Work has begun on an £8m project to provide state-of-the-art cancer services at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

Robertson Highland will construct the specialist concrete bunkers for two new linear accelerators. The work will also see the development of a new Medical Physics Workshop and the refurbishment the existing Oncology facilities.

Managing Director Raymond More, said: "We are very pleased to be involved in the development of this facility which will be an important asset for the hospital and bring great benefits to cancer patients throughout the Highlands.

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"Robertson has an established track record in delivering projects on behalf of NHS Highland and we look forward to building on this partnership throughout the project duration."

The linear accelerator, which will be housed in the structure being built by Robertson Highland, is a Varian Clinac iX. Among the features of the new machine are its ability to produce high-quality images of tumours, target tumours precisely and a new verification system that checks the treatment has been set up correctly and records the does.

The project also includes a CT simulator that will be used for the planning of treatments.

Dr David Whillis, Consultant Oncologist for NHS Highland, said: "We are delighted that building is now underway to house our new radiotherapy machine. The new linear accelerator will complement our existing machine, which will itself be replaced in 2010. Highland and Western Isles residents can be confident that this investment ensures state of the art cancer treatment facilities for our department."

(JM)