Italy’s First Public-Private Partnership Dedicated to Radiotherapy Gets Underway

Work begins at the hospital in Potenza. New technologies to enable faster and more accurate treatment planning.

Potenza, 1 October 2026 – The Regional Hospital Authority San Carlo (AOR San Carlo) continues its programme of innovation and expansion of healthcare services, with work recently commencing to strengthen its radiotherapy department.

The signing of a public-private partnership agreement with Amethyst Radioterapia Italia, part of Stingray Healthcare Group and specialising in the development and management of oncology radiotherapy services, marks the beginning of a significant development project. The initiative aims to further improve standards of care and strengthen the hospital’s role in cancer treatment.

Giuseppe Spera, General Director of AOR San Carlo commented:

The expansion of radiotherapy services represents a strategic step in the continued development of our organisation. We continue to invest in innovation, technology and expertise with a clear objective: to provide patients with increasingly high-quality, timely care tailored to their needs. This project strengthens the hospital’s position within the oncology network and contributes to building a more modern and effective regional public healthcare system.

Cosimo Latronico, Regional Councillor for Health and Social Policies stated: 

The start of work to strengthen radiotherapy services confirms the implementation of the actions planned by the Region to enhance and improve Basilicata’s oncology network. Ensuring access to advanced technologies within our public healthcare facilities allows us to raise the standard of services provided, meet the healthcare needs of people in Basilicata and reduce the need for patients to travel outside the region for treatment.

The project includes the construction of a second radiotherapy bunker, the modernisation of technology, the reorganisation of facilities and clinical pathways, and the strengthening of dedicated clinical teams.

This investment will increase patient treatment capacity and make some of the most advanced radiotherapy techniques currently used in oncology more widely available.

Among the first planned developments is the installation of a state-of-the-art CT scanner equipped with advanced technology for monitoring and automatically managing patients’ breathing, allowing image acquisition to be synchronised with their respiratory cycle.

This automated system enables the area of interest to be scanned more quickly than with conventional systems, completing examinations within just a few breathing cycles. This reduces the time patients need to hold their breath and improves comfort.

The technology is particularly effective for imaging organs that are constantly moving, such as the heart and structures within the chest, as it enables the rapid acquisition of high-resolution images essential for accurate and efficient treatment planning.

Ralph Hefti, CEO of Stingray Healthcare Group commented: 

This partnership marks another important chapter in our commitment to San Carlo Hospital in Potenza and the people of Basilicata. 

Over the past four years, working alongside the hospital’s clinical teams, we have supported the development of its radiotherapy services, more than tripling the number of treatment courses delivered.

The new public-private partnership will allow us to further strengthen radiotherapy services by doubling treatment capacity, introducing two next-generation linear accelerators and modernising the department.

We strongly believe that every patient should have access to high-quality cancer care close to home, supported by advanced technologies, clinical expertise and long-term investment in the healthcare system.

Dr Giuseppe Giovinazzo, Head of Radiotherapy at San Carlo Hospital in Potenza added: 

Combining technological innovation, effective organisation and clinical quality means creating a centre capable of meeting patients’ needs with high standards of care and a forward-looking vision.

Having access to advanced technologies and specialist expertise close to home gives patients an additional treatment option, strengthens the regional healthcare system and increases its attractiveness, including for patients from neighbouring areas.

The introduction of these new technologies will make it possible to manage highly complex cases and provide specialised treatments with greater precision, more targeted care and improved protection of healthy tissues.

The installation of next-generation equipment, together with new organisational approaches, will improve service efficiency, expand the range of available treatments and shorten treatment pathways where clinically appropriate.

Psychological support is also planned, offering additional benefits to patients and their families.