London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is a world-class academic health sciences centre located in the southwestern Ontario city of London.
As one of Canada's largest acute-care teaching hospitals, LHSC delivers world-class care and experiences, built on our commitment to excellence in research, innovation, and learning.
The Verspeeten has a diverse set of equipment that enables us to provide personalized and high-quality care. We are continually innovating and implementing new technologies and have close associations with Western University and industry partners.
Detailed Facility Information
External Beam
We have a robust external beam treatment program providing specialized and complex treatments, spanning from conventional through stereotactic treatments, with surface-guided workflows and adaptive capability for select cases.
Our equipment includes:
External Beam Radiation Therapy Machines
- 7 × Varian TrueBeam (including 2 with HD-MLC for fine modulation)
- 1 × Varian iX
- 1 × Accuray Tomotherapy
- 1 × Varian Ethos (installed 2025; several fully adaptive patients treated)
- 1 × XStrahl Orthovoltage (superficial/orthovoltage treatments)
Surface Guidance
- 2 × VisionRT AlignRT systems for TrueBeam linacs (supports SGRT for setup, intrafraction monitoring, and motion management)
- 1 in bore Vision RT system for the Ethos linac
Capabilities
- IMRT/VMAT, SABR (stereotactic ablative radiotherapy) & SRS, motion management, image-guided workflows, and adaptive radiotherapy on Ethos
- Robust retreatment/reirradiation program
Imaging & Simulation
High-quality simulation supports accurate target and OAR definition and motion assessment.
CT Simulation
2 × Canon Large-Bore Exceed CT simulation scanners (first in North America) with dual-energy capabilities
Multi-modality access
Direct access to diagnostic MR and PET/CT for multimodality planning and adaptive decision-making
Brachytherapy
We boast a comprehensive brachytherapy program offering both HDR and LDR techniques with high clinical throughput. Treatments are primarily cervical, uterine, and prostate cancer patients.
Equipment Includes:
HDR
- Varian GammaMed Plus afterloader
- Several different applicator/techniques including:
- Ring and Tandem
- Tandem and ovoid
- Ring and tandem with interstitial needles (Vienna)
- Multichannel cylinder with interstitial needles (Kelowna)
- Single channel cylinder
- Multichannel cylinder (Miami applicator)
- Ultrasound-guided interstitial prostate
LDR
Iodine-125 seed implants for prostate
Software
We have several different software platforms to support the program, facilitating complex analytical methods for treating patients. This includes:
Treatment planning:
- Varian Eclipse for most sites (AAA and Acuros XB)
- Raystation for SRS
- Ethos TPS for adaptive treatments
- Accuray for tomotherapy treatments
Record and verify:
- Fully integrated Varian Aria record and verify system
Image analysis and PACs system:
- MIM Software
Scripting/automation:
- Full Microsoft Office Suite of tools
- Varian ESAPI API for automation tasks in Eclipse
Research and Innovation
The Verspeeten has a long history of research and innovation, maintaining a strong relationship with several academic institutions in London including Western University, Robarts Research Institute, and Lawson Research Institute. For a highlight of the historical innovations the Verspeeten has been involved with, please see Our History page.
People, Teaching and Culture
The Verspeeten has a focus on teaching and collaboration both internally and with other centres, vendors, and research groups across the world. To support this, the Physics and Engineering department has the following staff members:
Clinical physics & planning
- 18 Medical Physicists
- 13 Medical Dosimetrists
Technical & Informatics
- 5 Electronics Technologists
- 3 Medical Physics Associates
- 1 IT Administrator
- 1 Physics Software Technical Specialist
Education & training
- CAMPEP-accredited Medical Physics Residency (3 residents)
- Radiation Oncology Residency (10 residents)
- Participation in Radiation Therapy education for radiation therapists (Michener Institute or Mohawk)
Expectations
- Participate in clinical service, teaching, research, and development
