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We are The Christie magazine

Read our staff and patient magazine below.

The name of this magazine - We are The Christie - was chosen to reflect the togetherness here at The Christie. We believe this is a place where everyone’s voice is valued, and we want this new publication to showcase that.

In the latest edition, you’ll be able to read about happenings from around the Trust. Stories include a feature about Ian Rutherford, who works in our car parking team, a focus on The Christie at Macclesfield's 4th anniversary and information about how apprenticeships at The Christie are helping our staff to develop their careers.

Welcome

A word from our executive editor - Dr Neil Bayman

Welcome to the winter edition of We are The Christie.

2025 was a year defined by progress and real teamwork across our Trust. We’re pleased to share some examples of this in these pages, including our radiotherapy clinical trials team being named ‘UK Radiography Team of the Year’ by the Society of Radiographers, and a feature on Ian Rutherford, winner of our patient-nominated ‘Act with Kindness’ award. These sit within a wider year of clinical milestones, expanding services, and continued advances in research and education.

As always, we highlight the people who make The Christie special – our patients and our colleagues.

This issue also looks ahead at some exciting innovations coming to the Trust. As part of our Future Christie transformation programme, we’re preparing to introduce ambient voice technology (AVT), a digital note-taker or ‘scribe’ that will help improve the patient experience and support clinical teams. More is planned throughout 2026, and we'll keep you updated across all of our channels.

Our successes are only possible because of all colleagues across the Trust, and I’m grateful to everyone who has contributed to the care we provide.

Thank you for reading.

Dr Neil Bayman
Executive Medical Director

Contents

News in brief

Executive assistants recognised with national award 

5 of our executive assistants recently received the ‘Unsung Hero’ award at The National PA Awards in Manchester. 

The team were originally nominated by service manager and line manager Paulette Eckersley for the ‘Stronger Together’ category. After reviewing the nomination, judges felt the team’s story deserved wider recognition and created a brand-new award to acknowledge their commitment and outstanding teamwork. 

“I’ve only been managing and leading the team at The Christie since June, but from day one, I could see they were deserving of this award. They’ve faced significant challenges in recent months, yet they’ve consistently supported each other and delivered exceptional service to the executive team. I’m so proud to see them recognised in this way, —they truly deserve it,” Paulette says. 

Introducing ambient voice technology 

As part of our Future Christie modernisation programme, we are introducing ambient voice technology (AVT) - a digital note-taker - to help make patient appointments clearer and more efficient.  

AVT is a secure tool that listens during a consultation and helps create an accurate written summary of what was discussed. Clinicians check everything before it is saved, and the conversation with the clinical team remains the most important part of the appointment. 

Using AVT means clinicians can spend less time typing notes and more time focusing on patients. It also means patients will receive a clear written summary sooner, helping them remember what was agreed and share information with their GP. 

As Adrian Bloor, our Medical Director for Future Christie, says: “At its heart, this innovation is about freeing up time to care.” 

AVT launched with consultants in selected areas in early 2026 and will now be gradually introduced across the hospital, ensuring all the right support is in place. 

Cancer conference success for The Christie 

Christie researchers went to Berlin in October for the European Society for Medical Oncology annual meeting, one of the world’s most prestigious cancer research conferences. 
 
In total, they were involved in over 30 presentations and poster sessions covering everything from early-phase trial results and patient-reported outcomes to resilience in oncology professionals and basic and translational research. 
 
Some of the highlights include Gemma Jones, one of our senior nurses, speaking about electronic patient-reported outcomes in streamlining pre-treatment assessment, and Dr Andrew Clamp presenting overall survival analysis of the ICON8B trial as part of the gynaecological cancer session. 

Congratulations also go to Professor Fiona Thistlethwaite and Dr Colin Lindsay, who both won awards for posters they presented at the conference. 

The Christie builds partnership with Ukrainian cancer doctors 

The Christie has hosted 3 groups of cancer clinicians from Ukraine over the last few months.

It’s part of a partnership with the National Cancer Institute of Ukraine, and the visitors are spending time with Christie teams in their respective fields – radiotherapy, surgery, and medical oncology – as well as sharing their own experiences of delivering cancer care in extremely difficult circumstances back home.

The visits are happening under the International Medical Partnership initiative and the UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership Treaty and are funded by Global Health Partnerships.

Dr Zubir Ahmed MP, Health Minister, visited the hospital on 18 December to meet the Ukrainian and Christie teams and find out more about the difference the partnership is making.

The Christie on the small screen 

The Christie was recently featured in a three-part documentary series about ground-breaking cancer research that’s happening across the UK. 

Episode 3 focuses on Professor Caroline Dive, Director of the Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre, which is based at our Withington site. 

She and her team of experts from Cancer Research UK, The University of Manchester and The Christie are developing innovative blood tests to detect cancer, looking for tiny fragments of cancer DNA in the blood that give them a lot of information about how and when to treat it. 

Through her work, we meet mechanic Lee, who is being treated for cancer of unknown primary at The Christie. Doctors can’t find where his cancer started. Could Caroline’s pioneering blood tests help? The programme also focuses on patient Damian, who hopes to join a trial to test if his recent skin cancer could be coming back, so he can move on with family life. 

You can stream ‘Cancer Detectives: Finding the Cures’ now on Channel 4.

Feature story - 'Act with Kindness' award: Ian Rutherford

Ian Rutherford, who works in our car parking team, was chosen as the ‘Act with Kindness’ winner at our annual 2025 Christie Colleague Awards.  

Ian’s nomination came from a patient’s daughter, Heather Harrison, who described him as ‘kind, professional and caring’. 

“Ian is the first person we see when we come to The Christie,” Heather says. “We travel quite a way to get there, and he’s always there to welcome us and help us get parked. He’s out there come rain or shine but always takes time out of his day to come and have a chat. 

“Ian’s been the one consistent person who has made our journey easier. He must see hundreds of people a day, but he always offers his time and kindness. He’s inclusive, kind, and always goes the extra mile. Overall, he’s just a fabulous human being. I can’t express how grateful I am for the difference he’s made.” 

Heather first met Ian on her father’s very first visit to The Christie. “We couldn’t get parked and had travelled over 30 miles to attend,” she says. “Ian got us parked within minutes. Since the first meeting, at a time that was difficult for us all, he has been consistent. Every time I have seen him at drop off or parking, he takes a couple of minutes from his day to talk to me, my mum and dad and asks us how we are.” 

Ian was one of 80 colleagues or teams nominated for the ‘Act with Kindness’ award. Thank you to everyone who took the time to tell us about those people who have made a difference during their time at The Christie. 

At the ceremony, Ian was joined by dozens of other colleagues who were nominated in other categories like ‘Clinical Team of the Year’, ‘Learner of the Year’, and ‘Innovation and Improvement.’ 

With over 4,000 colleagues caring for 60,000 people every year, there are so many brilliant things going on every day – the awards ceremony really is just the tip of the iceberg. 

Everyone at The Christie has a role to play in caring for patients and their loved ones. Ian’s story is a powerful reminder that kindness can start long before a clinical appointment begins. 

Feature story - Apprenticeships

How apprenticeships help our staff to develop their careers 

At The Christie, we support staff to reach their full potential. Apprenticeships are one way we achieve this.  

With National Apprenticeship Week taking place from 9 to 15 February 2026, we thought it’d be fitting to highlight how apprenticeships at The Christie can help build confidence and long-term careers. 

An apprenticeship is a paid job that combines formal learning and assessment, leading to recognised qualifications.  

