Townsville Hospital treat their first Unity patient

The Townsville Hospital and Health Service has officially launched its new Elekta Unity MR-Linac—the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, and one of only 10 systems worldwide.

Dr. Alex Tan describes the Elekta Unity as a revolutionary advancement in cancer treatment. By combining a high-field MRI scanner with a linear accelerator, this cutting-edge technology allows clinicians to:

• Deliver precise, high-dose radiation to tumors over shorter treatment times
• Visualize tumor movement in real time during treatment
• Do things previously impossible with conventional radiotherapy systems

The integration of real-time MRI guidance into radiation therapy is transforming how cancer is treated—offering better outcomes, greater precision, and personalized care.