Cancer patients heading to Palmerston North for treatment can now expect faster treatment times and improved access to services. Earlier this week, the Regional Cancer Treatment Service officially opened its second new liner accelerator at Palmerston North Hospital. MidCentral DHB spokesperson Dr Claire Hardie said the LINAC, a vital tool in the delivery of radiation therapy to cancer patients, would bolster the number of patients able to be treated on a day from 20-25 people up to 35. She said treatment times will be significantly shortened compared to older machines with average treatment appointments being 12 minutes. More than 1400 people a year pass through the regional cancer treatment service with 26 percent from Hawke's Bay.