Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many and what proportion of radiotherapy linear accelerator (LINAC) machines will be over their recommended lifespan by the end of (a) 2023, (b) 2024 and (c) 2025.

Since April 2022, the responsibility for investing in new radiotherapy machines sits with local systems. This is supported by the 2021 Spending Review, which set aside £12 billion in operational capital for the NHS (2022-25).

Recent Capital Planning Guidance sets out the expectation that the majority of radiotherapy equipment, particularly linear accelerator (LINAC) machines, will need to be replaced at ten years of age, to make progress on Long Term Plan priorities. The guidance states that Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) need to develop replacement plans as part of their multi-year capital plans, in partnership with specialised commissioners, Cancer Alliances and Radiotherapy Operational Delivery Networks, based on an assessment of equipment age, capacity and demand, opportunities to improve access, and service risk.