A new £17m radiotherapy centre has officially opened at Milton Keynes University Hospital, providing advanced cancer treatment locally for the first time and reducing the need for patients to travel to Oxford for care.
OUH Radiotherapy @ Milton Keynes is operated by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) in partnership with the Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (MKUH) Cancer Centre.
The facility represents a significant expansion of OUH’s radiotherapy services and is expected to avoid an estimated 6,500 patient round trips annually.
The project was delivered with the support of medical technology provider Ergéa UK, which supplied and installed specialist radiotherapy equipment, including a TrueBeam Linear Accelerator and an Identify surface-guided radiotherapy (SGRT) system.
A new £17m radiotherapy centre has officially opened at Milton Keynes University Hospital
Ergéa UK is the Managed Equipment Service provider in the UK and part of the Ergéa Group, a pan-European independent cancer care and diagnostic imaging services network.
This equipment uses 3D imaging to accurately position and monitor patients during treatment, improving precision and eliminating the need for permanent skin markings in most cases. It is the first Linear Accelerator of its type to be installed in the Milton Keynes area.
As part of its Managed Service partnership with OUH, Ergéa UK has also provided a CT-Simulator to support integrated cancer care at the new centre.
The company partners with NHS Trusts nationwide to deliver advanced medical technology and services.
This equipment uses 3D imaging to accurately position and monitor patients during treatment
David Rolfe, CEO of Ergéa UK, said: "This facility will bring life-saving treatment closer to home for thousands of patients who previously faced long journeys to receive care."
"This project is a powerful example of what can be achieved through trust, innovation, and a shared commitment to improving patient outcomes. We are honoured to collaborate with both OUH and MKUH, and we look forward to building on this momentum to help close care gaps and expand access to advanced treatment technologies across the NHS."
The official opening, which took place in July 2025, was attended by clinicians, NHS leaders, and representatives from project partners, including Milton Keynes City Council, Morgan Sindall Construction, Milton Keynes Hospital Charity, NHS England, and Ergéa UK.
The facility was constructed by Morgan Sindall Construction as part of a £17m programme funded jointly by MKUH, supported by a grant from Milton Keynes City Council, and by OUH with financial backing from NHS England.
The company partners with NHS Trusts nationwide to deliver advanced medical technology and services
The opening ceremony was marked by two of the more than 200 patients already treated at the centre since it began welcoming patients in January 2025.
Simon Crowther, Acting Chief Executive Officer at OUH, said: "This state-of-the-art centre is very important for local patients and their families. It has already provided specialist, high-quality, cutting-edge radiotherapy treatment to more than 200 people closer to their homes, enhancing their experience and reducing their travel time and anxiety."
Joe Harrison, Chief Executive Officer at MKUH, added: "The opening of the OUH Radiotherapy Centre at Milton Keynes University Hospital marks a truly transformative moment for cancer care in the city.
“Co-locating this new service alongside our Cancer Centre enables MKUH and OUH teams to deliver more convenient and accessible cancer care for the people of Milton Keynes. I am grateful to everyone involved who had the vision and determination to do things differently – and better – for our patients."
The new facility builds on an existing collaboration between the two Trusts, which also includes the delivery of renal and cardiology services in Milton Keynes.
The development is intended to improve access to specialist care for the local population and support the wider strategic aim of expanding advanced NHS cancer services regionally.
Top image: The Ergéa team celebrated the opening of the Radiotherapy Centre