4 of our colleagues, Suzanne Lagan, Abbey Walker, Leah Hutchison-Saxon and Brian Hall share their experiences of apprenticeships at The Christie. They discuss how the opportunity to gain qualifications and develop practical skills has advanced their careers. 

Suzanne Lagan - Radiographer 

In April 2025, Suzanne Lagan qualified as a fully registered diagnostic radiographer at The Christie, marking the culmination of more than a decade of learning, much of which was supported by the Trust. 

Suzanne began her career in beauty therapy, but her interest in anatomy and physiology led her to pursue a healthcare career. A careers  open day at The Christie in 2010 led to a week’s placement in radiotherapy. Inspired, Suzanne researched further and realised that diagnostic imaging might be where her strengths lay. 

In 2011, she joined The Christie as a radiographic aide, subsequently gaining 9 years of experience in CT and ultrasound. “I was fascinated by how image quality could influence someone’s diagnosis or treatment plan and the clinical decisions that impact patient care,” she recalls. 

Undiagnosed dyslexia and a lack of GCSEs in maths and English initially held her back, but The Christie supported her to complete the Care Certificate and an NVQ Level 3 in healthcare in 2016. This support enabled her to apply for further training, and in 2019, she became the first person in diagnostic radiology at The Christie to take the assistant practitioner apprenticeship route. 

“I had a house, a family, and bills to pay,” she says. “Full-time university wasn’t an option. The apprenticeship meant I could earn and gain qualifications at the same time.” 

With encouragement from clinical tutors and colleagues, she completed the 2-year programme and then a further 18 months of study to become a fully qualified radiographer in April 2025. 

Now working across X-ray, CT and interventional radiology, Suzanne is thriving. “It’s a big step up, but I was ready for it,” she says. “The Christie helped me build the skills and confidence I needed.” 

Her manager, Sarah Simpson, says: “Suzanne is an outstanding example of what’s possible when someone with passion and commitment is given the right environment to grow. She’s overcome barriers with remarkable resilience.”  

Suzanne is mentoring student radiographers and hopes to inspire others. “If you're interested in healthcare, especially imaging, don’t let fears about age, background or study put you off,” she says. “The Christie will support you every step of the way.”   

Abbey Walker - Senior clinical trial coordinator and project manager 

Abbey Walker joined The Christie in March 2020 as one of the first business administration apprentices in the clinical trials coordinator team. 

With a background ranging from nursery work to payroll and accounts in a cheese factory, Abbey saw the apprenticeship as an opportunity to step into a meaningful specialist role. 

Inspired by her dad’s stem cell transplant treatment for multiple myeloma, Abbey seized the chance to learn on the job while gaining qualifications. “I’ve always preferred learning on the job,” she says. 

Her apprenticeship earned her a level 3 business administration qualification and a level 2 qualification in medical terminology. By 2023, she was promoted to a senior clinical trials coordinator secondment, later expanding into project management across the lymphoma and haematology research teams. 

One of Abbey's most significant challenges was adapting to the project manager role and learning new skills such as building an electronic database. She is now in her second year of a project management degree apprenticeship with the University of Cumbria. 

Abbey credits her development to the exceptional support of her colleagues and managers, particularly her initial line manager, Juliet Harris, who nurtured her confidence. She enjoys the variety of her work and the opportunity to make a difference.   

Leah Hutchison-Saxon - Theatre practitioner 

Leah began her Christie journey in 2019 as a healthcare assistant in clinical trials. After a decade in HR, she longed for a more people-focused role. 

Seeing a nursing associate apprenticeship advertised rekindled her childhood dream of becoming a nurse. This hands-on route allowed her to earn while learning, thereby removing financial barriers that had previously held her back from attending university. 

After completing the apprenticeship, Leah was encouraged to apply for one of just 3 places on the top-up registered nurse apprenticeship. To her delight, she was accepted and is now qualified as a registered nurse, working as a theatre practitioner in surgical oncology theatres. 

Leah credits her success to the support of colleagues in endocrinology and the unwavering guidance and encouragement she received from Yvonne Rushton, who managed her as a nursing associate. 

Leah values being there for patients at vulnerable moments. She hopes to inspire others to “grab the opportunity and believe in themselves”.    

Brian Hall - Pharmacy services assistant 

Brian Hall, one of our pharmacy assistants, was named ‘Health and Science Apprentice of the Year 2025’ at the Preston College Awards. 

Brian joined The Christie nearly 6 years ago, starting out in the catering team, but always with a plan. “My intention was to do 12 months in the kitchen and then work my way onto the wards,” he explains. Despite progressing to head chef, Brian knew he wanted a more patient-facing role. “When the apprentice opportunity came up in pharmacy, I just went for it,” he says. 

Now working in the pharmacy team, Brian supports ward and patient top-ups and dispensing between departments, while studying towards his qualification. Returning to education was a big step. “It was a bit daunting going back into education. I hadn’t done academic work for years,” he says. “But I’ve had great support from the team, and I’m really enjoying it.” 

Reflecting on his role, Brian adds: “I’m happiest when I’m in a role where I’m helping others. I’ve never once woken up and thought, ‘I don’t fancy going in today.’ That says it all really.” 

Interested in an apprenticeship at The Christie? 

We offer apprenticeships in: 

  • Business and medical administration
  • Healthcare (nursing, radiography, physiotherapy, pharmacy, science roles)
  • Management (from team leader to chartered manager)
  • Digital, facilities, finance, human resources   

Apprenticeships are available from level 2 (GCSE equivalent) to level 6 (degree level). 

Apprentices need to undertake 6 hours of off-the-job learning per week, and have the approval of their manager prior to applying. 

For more information, email the-christie.apprenticeships@nhs.net. 

Staff stories

Megan Davies, Additive manufacturing engineer 

Megan Davies is part of The Christie’s 3D technology team, working on how digital tools, such as 3D scanning and 3D printing, could support clinicians and improve patient experience. 

Megan studied 3D design at Manchester Metropolitan University, later completing an MSc in Digital Design and Manufacturing, where she explored how 3D technology can be used in a healthcare context. She joined The Christie to help develop new digital solutions that could enhance patient care. 

A key part of her work focuses on early development and testing. “Right now, our work is helping lay the foundations for future patient-facing solutions.  

We’re testing how 3D scanning and printing might help us create personalised medical devices, such as shielding masks and brachytherapy applicators – devices used to help deliver treatment more accurately and comfortably. Patient education is also an area we can help with, by printing anatomical models for patients and their clinicians to plan and explain a procedure,” she says. 

Supporting colleagues is central to their work too. “We’re here as a resource for any clinician or team who thinks 3D technology might help improve their current workflow,” Megan says. “We’re encouraging staff to come to us with ideas that we can prototype, test and evaluate to see what’s possible. We will help teams across The Christie to innovate safely and efficiently.” 

For Megan, the most rewarding part of her work is seeing design and engineering directly support patient care. “What I enjoy most about my role is the mix of creativity and clinical purpose. Being able to use my traditional design background, and additive manufacturing knowledge and apply them clinically. It’s incredibly rewarding to be in a multidisciplinary space where engineering, design and patient care meet.” 

Patient stories

Louise Anderson 

Louise Anderson, a 56-year-old swimming teacher and a school support assistant, has been living with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) – a type of blood cancer – for nearly 9 years.

Louise, or ‘Nannie’ as she’s known to her 2 grandchildren, lives with her dog, a Border Terrier called Angus, in Macclesfield. She has taught swimming to children and adults for 23 years and worked in secondary education for 20 years. Although CLL is highly treatable and many patients will go through long periods of remission, it’s not completely curable, something Louise found difficult to deal with at first.

