times in Cornwall and provide continued outstanding care to our patients.”

Sunrise Appeal trustee Janet Shephard thanked donors, volunteers and fundraisers, saying: “Without them, this kind of cutting-edge cancer treatment simply wouldn't be possible.”

The RCHT charity funded murals and skylights to give the treatment space a more welcoming feel. “We fund the extras that the NHS budget doesn’t stretch to - the things that lift spirits, enhance care and make a real difference to patients, families and staff,” said RCHT charity director Anna Cairns. “The murals and skylights create a calmer environment that reduces patient anxiety, improves comfort during treatment, and supports a more positive overall experience for both patients and staff.”

Opened in 2002, the Sunrise Centre is Cornwall’s only radiotherapy centre, seeing 2,000 new patients and delivering 1,800 courses of radiotherapy annually.