February 2010
Two VERT systems for Vancouver
The British Columbia Institute of Technology and the British Columbia Cancer Agency have ordered two VERT systems from Vertual. This will bring the total number of VERT systems in Canada to three.
January 2010
First VERT system installed in Russia
The first VERT system (Seminar VERT) was installed in Russia at the Gertsen Research Oncological Institute in Moscow during January. Andy Beavis, one of Vertual's Founders, visited the Institute to provide training and to hand-over the system.
November 2009
Co-founder Prof Andy Beavis wins Innovation and Technology Award from UK Department of Health
Following his recent success by winning the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine's (IPEM) prestigous Manufacturers Award, our Co-founder, Andy Beavis, scooped a prestigous national Healthcare Science Award. The Department of Health (UK) awarded him the Chief Science Officers Innovation and Technology Award for his efforts on VERT. The award was presented at the Chief Scientific Officers Conference (24 - 25 November 2010, London).
Launch of VERT in USA at ASTRO 2009
Vertual stole the show at ASTRO 51st Annual Meeting (Chicago, 1 - 5 November) with a 3D presentation of its VERT product. Vertual was launching its range of VERT products in the USA. with hourly presentations of VERT which were well attended. Many of the presentations were given by one of Vertual's customers, namely Mark Holland of Birmingham City University. The Programme Directors Forum and Cocktail Party held at the British Consulate and organised by Vertual was a spectacular success. Vertual were a Copper Sponsor of the ASTRO Meeting.
October 2009
Rotterdam Erasmus Medical Center adopt VERT for their Radiation Therapy Training programmes.
Rotterdam Erasmus Medical Centre and Vertual Ltd are proud to announce a strategic relationship that brings immersive (or virtual reality) simulation-based education in radiation therapy for the very first time to the Netherlands and Central Europe. The press release is available here.
September 2009
Prestigous IPEM Manufacturers Award goes to Vertual's Co-founder Prof Andy Beavis.
Our Co-founder and Chief Scientifc Officer, Andy Beavis, scoops a prestigous national award in recognition of his work on the VERT project. On being presented with the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine's (IPEM) Manufacturers Award Andy said: "I am very proud that my professional body has recognised the impact that VERT has had on changing the way in which therapy Radiographers are now trained in England".
August 2009
Varian to Distribute Vertual’s 3D Virtual Reality Training Systems.
Varian Medical Systems International AG and Vertual Ltd announce their distribution agreement that will enable Varian to offer Vertual’s VERT range of 3D Virtual Reality Radiation Therapy Training systems for sale alongside its radiation therapy products. The press release is available here.
July 2009
Michener Institute are first in North America to adopt VERT for Simulation in Radiation Therapy Education.
Vertual Ltd and the Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences, Toronto are proud to announce a strategic alliance that will bring immersive (or virtual reality) simulation-based education in radiation therapy for the very first time to Canada and North America. The press release is available here.
October 2008
Diamond Partners of CoRIPS
Vertual Ltd become Diamond Partnrs of The College of Radiographers Industry Partnership Scheme (CoRIPS). This scheme allows industry to collaborate with the Society and College (SCoR) and provide financial support for research and educational projects.
Founder Andy Beavis of Vertual accepted the Diamond Partner Plaque from the President of the College at London Southbank University.
September 2008
Vertual at ESTRO in Gothenburg
Vertual demonstrated VERT on a purpose built 3D Auditorium on Varian's stand at ESTRO. The hourly VERT shows run throughout the conference were soon fully booked. In total some 400 delegates enjoyed the 3D experience ofbeing in a virtual radiotherapy treatment room. The highight of the show was VERT's immersive 3D visualization of Varian's RapidArc treatment.
August 2008
Vertual sets up its International Marketing Team
Arthur Kay is appointed Director of International Marketing and Sales for Vertual Ltd. Kay has 35 years experience as a senior executive in the international radiotherapy equipment business. He has had highly successful appointments with Philips and Varian.
December 2007
Project Excellence award
The three Founders of Vertual win the most prestigous Project Excellence award "BT Flagship Award for Innovation" for their VERT project at the 2007 BCS IT Industry Awards. The Founders were also Runners Up for the Social Contribution Project Excellence Award for their VERT project. This outstanding success was reported in Computer Weekly's Virtual Training Wins Gong article. Available here.
Government Cancer Strategy recommends VERT
The Cancer Reform Strategy (Department of Health) released by the UK Government in December 2007 sets out the Cancer Strategy for England until 2012. The strategy recognised that the poor learning experiences of the radiotherapy workforce in the clinical setting contributed to the high attrition rate (see 4.30 of Report). To address this problem the report recommended the introduction of Virtual Environments for Radiotherapy Treatments (VERT) into radiotherapy training sites throughout England. To achieve this recommendation the Government has provided £5M of capital funding to provide VERT at 10 Universities and some 40 radiotherapy treatment centres in England.