“I didn’t need any treatment – just monitoring – for the first couple of years after my diagnosis. I’m a practical person, so I found that difficult as there was nothing I could do. CLL is a bit different to some other cancers in that I’ll never be fully rid of it, which some people find hard to understand.”

Louise loves staying active and busy. In addition to working 2 jobs, she also enjoys cycling and swimming, and is studying for a degree in Childhood and Youth Studies with the Open University.

She also loves travelling and recently spent a few weeks in Kefalonia volunteering with a turtle conservation project.

“Being active and travelling enriches my mental wellbeing and my life as a whole. Dr Faye Sharpley, my consultant at The Christie at Macclesfield, has been brilliant in understanding this and helping me achieve as much as I can. I had to go back on treatment a few months before I went to Greece, but I told her I was going to do it, and she was fully supportive. We worked together to make sure that I was ready to go.

“I had the best time in Greece. We were up early each morning, cycling the 7 miles to the beach to look out for any nests that had been made overnight. Once we’d found one, we’d measure and mark the area to stop people from accidentally destroying it.

“I’m now on my second line of treatment, which is a daily pill, so I was able to keep taking that while I was out there. I had a couple of dips when I started taking it, but it’s got better, and I hope it stays that way. 

“The trip was physically challenging, but I did it, and I’m very proud of that. It did wonders for my physical and mental health. When you have cancer, being able to feel like yourself and to do the things you love is so important to your overall wellbeing. It’s made a massive difference to me,” Louise says.

Do you have a story to share? We’d love to hear from you, please get in touch with our team at the-christie.press.office@nhs.net

You Made A Difference awards

At The Christie, we’re proud to celebrate the incredible contributions of our staff and volunteers through our You Made a Difference Awards. Here are our recent winners.

Congratulations to all our winners for their exceptional work and the positive impact they continue to have on The Christie community. Please visit our for You Made a Difference Awards page for more details and nominations. 

Around the Trust

Reflecting on 15 years of the Oak Road Treatment Centre 

It’s 15 years since the Oak Road Treatment Centre (ORTC) opened, and 2 colleagues who have been there from the start have been reflecting on how systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) services have grown to support more patients and increasingly complex care at The Christie. Since opening in 2010, the centre is estimated to have delivered around 550,000 treatments, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy and clinical trial care. 

Maxine Neville has worked at ORTC since it opened and has seen that growth first-hand. “We used to schedule standard treatments only, but now we schedule complex regimes for around twice as many patients, and the team has grown to 25 schedulers,” she says. She adds: “Despite the increase in activity, we still take the time to help each other. That’s what teams are about.” 

Supporting patients remains central to the work of the unit. Rhona Johnson, senior SACT clinical educator, recalls helping a patient who was worried that treatment would prevent her from attending a family wedding. “I spoke to the doctors and arranged for her to come the following week instead, so she could enjoy the wedding in Ireland,” she says. 

Despite changes in treatments and technology, Rhona says the experience for patients has remained constant. “One thing I noticed when I started at The Christie was the ‘family feel’ it had. Patients often comment on this, and say they feel listened to here, and that as nurses we really do care. This has been the way since my first day.” 

Oldham in bloom

The courtyard garden at The Christie at Oldham has been given a new lease of life, just in time for spring. 

It’s been beautifully transformed into a peaceful and accessible space for patients, colleagues and visitors to enjoy.  

Funded by a grant from The William Dean Countryside and Educational Trust, the garden now features improved wheelchair access and vibrant planting designed to bring colour and calm all year round. 

The new garden was officially opened by the Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Oldham, and it is already being enjoyed again by patients visiting the centre. 

The Christie at Oldham delivers around 17,000 radiotherapy treatments every year, helping patients across Greater Manchester receive world-class cancer care closer to home.  

£8m advanced immunotherapy research programme launches at The Christie 

CAR-T therapy is a type of immunotherapy that is transforming survival prospects for certain patients with blood cancers like lymphoma and leukaemia.  

However, many experience severe overreactions, including Cytokine Release Syndrome, which can be potentially life-threatening.  

Dr Jon Lim and his team at The Christie and The University of Manchester are working to change this. Building on 30 years of worldwide research, the RISE study aims to help patients better tolerate cutting-edge immunotherapy treatments like CAR-T.  

The £8m programme plans to recruit up to 100 patients over five years and includes £3.4m in funding from the Medical Research Council, alongside industry support.

Dr Lim says: “Funding of this scale is rare, and we’re grateful for the opportunity. It reflects both the complexity of the challenge and the shared hope that this work can genuinely improve patients’ lives. 

“RISE brings together experts from across Manchester to understand how new cancer immunotherapies work, and why they sometimes cause serious side effects. Our ambition is to position the UK as a global leader in research focused on the safe delivery of cell therapies.”

A new blood test for appendix cancer 

Appendix cancer researchers at the Manchester Cancer Research Centre – a partnership between The Christie, Cancer Research UK and The University of Manchester – have received a £105k grant from The Christie Charity to develop a blood test that could detect appendix tumours before they appear on a scan. 

The grant is part of The Christie 2030 Research Programme, the Charity’s commitment to invest £30 million in cancer research by 2030.

Dr Raghavendar Nagaraju (Rags), Honorary Research Fellow at The Christie, and his team have collected blood and tumour samples from more than 250 patients.

The funding will help researchers assess how effective this blood test is, by showing whether it can provide the same key information as a physical tumour sample. The team is looking for two things: the unique ‘fingerprint’ of an appendix tumour, and fragments of tumour DNA that can reveal specific mutations. 

“The Christie is one of only 2 hospitals in the country to treat appendix tumours, so to get this money from our own charity means a lot,” Rags says.

“Treatment for appendix tumours hasn’t changed in decades, and by doing this work, we are looking at a way of spotting this rare cancer quicker and in a less invasive way. 

“This is a collaborative project between scientists, clinicians and patients who have very kindly gifted us their blood and tissue so we can improve outcomes for other people like them in the future.”

Supporting patients with frailty at The Christie at Macclesfield

As patients and staff mark the fourth anniversary of The Christie at Macclesfield, one of the centre’s key successes has been the frailty service, which supports older, more vulnerable patients. 

With around 23% of the local population aged over 65, the Macclesfield team recognised the need to improve outcomes and experiences for patients with frailty. 

Led by Dr Victoria Lavin, consultant clinical oncologist, and Amanda Morley, cancer care co-ordinator, the service has supported more than 200 patients.  

Patients may have additional needs alongside their cancer diagnosis, such as other health conditions, physical or cognitive decline, complexities caused by numerous medications, or caring responsibilities. 

A simple frailty score helps identify patients who are referred for a holistic assessment. Most commonly, patients are signposted to support within the centre or referred to community services including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and social care. 

The service is helping patients maintain independence, complete their cancer treatment and avoid hospital admissions. An audit showed that 93% of frail patients completed all planned radiotherapy, and 61% completed two or more cycles of chemotherapy. 

Looking ahead, the service will expand in 2026 to provide enhanced support for patients with more complex frailty needs. 

Commonly used support services for frail patients

  • Counselling 
  • Complementary therapy  
  • Falls prevention  
  • Fatigue management 
  • Nutrition advice and dietician referrals 
  • Occupational therapy and physiotherapy 
  • Adult social care for support at home 
  • Support for carers 
  • Local support groups in the community  
  • Parking permits/blue badge applications 
  • Benefits advice  

Charity corner

The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind 

The Christie Charity has partnered with a new exhibition in Manchester this spring featuring more than 200 reimagined works by the acclaimed street artist Banksy. 

‘The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind’ opens on 13 March 2026 at Depot Mayfield in Manchester city centre and runs until 5 July 2026. 

