OXFORD University has announced it will be working with a private cancer treatment provider over the next 10 years to improve diagnosis and treatment for patients.

The 'unique' partnership with GenesisCare, which has a treatment centre based in Littlemore, will see new patient trials to explore the potential of 'cutting-edge technology' in the treatment of the disease.

It is thought the advancement made during the 10-year scheme will ultimately help improve the diagnosis, management and treatment of cancer in patients across the country.

One of the first steps will see 'state-of-the-art' radiotherapy equipment installed at the GenesisCare centre which will be used to both treat patients and for research purposes.

Head of the department of Oncology at Oxford University professor Mark Middleton, said: “This partnership offers something unique. The organisations involved are heavily committed to driving innovation together to advance cancer care and tangibly improve a patient’s treatment experience.

Executive manager at GenesisCare Europe, Aldo Rolfo, said both organisations were looking to Both organisations aim to 'push the boundaries of current knowledge' adding: “By bringing the world’s most innovative technologies to the UK we can advance current cancer management and research."

The installation of the new machine, which will allow doctors to measure cancer in real-time and adjust radiation delivery to changing tumours, is scheduled to take place at Littlemore later this year.