Caroline's Monthly Update

Dear Colleagues

Thank you for your interest in The Christie. I'm delighted to give you a very brief update of developments and news which have taken place over the last month.

20:20 Vision consultation update

We have received more than 600 responses from members, patients, the public and staff since our 20:20 Vision engagement exercise was launched in September. Thanks so much to everyone who's taken part so far. It's a fantastic response, but we are really keen to hear from more of you.

There are a number of themes to have emerged so far. These include the fact that The Christie is seen as friendly, positive and giving the best possible patient care.  Our holistic services are very much valued too. People have told us that they prefer to receive clinical information face to face initially, but also want it in writing. Continuity of cancer care is also important to our patients. There has also been support for The Christie to treat people closer to their homes.

Please give your views about what services The Christie should offer in the year 2020 by logging onto our website:. Thanks for taking part. The deadline for ideas is 31 March 2012.

Green Apple Award

We have been awarded a Green Apple Award at a ceremony at the House of Commons in recognition of our endeavors in environmental best practice. 

This national award was won in competition with 500 other organisations.

We are absolutely delighted to have been recognised for our green credentials. It's something we work very hard at because as a large organisation we have a responsibility to our community, as well as ourselves, to make the place we live and work in better for everyone.

Protecting our patients and staff from flu

We are in the middle of a campaign to encourage all of our staff to have their flu jab to protect patients and themselves from getting ill.

The latest figures show that more than half of our front line staff have now been immunised - more than three times the number for the same time last year.

Even so, we have some we have some way to go to ensure all staff are protected, and our vaccination programme continues with gusto.

Come along to The Christie carol concert

Do come along to the this year's Christie Carol Concert which takes place at The Monastery in Manchester on Tuesday 13 December from 7pm-9.15pm.

It promises to be a fun-filled festive night, and features Manchester recording artist Martin Toal, leading UK violinist Craig Owen, singers Helen England and Kayley Rose, and St John's RC primary and The Ryleys school choirs. 

Visit www.christies.org/carolconcert for more information or contact 0161 446 3988.

New bowel cancer awareness campaign to be launched

The Government plans to run a national bowel cancer symptoms awareness campaign for eight weeks from the end of January 2012.

The campaign is launched as a result of the very effective pilot which ran in the south west and the east of England earlier this year. This encouraged 50% more people with symptoms to come forward.

We are looking forward to supporting the campaign.

Employee of the month

Congratulations to our latest employee of the month winner Elaine Blowers, research nurse team leader.