The exhibition includes an interactive collection of graffiti, photographs, sculptures, video installations and prints, exclusively reproduced for this special show. A video screen will also highlight key stages of Banksy’s renowned career. 

Manchester will be the first UK destination for the global exhibition, which has already welcomed more than 3.5 million visitors across 36 cities worldwide. Visitors can see recreations of some of Banksy’s most iconic works, including Girl With Balloon, Devolved Parliament, a fully ‘Banksified’ London Underground carriage, and a towering seven-foot elephant installation. 

The Christie Charity will receive funds from ‘tap to donate’ points around the exhibition, alongside a dedicated charity event on 14 April, sponsored by The DDC Group. DDC Group Founder and Chairman, Jan Trevalyan, is a long-term supporter of The Christie Charity. 

NHS staff can save 18% with an exclusive Blue Light ticket offer, valid for up to two tickets. Family and concession tickets are also available. 

For more information and tickets, visit The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind.

Clearer futures – a new scanning centre 

Nearly every Christie patient will have a CT scan at some point during their treatment. For many, precise treatment planning can mean the difference between life and death. 

Our current CT department is no longer fit for purpose. When it was built in 1980, it saw around 20 patients a day. Today, it is one of the busiest departments in the hospital, seeing more than 15,000 patients each year. 

We urgently need to build a modern scanning centre to house an advanced 4D CT scanner. This next-generation scanner is faster and more accurate than existing technology. It captures the movement of both tumours and surrounding organs, helping clinicians see how this affects tumour position. This is particularly important for treating cancers near organs that move, such as the heart and lungs. 

The new centre will be located on Wilmslow Road opposite Cotton Lane. 

Professor Jon Bell, Clinical Director of Radiology, said: “This development will enable us to deliver world-leading care for every Christie patient. Providing the latest imaging equipment isn’t just an upgrade, it’s an investment in precision, life and hope.” 

Scanning plays a vital role in cancer treatment, but we can’t do this alone. By supporting our new scanning centre appeal, you can help transform care for patients now and in the future. 

To donate, visit the scanning centre page on The Christie Charity website or one of our Charity centres in Withington or Macclesfield. 

Welcome

A word from our executive editor

Hello and welcome to the autumn edition of We Are The Christie.  

This magazine is all about the people who make our Trust what it is. Inside you’ll find stories from patients, families, colleagues and volunteers that show the difference care and compassion can make. 

I’d like to use this opportunity to tell you a little about Future Christie, our 10-year programme to improve how we deliver care. The aim is simple: to make life easier for patients and staff by introducing better technology, more joined-up services and new ways of working. 

You’ll read in this issue about MyChristie, our new patient portal, which is already giving patients easier access to information about their care. Looking ahead, we’re exploring how artificial intelligence could assist with things like radiotherapy planning or consultation transcriptions, developing a new electronic patient record to join up care across the hospital, and using data more effectively to improve services. 

Future Christie is not about changing what makes The Christie special. It’s about building on our strengths so that we can continue to deliver outstanding cancer care for many years to come.  

Thank you for reading and for being part of our community. 

Tom Thornber 
Director of Future Christie  

Contents

News in brief

Record number of treatments delivered  

For the first time in our 125-year history, The Christie has delivered more than 100,000 chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments in a single year. 

Between April 2024 and March 2025, staff provided 105,827 treatments to over 14,000 patients. 

Gemma Jones, Lead Nurse for Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy, said: “Despite these record numbers, our colleagues still aim to provide the highest standards of compassion and care for the people they treat.” 

Patient Suzanne Lackin, who received the milestone 100,000th treatment, added: “I have never been treated as a number. I feel so lucky and grateful to have this incredible place on my doorstep.” 

Future Christie: shaping the next 10 years  

The Christie has launched Future Christie, a 10-year programme to make care more personal, efficient and joined-up while keeping the same compassionate touch we’re known for. 

One of the first changes is MyChristie, our new patient portal, which is now live and giving patients easier access to appointments and information.  

Future developments include linking the portal with the NHS App, new digital tools to help patients share how they’re feeling between treatments and using artificial intelligence for smarter radiotherapy planning and meeting recordings.   

Work has also begun on a new electronic patient record system to give staff the full picture of each patient’s care. 

Re-accreditation as a comprehensive cancer centre 

The Christie has been re-accredited by the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI), once again being recognised as a comprehensive cancer centre. The OECI is a network of Europe’s top cancer centres, focused on improving care, research and education.  

Following a peer review earlier this year, the OECI highlighted The Christie as a leading example for both patient care and research, noting significant progress since the last review.

Our Christie Institute of Cancer Education was also praised for its extensive training programmes reaching healthcare professionals across the UK. 

The report highlighted our motivated staff, patient-centred care, and the impact of our research. This re-accreditation, valid until 2030, reaffirms the Trust’s role as a leader in integrated cancer care and innovation. 

Pioneering advanced nursing practitioner Karen retires 

After more than 3 decades at The Christie, Advanced Practitioner Karen Johnson retired on 10 October 2025. 

She joined as a ward nurse in 1991 and went on to become The Christie’s first advanced practitioner. In this role, she has shaped modern oncology nursing, blending clinical excellence with innovation in service development to deliver outstanding patient-centred care. 

Karen has often been the first clinician a patient will meet at The Christie and can remain their point of contact throughout treatment and follow-up, for 5 years or longer. 

Her clinical expertise and care are deeply valued by the gynaecology team and by her patients.  

Today, because of Karen’s pioneering journey, The Christie has 75 qualified advanced practitioners and 26 in training, supporting almost all clinical areas. The advanced practitioner career pathway is now open to all health professionals, not just nurses. 

Strong results in latest national inpatient survey 

The latest Care Quality Commission inpatient survey shows that patients continue to rate their experience at The Christie among the best in the country.  

Patients gave an overall experience score of 9.2 out of 10, an improvement on last year, placing The Christie third nationally. We were also one of just eight trusts recognised as an outlier for having a high number of scores rated ‘much better than expected’. 

 Patients scored us highly for dignity and respect (9.7), cleanliness (9.6), confidence in doctors (9.7) and privacy (9.9). 

Vicky Sharples, Chief Nurse and Executive Director of Quality, said: “This year’s survey shows that patients continue to have a very positive experience of care at The Christie, which is something we never take for granted.” 

Feature story - MyChristie: your new patient portal

We recently launched MyChristie, a secure online portal that gives patients quick and easy access to important information about their care – anytime, anywhere, on any device. 

With MyChristie, patients can check upcoming appointments, view clinical letters and update their care team using a simple online health questionnaire. The launch is part of Future Christie, our 10-year transformation programme designed to make care more personal, joined-up and efficient, while keeping the same compassionate touch that The Christie is known for.  

Tom Thornber, Director of Future Christie, said: “MyChristie is about giving patients more control and making care easier to navigate. It’s a positive step that will help people feel informed about their treatment. There’s more to come.”  

More than 1,000 patients signed up during launch week, including Paul Mills, 55, from Warrington, who was supported by Oladipo Oni, one of our digital trainers.  

Paul said: “I think MyChristie is really useful and it’s important that everyone knows more about it. It can be easy to lose focus when you’re a patient, so having someone to show you how to use the portal is really very helpful. I’ve completed my questionnaire already and I know it will be helpful going forward to keep appointments and my health history in one place.” 

Oladipo added: “Patients will sometimes miss letters, so it’s helpful to have practical updates and appointments in one place. People told me it was good to be able to add dates to their personal calendars.” 

