0 Google + 00
Elekta's Versa HD radiation therapy system is centerpiece in New Zealand cancer therapy center Tauranga

2014-11-19

New Kathleen Kilgour Centre, now treating patients with Versa HD, also acquires Elekta treatment planning, brachytherapy and oncology information systems


New Zealand's new state-of-the-art cancer center, Kathleen Kilgour Centre in Tauranga, began treating patients with the first Versa HD™ system in the country on September 18, officially opening the clinic. Versa HD, Elekta's latest radiation therapy system, is equipped with advanced beam-shaping and high dose rate technologies to deliver extremely precise treatments in shorter treatment times.

The clinic acquired two Versa HD systems, in addition to Elekta's (EKTA-B.ST) MOSAIQ® Oncology Information System, Monaco® treatment planning system and microSelectron® brachytherapy system.

The "Kathleen Kilgour Centre is now among the most sophisticated and outstanding hospital facilities in New Zealand," says Centre managing director Mark Fraundorfer, MD. "Radiation therapy is a critical service for Bay of Plenty patients. Having this advanced equipment here will enable patients to get their treatments closer to home without having to travel to other more distant centers."

Environmentally friendly

In addition to its high-tech radiotherapy systems, the 32,000 sq ft. (~ 3,000 sq m) facility also is equipped with solar panels to provide clean electrical power and a rainwater harvesting system, substantially reducing Kathleen Kilgour Centre's environmental impact.

"Sunshine will essentially power the Versa HD systems in addition to the cooling and heating systems in the clinic, so we will be very energy efficient," Dr. Fraundorfer notes. "We could have just constructed a building in the normal way, but we wanted to create a facility that not only provided comprehensive radiation therapy services, but also one that was as environmentally sustainable as possible."

distributed by