Improving access to radiotherapy for regional cancer patients-the National Radiotherapy Single Machine Unit Trial

Abstract

The National Radiotherapy Single Machine Unit Trial was a joint Australian and Victorian Government initiative to establish single machine radiotherapy service in regional areas. The trial arose in response to the need for decentralised radiotherapy services to improve access to treatment for rural patients. Key aims of the trial included assessing if single machine radiotherapy services could successfully be established and operated in regional areas, what impact they would have on patient access and radiotherapy utilisation and whether they could provide radiotherapy of equivalent safety and reliability to metropolitan services. An evaluation of the Single Machine Unit Trial was undertaken by the Victorian Department of Human Services to assess how well the trial aims were met. The Single Machine Unit Trial successfully demonstrated that single machine radiotherapy departments lead to more appropriate radiotherapy utilisation rates for rural cancer services, while providing quality of care comparable to larger metropolitan centres.