This is just the start. MyChristie is in its first phase, with more features planned in the months ahead. These include access to blood results, CT and MRI appointments, and integration with the NHS App.  

The launch has been supported by digital trainers in outpatient areas, along with help desks and information leaflets to guide patients through the sign-up process. Patients also receive invitations to sign up to the portal via text message. 

Sign up in 3 easy steps 

  1. Go to our MyChristie webpage
  2. To register, you’ll need your name, date of birth, postcode, email and mobile number. Please make sure these details are up to date with your care team.
  3. Once registered, you can log in securely with a password and a code sent to your email or phone. 

Future Christie is about making life easier for patients and staff by reducing delays, improving communication and giving patients more control. MyChristie is the first step in this journey. 

Why sign up? 

  • Access your health information on your smartphone, tablet or computer
  • Get instant updates on booked appointments and clinical letters following appointments
  • Tell your care team about your symptoms and how you're feeling using online questionnaires

Martha’s Rule

The Christie has recently introduced Martha’s Rule, a new patient safety initiative that gives patients and families a clear way to raise urgent concerns if they feel someone’s condition is getting worse while staying on one of our inpatient wards. 

The initiative is being rolled out across the NHS, and The Christie was among the first hospitals to pilot the initiative.   

Martha’s Rule is named after 13-year-old Martha Mills, whose sepsis symptoms were not recognised by medical staff in time to save her life in 2023. Her parents, Merope Mills and Paul Laity, have since campaigned for these important changes in the NHS.   

The aim is simple – to make sure health concerns are acted on quickly, and that patients and families always feel listened to.  

We caught up with oncology nurse and Martha’s Rule project manager Gabi Cohen, who led on the implementation at The Christie. 

Gabi said: “Martha’s Rule is about making sure concerns are acted on quickly. It’s a simple way for patients or relatives to raise a concern if they feel it hasn’t been fully picked up on the ward.”  

She explained that the process is designed to build on existing communication – “if you’re staying in hospital and you feel your health, or the health of your relative, is getting worse, you should first speak to your ward team and your consultant’s team. If you still don’t feel your concerns are being acted on, you can raise a Martha’s Rule call by phoning switchboard. This will allow our specialist team to review the patient promptly.”  

The Christie was chosen as one of the first pilot sites because of its strong 24-hour critical care outreach team. “We have a really well-established outreach team here, and that’s what made us eligible to be part of the national pilot. We’ve also had support from colleagues across Greater Manchester to share ideas and make sure we’re introducing it in the best way for our patients,” Gabi said.  

She added that the initiative should be seen as an added safeguard: “We already have good systems in place for escalating concerns. Martha’s Rule is that extra layer. It gives patients and families more reassurance that their voices will always be heard.” 

For Gabi, leading the work has been a rewarding experience. “I’ve really enjoyed it because it’s allowed me to work with teams across the hospital that I might not normally link up with. Most of all, it feels positive to know this could make a real difference to inpatients and their families.”  

Martha’s Rule is now live at The Christie and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Patients and families who need to use it can ask the ward for details or call switchboard directly on 0161 446 3000. 

All the information about Martha’s Rule here at The Christie is available on our Martha’s Rule: detecting deterioration page.

Building to see cancer more clearly

In order to be able to diagnose and treat cancer effectively, it is vital our experts at The Christie have access to the latest scanning and pathology facilities, so they can see the full impact of a patient’s disease and plan how best it can be treated. 

To make the most of huge improvements in technology in recent years and an increasing demand in activity, we now need to improve both our current pathology and scanning facilities, many of which were built in the 1980s or even earlier and will not support future demand and technological advances. 

We will therefore soon be starting an ambitious programme to construct two new buildings on Wilmslow Road to make this happen. These impressive new facilities will replace some of the oldest parts of our hospital as well as the temporary structures we have been using in recent years. 

The first to be built will be our new Christie Pathology Partnership Building aiming for completion early 2027. The Christie Charity is funding this project. The construction will be managed by Northern Pathology Developments Limited which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Christie Charity. This allows The Charity to continue its vital support of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, providing funding for enhanced treatment and care beyond what the NHS funds. 

This will then enable us to demolish part of the hospital and begin work to build The Christie Scanning Centre and will open in 2029. 

These new facilities will be a major step forward in the care we can provide, allowing us all to benefit from the latest technologies as they are developed,  

helping us diagnose and treat a patient’s cancer as accurately and efficiently as possible. 

These 3 projects are among the most ambitious we’ve ever embarked on at The Christie but will inevitably mean a period of significant disruption for our patients, staff and neighbours. 

There will be a complex series of departmental moves within the hospital site, which are being carefully planned to ensure clinical services are at the heart of the hospital and meet the needs of our patients and staff who deliver them. As ever with our building projects, we will do our utmost to keep this disruption to a minimum and keep those affected informed and involved every step of the way. 

At a time when the NHS is under significant financial pressures, we are very fortunate to have the support of The Christie Charity which will be launching a significant fundraising appeal to part fund this project.  

We thank all our staff, patients and neighbours for their patience and support during this ambitious project for The Christie which will future proof many of the services we are able to provide, in turn helping us give our patients the very best and latest care. 

Staff stories

Oladipo Oni 

Oladipo Oni is a digital trainer at The Christie. He joined the Trust in May 2024 and is part of the team helping colleagues build confidence with digital tools.  

Oladipo’s journey into digital skills began far from Manchester, at a bootcamp in Nigeria where he was part of a community non-profit organisation that trained more than 3,000 young people in essential digital tools. “Seeing how technology could empower people to take charge of their futures inspired me, and I have not looked back since,” he said.  

At The Christie, Oladipo supports staff through group training and one-to-one sessions that focus on how best to use our clinical and non-clinical systems. By helping colleagues get the most out of the technology they use every day, the digital training team make sure staff can work efficiently and safely, ultimately benefiting patient care.

Oladipo runs regular sessions on Microsoft 365 and other platforms, answering questions and tailoring support to specific needs. Oladipo was also one of the digital trainers who supported patients during the launch of MyChristie, helping people sign up to the portal and access their information securely. 

What drives him most is seeing people grow in confidence. “It is amazing to see someone go from hesitant to self-assured, applying digital skills that make their work easier and taking on new responsibilities that support their career development,” he said. “Every time I see that transformation, it reminds me why I love what I do.” 

“For me, digital training is not just about teaching tools. It is about giving people the confidence to use them to make a difference.” 

Patient stories

Jo Kelly: Gold for Jo at the World Transplant Games

Former Christie patient Jo Kelly is celebrating an impressive medal haul, with 2 golds and a silver won at the World Transplant Games in Dresden this summer. 

13 years after receiving a lifesaving stem cell transplant at The Christie, Jo is also now celebrating becoming a world champion in cycling. 

Back in 2012, Jo, then 27, was facing the most brutal battle of her life. Diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma, she needed a stem cell transplant to survive. That procedure, carried out at The Christie, gave her a vital second chance in life and a gold medal-winning opportunity 13 years later. 

Jo, now a 40-year-old data engineer and mum of two from Solihull, is thrilled with her extraordinary set of results. As well as claiming world champion status in the cycling time trial, she struck gold in the triathlon relay and secured silver in the road race at the World Transplant Games. 

“It’s beyond what I ever imagined,” Jo says. “Becoming world champion feels amazing, but none of this would have been possible without the transplant and the team at The Christie. They gave me my life back.”

The Games also brought an emotional personal moment. During the opening ceremony, Jo reunited with her stem cell donor, Stefan Berens from Germany. The 2 first met in 2019, years after Stefan’s donation had saved her life. Meeting again in his home country was profoundly moving for Jo. “To have Stefan there, cheering me on, was unforgettable,” she says. 

