Radiotherapy Treatment
When you arrive at level minus 2, pink zone please bypass the electronic check-in, and the first oncology outpatients' reception desk.
Make your way to the radiotherapy reception desk.
Once you are checked in, you will be directed to the main radiotherapy treatment waiting area.
Note: If you have been asked to complete any pre-treatment preparation, ie. Bladder or Bowel preparation, we ask that you check for any appointment delays before you start. Then please follow any instructions given at the planning appointment.
For any queries relating to preparation, please speak to a member of staff when you arrive.
The radiographers will call your full name over a Tannoy (loud speaker) and ask you to come to a specific sub-waiting area. You will be called in for treatment when it is your turn. If you are in a wheelchair, or don't hear your name called, please don't worry, we will come to find you.
To help us to keep to time and ensure clothing is not obstructing our procedures, you will be asked to change into a gown. You will need to remove all clothing covering the area of the body we are treating. You can bring your own long dressing gown if you wish. There are changing areas available in all areas.
If you need any clarification on whether you need to change, what clothing to remove, or if you need directions to the changing areas, please ask any member of staff.
Therapeutic Radiographers.
In Poole hospital we have 3 treatment machines (linear accelerators – or linacs) all named after landmarks called Chesil, Furzey and Shell Bay. In Dorchester, at the Dorset county hospital we have 1 radiotherapy linac machine called West Bay. The machine you will be on will be printed on your appointment list.
All 4 machines are Varian Truebeam Linear Accelerators and look like this:
We also have a superficial radiotherapy machine called Durdle. You may be booked on this machine if you have a superficial skin cancer.
Each appointment will take between 10-30 minutes. For most of that time the therapeutic radiographers will be getting you in the same position as you were in for your planning appointment.
SGRT (Surface Guided Radiotherapy) is an advanced form of technology used on our linear accelerator (linac) treatment machines at UHD. It allows us to position you accurately without the need for permanent tattoos on your skin. When getting you in the correct position for your treatment, you may see a harmless red light projected onto your skin. You can close your eyes if you wish.
Once we are happy with your position, we will leave you alone and go next door to the control room. There may be a period where nothing seems to be happening. This is where we are making our checks and getting the machine ready. We will watch you on CCTV. You will be given instructions on how to call for help if required.
Before the treatment begins, we will use the treatment machine to take some 3D pictures of your internal anatomy (CBCT). We compare these pictures against your planning CT scan to check that your treatment will be given accurately. If tiny micro-adjustments are required to make your treatment more accurate, you may feel and hear the couch moving slightly.
When we are happy that the treatment will be accurate, we will switch on the treatment beam. You will not feel anything during the delivery of radiotherapy as it is an x-ray treatment. You might hear a buzzing noise when the treatment beam is on. Surface guided technology means that we can monitor your position closely throughout each treatment. The machine will automatically switch off if you are out of position at any time.
If you are booked on Chesil, Furzey or West Bay, the treatment machine will move around you under our guidance. It will not touch you.
If you are having radiotherapy on Durdle, the radiographers will place the machine gently, but firmly in direct contact with the skin for the duration of the treatment. Treatment on Durdle can take around 1-10 minutes but you will be in the room for around 20 minutes.
You will be monitored closely by your therapeutic radiographers. You will be asked how you are getting on and you can let us know if you have any questions or if you need help to manage side effects at any time. We can also arrange for you to be seen by a specialist radiographer, consultant or other specialist team should you have any problems during your course of treatment. Please don't suffer in silence – we are here to help you!!
Unless you have been informed otherwise, you will receive a follow-up appointment to see a consultant, review radiographer or consultant radiographer. Typically, this will be 4-6 weeks after completion of your radiotherapy course. If you need help and advice between the end of radiotherapy finishing, and your follow-up you can find our helpline information here.
