Installation of a ViewRay MRIdian MRLinac system

Abstract

Introduction: GenesisCare is an innovative, internationally recognised cancer services provider with operations in the UK, Australia and Spain. In October 2018, the company established a working group tasked with implementing the first ViewRay MRIdian MRLinac in the UK. Method: Pre-project work generated a business case and a budget was then board-approved for the assignment. Consequently, a Lead Project Manager was appointed and key workstream teams were established namely build & design, engineering, physics, IT, quality and safety, clinical operations, referrer engagement and marketing. GenesisCare currently has 12 clinical sites in the UK. The Oxford centre was selected as the flagship MRLinac site. The ViewRay MRIdian was the preferred MRLinac as it is the only system capable of tracking tumour movement during treatment. Clinical visits were undertaken by the MRL project team to ViewRay sites across Europe and America to observe how the service is delivered by other healthcare providers and establish working relationships. Works went out to tender and in March 2019 construction of the MRLinac bunker commenced alongside an extensive upgrade of the wider centre including installation of a 3T MRI scanner, PET-CT and implementation of a stereotactic radiosurgery service. Key milestones during installation of the MRLinac include groundworks, structural steel and concrete works, bunker construction, radiofrequency cage and testing, quench pipe installation, vault plate construction, fixings, assembly and installation of ViewRay MRIdian and physics commissioning. Fortnightly site meetings were held involving key project teams and subcontractors to ensure that building works ran to time and troubleshoot issues that may have impacted the project. Bi-monthly meetings were also held with ViewRay to ensure the assembly and installation of the MRIdian results took place according to the project schedule. Conclusion: Establishing an advanced innovative technology in healthcare requires a collaborative partnership approach between teams who are acknowledged as leaders in their field. GenesisCare has engaged a project team with the necessary expertise to implement the first MRIdian MRLinac system in the UK. Further MRLinacs will be implemented at key GenesisCare sites in the UK in the near future.