Jo’s sporting journey began as part of her recovery. What started as a way to rebuild her strength and fitness has grown into an international career as one of Britain’s most successful transplant athletes. Along the way, she has raised more than £12,000 for charity through endurance cycling and has become a passionate advocate for stem cell donation, regularly speaking for Anthony Nolan. 

The triathlon relay gold was the highlight of the Dresden games. Alongside fellow British athletes Claire Butler and Lindsey Blackburn, Jo raced to victory, demonstrating not only athletic excellence but also the powerful bond formed between three women whose lives were saved by stem cell transplants. “When we crossed the line together, I felt so proud. It wasn’t just about the medal, it was about what we represent,” she reflects. 

For Jo, every medal is a reminder of what transplantation makes possible. 

Jo’s consultant at The Christie, Professor Adrian Bloor, commented: “I’m thrilled for Jo and her success at the games. What she has achieved is truly inspirational. 

“I am proud that through stem cell transplantation, we’ve been able to give Jo this fantastic opportunity in life. Her journey from patient to world champion shows the extraordinary things that can happen following a successful stem cell transplant and through determination to succeed.” 

Do you have a story to share? We’d love to hear from you, please get in touch with our team at the-christie.press.office@nhs.net

You Made A Difference awards

At The Christie, we’re proud to celebrate the incredible contributions of our staff and volunteers through our You Made a Difference Awards. Here are our recent winners.

Congratulations to all our winners for their exceptional work and the positive impact they continue to have on The Christie community. Please visit our for You Made a Difference Awards page for more details and nominations. 

Around the Trust

Bloods Closer to Home service in Wigan reaches key milestone

The Christie’s Bloods Closer to Home service brings routine blood testing closer to where patients live. 

The most recent centre to join the network, in early 2025, was Wigan’s Thomas Linacre Centre. In late summer, the centre had reached a key milestone, having completed more than 1,000 blood tests for patients. 

Along with Wigan, there are 11 other centres across Greater Manchester and Cheshire providing the Bloods Closer to Home service. 

The network aims to make it easier for patients to get the essential blood tests they need before their treatment can continue safely. Having services close to home for patients also reduces travel costs, saves patients’ time, and benefits the environment by helping to cut carbon dioxide emissions. 

Joanne Roberts, Lead Nurse for Outpatient and Phlebotomy Services, says: “By bringing essential services like blood testing closer to home, we aim to reduce the burden on patients during what is already a challenging time.” 

Blood samples can be taken intravenously, or the staff can access patient ports and lines for blood samples. These are then sent back to The Christie for fast, reliable testing. 

The service is funded through donations made to The Christie Charity. 

Driving towards greener cancer care

The Christie at Home service has introduced a fully electric fleet of 7 MG4 hatchback cars for nurses delivering cancer treatments in patients’ homes. The new vehicles replace petrol-powered models and cover more than 85,000 miles a year.  

One of those nurses, Sarah Richardson said: “The new electric vehicles are quiet, comfortable and reliable - they suit our work perfectly. Most importantly, they show our patients and the wider community that we care about their health in every sense - including the environment they live in.”  

Switching from petrol to electric will save over 14 tonnes of CO₂ per year and more than £20,000 annually on vehicle costs. Initiatives like this help to support the NHS net-zero ambition.  

Last year alone, our team of 16 dedicated nurses carried out over 8,544 home-based treatments. 

New national uniforms introduced

This year The Christie has introduced the NHS national healthcare uniform. The colours and designs were agreed nationally by NHS England, NHS Supply Chain and professional healthcare bodies. 

The new uniform makes it easier for patients, visitors and colleagues to recognise different roles across the Trust and brings greater consistency across the NHS. Made from long-lasting, sustainable materials, the design reduces waste and can save the NHS up to 30% on ordering costs. 

Narinder Saini, Deputy Chief Nurse, said: “These uniforms are about making things as clear as possible for our patients and their families. It’s a positive change that will help people feel reassured about who is caring for them, while also giving staff a sense of unity as part of one NHS team.” 

You can find more details of the colours for each role on our uniform page.

Our pride and joy

Colleagues from our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) network organised a party in the hospital garden over the summer to celebrate Pride Month.

The garden party followed a series of activities, which included LGBT+ colleagues and allies sharing blog posts about what Pride means to them. Some of our colleagues also took part in the Manchester Pride parade, walking with staff from other NHS trusts across the region. We are proud to be a hospital with a diverse workforce supporting a diverse community here in the North West.

Tom represents The Christie on the TEDxNHS stage

Tom Reading, Clinical Lead Physiotherapist in Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Care, represented The Christie at TEDxNHS 2025 in London on Saturday 26 September.  

Tom’s talk, “Physiotherapy Saves Futures – Make Movement Standard in Cancer Care”, highlighted why physiotherapy should be embedded as a standard part of oncology and palliative care, not seen as an optional extra.  

Reflecting on the experience, Tom said: “It was humbling, inspiring and thought-provoking. Preparing for the talk gave me the chance to reflect not only on my own practice, but also on the wider value of physiotherapy in oncology and palliative care, particularly for teenagers and young adults.”  

He added: “Physiotherapy shouldn’t be an exception, it should be the expectation.” 

TEDxNHS gave Tom a national platform to share this message and showcase the resilience of young people living with cancer. His talk is available to watch back on the TEDxNHS 2025 livestream. 

A new face in a new role as we appoint our first trainee integrative therapist

Patients and staff may have already spotted a new member of the complementary health and wellbeing team at The Christie. 

Anthony Preston, 48, from Stockport, has taken on a unique new role, not only a first for The Christie, but believed to be the first of its kind anywhere in the world.  

Anthony is the first trainee integrative therapist to be employed at The Christie. Over the next 12 months, he’ll be learning and delivering a range of therapies that support patients alongside their clinical treatment. These include reflexology, aromatherapy, massage, hypnotherapy, acupuncture/acupressure, therapeutic touch, and creative visualisation. 

The therapies can be particularly beneficial for patients experiencing anxiety, pain, needle phobias, claustrophobia, or stress linked to treatment/procedures. “Seeing patients at their lowest point and being able to offer a treatment or comfort is rewarding,” Anthony says. “To help a patient relax and take away some pain or anxiety, even briefly, is a privilege.” 

Anthony's path into the role began with his interest in health and sport. "I'm a keen runner and cyclist," he said. "I did a massage diploma a few years ago, just out of interest, and never imagined it would lead to this."  

He also brings extensive NHS experience from various clinical settings. 

Anthony describes his first months in the role as positive and inspiring. “The team has been fantastic and welcoming. The Christie is a friendly place to work, and you can see how committed staff are to supporting patients and their families.”  

Innovative recruitment

Interest in the post was high. Over 50 people applied, with 16 shortlisted for a special recruitment event where applicants gave presentations and spent time with the integrative therapy team.  

“It was evident Anthony had lots of transferable skills. His passion really came across,” said Eileen Hackman, Clinical Lead for Integrative Therapy and Anthony’s manager. “The feedback so far has been extremely positive.” 

The post was created to address reduced entry routes into the profession. Fewer colleges now offer complementary therapy training, leaving many applicants without oncology experience for hospital roles. At the same time, new NHS rules limit volunteers’ access to patient records, restricting their ability to assess and document treatments safely. 

Eileen led the trainee model project. “Working with oncology patients requires specialist knowledge,” she says. “We needed a way to bring new people into the team and ensure the future of this important service.” 

Anthony hopes the role will develop and open the door for others. “I feel privileged to be the first of hopefully many coming into the role,” he said. 

