UK COMPUTER STOLEN Cancer care hit by Leeds hospital computer theft - Yorkshire Evening Post:

Thursday, 13th August 2009

Cancer care hit by Leeds hospital computer theft

Published Date:
13 August 2009

By Katie Baldwin

Health Reporter

EXCLUSIVE

VITAL research into new cancer treatments could be delayed after thieves stole computers from a Leeds hospital.

A PC containing important software was taken from St James's Hospital.

The computer, along with a laptop, were stolen from an office at the St James's Institute of Oncology in the new £220m Bexley Wing.

The Hewlett Packard PC contained developmental software which was being used in research into new radiotherapy treatments. Funding for this work came partly from the Yorkshire Evening Post's £3m fundraising for the Yorkshire Cancer Centre Appeal.

Prof David Thwaites, head of medical physics and engineering at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said the theft could hold part of their work up.

"The worst case scenario is it could throw it back some months," he said.

The culprits broke into an office in the Bexley Wing at around 7.30pm on Sunday, August 2.

They wheeled the computers out on a small red trolley, which was also taken.

Prof Thwaites said the software on the fixed machine had been developed by a commercial firm they were working with and is critically important for their work, though of no use to anyone else.

It was being used for research linked to two additional linear accelerators, which give radiotherapy treatment to cancer patients, bought thanks to the YEP's fundraising.

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Our campaign reached its £3m target for the Yorkshire Cancer Centre Appeal in just 15 months.

Prof Thwaites added: "This appeal was for equipment for research into the development of new radiotherapy treatments for cancer patients in Leeds and Yorkshire and we were highly appreciative that YEP readers gave so generously."

He said, though the computer was not being used for projects directly affecting patients, nor did it contain personal details, it could delay work towards the development of new treatments.

He appealed for anyone with information to come forward as the research could benefit them, or their family.

A spokesman for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said security was a top priority and a new state-of-the-art £3.5m security control room at St James's was linked to more than 700 cameras.

Insp Nik Adams, who leads the Gipton and Harehills Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), said: "This is a despicable crime that could have a detrimental effect on valuable research being undertaken at St James's."

Anyone with information should contact Gipton and Harehills NPT via 0845 60 60 606 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

l The Yorkshire Cancer Centre Appeal is aiming to raise £10m for research, equipment and environmental improvements at the Bexley Wing.
For more information or to contribute, log on to www.yorkshirecancercentre. org.uk or call 0113 206 8444.