The Government of Aragon completes the construction of the radiotherapy bunker at the new Teruel Hospital

The facility will prevent cancer patients from the province of Teruel from having to travel to Zaragoza for radiotherapy sessions.

The Aragonese Health Service (SALUD) has received this week the works of the radiotherapy bunker of the new Obispo Polanco University Hospital of Teruel, a fundamental step for the future launch of the Radiotherapy Oncology Unit of the center.

The completion of this infrastructure brings closer a long-awaited goal for the province: that cancer patients from Teruel can receive the entire radiotherapy treatment process in Teruel, avoiding trips to Zaragoza for a particularly important health service.

The project has involved an investment of 3.435.344,71 euros financed by the Government of Aragon and includes the drafting of the project, the execution of the works and the technical direction.

After the completion of the works, the next step is to complete the necessary procedures before the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN), the body responsible for verifying that the facility and equipment meet all the safety and radiological protection requirements for patients and professionals.

The Council has already reviewed the project's technical documentation and will continue with the necessary checks before authorizing the commissioning of the facility.

In the coming months, the Elekta linear accelerator will be installed, the same technology used in the other radiotherapy centers in Aragon. This technological standardization facilitates equipment maintenance, coordinates care between centers, and ensures continuity of treatment when needed.

Following the necessary adjustments and tests for the installation of this highly complex technology, the first patients will be treated. The equipment is expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2027.

The Director of Hospital Care for the Aragonese Health Service (SALUD), Sara Guillén, pointed out that the incorporation of this technology into the new Teruel Hospital reflects the Government of Aragon's commitment to offering residents of Teruel the same access to the most advanced treatments as in the other two Aragonese provinces. "Equity is one of the fundamental principles of our healthcare system, and projects like this contribute to making it a reality. When we talk about cancer, bringing specialized care closer to patients is not just an organizational matter, but also one of quality of care and humanization," she said.

The head of the Multihospital Clinical Unit of Radiotherapy Oncology of Aragon (UCMORA), Dr. Reyes Ibáñez, has highlighted that the launch of the Radiotherapy Unit of Teruel "represents a decisive step in the consolidation of a networked Radiotherapy Oncology model for all of Aragon, based on equity, quality and proximity to the patient."

"Our goal is to ensure that place of residence does not limit access to excellent radiotherapy treatment. Teruel will not be an isolated unit, but rather part of a single healthcare network, with shared professionals, technology, protocols, and quality standards. We are bringing radiotherapy closer to the patient without compromising on excellence."

An area designed for comprehensive patient care

The Radiation Oncology Unit is located on basement level -1 of building S2 in the new hospital. The main access to this unit will be from inside the hospital, although it will also have a separate pedestrian entrance from the outside.

Alongside the linear accelerator, a planning CT scanner will be installed, an essential technology for radiotherapy treatments. This equipment allows for obtaining precise images of the patient and individually designing each treatment, ensuring that radiation is delivered with maximum precision to the tumor while preserving healthy tissue.

The spaces included in this action have a constructed area of ​​233,45 square meters for the radiotherapy area in the basement, 88,9 square meters for the area designated for the planning CT scan and 270 square meters on the ground floor for the new 061 base, which will have independent access.

The opening of this unit marks a milestone for healthcare in Teruel, as it allows the province, for the first time, to have the necessary resources to offer comprehensive radiotherapy treatments within its own territory. This means patients will be able to complete the entire radiation oncology care process in Teruel, from treatment planning to administration, improving access to this service and eliminating the need for frequent trips outside the province.

Source: health DepartmentGovernment of Aragon