Eileen shares that hope. “Having therapists who can quickly apply what they’re learning helps ensure patients receive safe, effective care,” she said. “The trainee therapist project is something I’ve dreamed of for some time. It’s amazing to see it come to fruition.” 

Under the microscope – Smoking cessation service

We spoke to Charlotte Finchett, Health Improvement Manager about how The Christie’s smoking cessation and alcohol advice service is helping patients, carers and staff make positive changes. 

Can you tell us briefly what the smoking cessation and alcohol advice service offers?

We provide specialist support for patients, carers and staff to stop smoking or reduce their alcohol intake. Our focus is on building resilience, reducing anxiety and promoting healthier lifestyle choices, especially during and after cancer treatment. The aim is to improve clinical outcomes while prioritising patient safety, experience and long-term recovery. 

Why is it important for patients to stop smoking or reduce alcohol during cancer treatment?

There are significant benefits. Quitting smoking and reducing alcohol can improve wound healing, reduce the risk of infections, enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and lessen side effects like nausea. It also leads to better recovery and survival outcomes. Continuing to smoke or misuse alcohol can delay surgery, affect consent for your procedure or operation, and reduce the effectiveness of anaesthetics. 

How can someone access the service?

Our service is open to everyone – patients, carers and staff. Cancer affects more than just the person diagnosed, so we offer support to all who need it. Patients can self-refer, or clinical staff can refer via the intranet or internet under “smoking cessation” or by selecting alcohol or drug support. Staff are also welcome to use the service themselves. 

Have there been any recent developments or changes in the service?

Yes. We’ve streamlined the process so nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can now be provided directly in outpatient clinics, removing postal delays and giving timely support for patients preparing for treatment. We’ve also rolled out added staff training to boost confidence in providing NRT during appointments. Commissioners have also funded seven RADAR beds (located on a specialist inpatient unit) for patients needing inpatient alcohol detox – the first time this has been integrated into a cancer care setting. 

Why is it important to combine NRT with behavioural support?

Research shows that using NRT alongside behavioural support significantly increases the chances of quitting successfully. By offering immediate access to both during outpatient appointments, we give patients the best chance to take control of their health and treatment outcomes. 

Do you have a recent success story you can share?

One patient was struggling with their smoking before treatment started. Getting support from us quickly meant they could go ahead with the surgery that saved their life. Stories like this show how prompt support can make a real difference to a patient’s journey and outcomes. 

What added support is available?

We work closely with the Chapman Barker Unit in Prestwich, a 36-bed inpatient detox centre specialising in complex alcohol and drug dependency. This ensures a seamless transition from detox to recovery. Thanks to colleagues in pharmacy, NRT can also be offered during outpatient and pre-operative clinics, which has inspired interest in other clinics to adopt similar approaches. Looking ahead, research is under way to evaluate the impact of this initiative, with feedback from staff and patients. 

What do you find most rewarding about your role?

Helping people feel empowered to make positive changes during such a challenging time is incredibly rewarding. Seeing their health improve and hearing them talk about how their lives have changed in ways they never imagined is what makes this work so meaningful. I love helping people change when they think it’s impossible. Being an ex-smoker myself, I’m addicted to my job now. 

How to access the service

The smoking cessation and alcohol advice service is available to all Christie patients, carers and staff. The team is based in the Oak Road area of The Christie (department 3), next to the wig room.  

You can self-refer, or a clinician can make a referral on your behalf.  

For more information, or to speak directly to a health advisor, call 0161 956 1215, 07392 278408 or 07483 278408 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm). 

Charity corner

Together we can change the way we see cancer: Help us bring a life-changing Total Body PET-CT scanner to The Christie

Scanning is one of the most important aspects of cancer treatment. It can mean the difference between life and death. 

Here at The Christie, we want to offer patients the most advanced scanning experience with the highest quality images. To do this we need to purchase one of the most innovative scanners in the world - a Total Body Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography scanner (Total Body PET-CT). 

This new scanner offers a range of benefits: 

  • Can detect disease earlier 
  • Scans the entire body quickly and in one go 
  • Highest quality images in as little as five minutes – currently this can take up to half an hour 
  • Faster and more precise and personalised treatment plans 
  • Less exposure to radiation 
  • Safer for pregnant women, babies and people with other vulnerabilities. 
  • Allows us to see more patients 
  • Gives researchers new insights into cancer and increases the number of scans for research at The Christie from 300 to at least 1,000 a year. 

But we can’t provide this new technology without your help. 

Right now, the nearest Total Body PET-CT scanners are in London and Edinburgh, over 200 miles away. The Christie Charity has pledged £7m towards the cost to bring one to Manchester. 

The Total Body PET-CT scanner would help researchers understand how cancer in one organ has an impact across the body. They could then share their findings nationally to develop kinder treatments and improve treatment outcomes for patients like John McGartland. 

John was diagnosed with cancer in his oesophagus, stomach, adrenal gland and lymph nodes in 2019. He’s now in remission but returns to The Christie every four months to have a scan. 

He says: “If it wasn’t for the wonderful, compassionate, dedicated staff at The Christie – the amazing researchers, the drugs, the surgeons – I might not be here today. The advancements in treatments and technology are amazing but are only possible if resources are made available so that others like me are given hope and a chance to get their life back.” 

For more information about the appeal, visit our Withington or Macclesfield Charity centres, or go to the Total Body PET-CT scanner page on our Charity website.

Welcome

A word from the executive editor

Hello and welcome to the third edition of We are The Christie. We’re happy to hear that people are enjoying the magazine. With each new issue, it really feels like we’re getting into the flow of telling the stories that make our Trust so special. 

This summer edition, quite fittingly, features a look at our beautiful garden space and the sanctuary it offers, as well as stories from across the Trust that focus on our staff, our patients and our volunteers. This wide focus is a reminder that care happens not just on the clinics and wards, but in the quieter spaces too – in the everyday moments of kindness and support that occur across the Trust. 

I’ve worked at The Christie for 17 years and it continues to fill me with pride every day. The outstanding care we deliver is only possible because of the environment we’ve built together. One where staff feel supported to be their best. That’s why one of the real highlights for me over the past year has been our staff survey results, which are the best I’ve seen during my time here.  

At The Christie, everyone’s voice matters, and we hope the diverse and unique stories in this magazine help to reflect that. 

Thanks for your continued support, 

Eve Lightfoot
Director of Workforce 

Contents

News in brief

Christie research featured at global cancer conference

Researchers from Manchester played a key role at this year’s American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in Chicago, the world’s largest cancer conference. Around 30 pieces of research involving Christie experts were presented at the event, which brings together leading voices from across global cancer care.

Among the highlights, Dr Sacha Howell chaired a session on prevention and genetics. He also discussed the BCAN-RAY study - a major investigation into breast cancer risk in younger women without a family history - with the media. Final-year medical student, Jack Atherton, presented research on socio-demographic factors affecting clinical trial participation in the UK, while Professor Martin McCabe shared the latest results from the rEECur trial into treatment for Ewing sarcoma.

Professor Joe Rafferty appointed Chair of The Christie

Professor Joe Rafferty has been appointed as our new Chair at The Christie. Joe officially took up the role on 1 May 2025 – succeeding Edward Astle – who announced earlier this year that he would be stepping down for personal reasons.

Joe brings over 2 decades of NHS leadership experience, including most recently 12 years as the Chief Executive of Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust. His career has spanned roles in performance, commissioning, and strategy, as well as leading national initiatives such as the Zero Suicide Alliance UK and the NIHR Mental Health Mission.

Joe began his career as a researcher, which included working at the former Paterson Institute, before making the move into NHS management.

UK first in proton beam therapy

David Iddiols, 70, became the first UK patient with a pacemaker to receive proton beam therapy – a type of radiotherapy - thanks to a new cardiac device service at The Christie.

Diagnosed with a rare skull chordoma, David was initially turned down for NHS proton beam therapy due to the risks the treatment posed to the operation of his pacemaker. He began considering paying for treatment abroad.

With the launch of the cardiac device service in 2023, The Christie was able to treat David. “The team at The Christie were first class,” said David. “I felt safe with them.”

The new service enables patients with cardiac devices to safely undergo cancer treatments and diagnosis at The Christie, including radiotherapy, surgery, and MRI scans. Over 180 patients have already benefited.

Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence status awarded again

The joint neuro-oncology service delivered by The Christie and Salford Royal Hospital, has been named a Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence for the second time for the outstanding care we provide for brain and spinal tumour patients.

The service was praised for its compassionate patient-centred philosophy, innovative rehabilitation approach, and strong research links. “At the toughest time of my life, the care I received was second to none,” said patient Sarah Scanlan.

The designation reflects The Christie’s leadership in cutting-edge treatments and innovations including access to clinical trials and proton beam therapy, a type of radiotherapy.

The service is supported by a multidisciplinary team providing holistic, integrated care, with surgery at Salford and radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy at The Christie.

This status reinforces our national reputation and reassures patients and families that they receive the highest standards of care.

Corinne Faivre-Finn receives prestigious ESTRO award

Congratulations to Professor Corinne Faivre-Finn, Consultant Oncologist, who received the prestigious Breur Award at this year’s European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) Congress in Vienna.

The Breur Award is ESTRO’s gold medal and highest honour, recognising Corinne’s outstanding contribution to the advancement of radiotherapy in Europe.

“This award is deeply personal. It represents a journey that has been anything but linear – full of challenges and perseverance, but ultimately incredibly rewarding,” she says.

Feature story - A garden of healing

At the heart of The Christie lies a garden unlike any other – a living, breathing sanctuary shaped not just by soil and sunlight but by compassion, creativity, and care.  

For over 5 years, gardener Phill Walker has cultivated more than just plants; he’s nurtured a green space that offers comfort, space for reflection, and hope to patients, staff, and visitors alike. 

Phill’s approach to the garden was inspired by a patient who once told him, “There’s no rhyme or rhythm in life”. So, Phill designed the garden to reflect the unpredictability of the human experience. “That conversation changed everything,” he says. “It made me think differently about what the garden in a cancer centre should be.” 

Rather than following rigid landscaping rules, Phill embraced a philosophy of rhythm and disruption, mirroring life’s twists and turns. The result is a garden that feels alive with meaning. Structured beds sit beside wildflower bursts, creating a visual metaphor for the balance between order and chaos. 

But this garden is not just about aesthetics. It’s a therapeutic space designed to support emotional wellbeing. "Whether it’s a 10-minute stroll, a glance through the corridor window, or a peaceful moment seated among the blooms, the garden is there to offer a space for hope and reflection,” Phill explains. “It’s a space where nature gently intervenes.” 

The garden is open every day of the year, offering constant access to anyone who needs it. Seating areas are arranged to provide privacy while remaining visible from hospital windows, ensuring safety and comfort. Phill designs with aerial perspectives in mind, ensuring the garden’s beauty can be appreciated by patients in the wards above. 

Sustainability is front and centre. The estate is pesticide-free, which encourages birds, bees, and butterflies. Rainwater drains naturally through permeable paving, and most plants are watered just once a week thanks to reservoir systems. Beds are cultivated by hand, reinforcing a connection to the land. 

Phill also draws inspiration from the people he meets. One patient described her experience at The Christie as “being wrapped in a warm blanket.” That image led to a planting scheme with a holly bush surrounded by the hug of the yew. 

The garden’s impact is deeply felt. “It’s an oasis of calm after what can be a stressful journey,” says patient Joan Fjelle. “The colourful variety of flowers and plants make me feel more relaxed and more ready to face my appointment.” 

“It’s more than just a garden, it’s a real sanctuary,” shares patient Michelle Sheridan. “It gave me a place to gather my thoughts, breathe, and feel a bit of calm.” 

“I’m grateful to Phill for creating such a special place for us," says Leah Hutchison-Saxon, a staff member and patient. “It’s so calming and peaceful. I love smelling the flowers and listening to the birds.” 

Breast cancer nurse, Katie Waller, recalls how a woman who was coming to the end of her life "adored the garden as it lifted her spirits.” 

The garden is a vital part of the healing journey for many at The Christie. Through thoughtful design and heartfelt intention, it reminds everyone who sees it that even in the most challenging moments, beauty and peace can still bloom. 

We asked our patients, visitors and colleagues to share their reflections on the garden and were overwhelmed by the responses. Thank you to everyone who took the time pass on their lovely words.

Katie Waller

I’m a nurse in the breast cancer team and looked after an amazing woman who chose to spend her last weeks of life with us here at The Christie. She adored the garden as it lifted her spirits. I loved taking her down, having a coffee and listening to her many anecdotes. 

Joan Fjelle

It’s an oasis of calm after what can be a stressful journey and the anxiety of test results to come. The colourful variety of flowers and plants make me feel more relaxed and more ready to face my appointment. My spirits are lifted, and I feel more hopeful.  

Michelle Sheridan

I’ve spent time in the garden while waiting for my own appointments and when my late dad was in for treatment. It’s such a peaceful, comforting space and really helped me through some difficult moments. It gave me a place to gather my thoughts, breathe, and feel a bit of calm. It’s more than just a garden – it’s a real sanctuary and I’m so grateful it’s there.  

Leah Hutchison-Saxon

I work as a theatre practitioner at The Christie and am also a patient. The garden is there for me when I need a quiet moment on my break or when I’m waiting for my appointment. It’s so calming and peaceful; I love smelling the flowers and listening to the birds. I’m grateful to Phill the gardener for creating such a special place for us. 

Adele Sharp

We don’t use the garden now, but it’s a very special place to us. Before my mum Denise passed away, she spent an afternoon there with my son Finn, her grandson, who was 3 at the time. I’ll treasure the pictures I took forever and know Finn will too. 

Vikki Anson

Whenever I have felt sad or worried about my cancer diagnosis, going into the garden is instantly calming. Looking at the range of plants and pollinators visiting them takes me ‘out of my head’ and into the present moment. This has been very grounding and important to me when I have been worrying about the future. Thank you to everyone who works hard to look after the garden as it always looks stunning. 

Kathy Morse

I had surgery, chemo and radiotherapy during lockdown and whether it was raining or not, I’d go and spend time in the garden. I donated money to plant new trees as a way of giving back to the place and people that saved my life. 

Lynda Middleman

I’m now in my 10th month of being a patient at The Christie and the garden is incredibly important, its therapeutic value can’t be measured. 

Staff stories

Patient stories

Dean Heinekey

35-year-old Dean Heinekey, who lives in Heald Green with his wife Carly and their 11-year-old daughter Florence, was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer that had spread to his liver last August.   

Dean was referred to The Christie, where he was told that although he could have treatment to extend his life, he wouldn’t be cured.   

“My treatment is working well for now and that’s what I’m focusing on. I got married to my wife and am enjoying spending time with my family and doing things I love. We’ve also been on a family holiday to Spain which was fantastic.”  

“I decided very early on to be positive about it, and that’s made a massive difference. I’m sharing my story so other people like me can see it’s possible to live well with cancer, even when it’s not curable.”

Do you have a story to share? We’d love to hear from you, please get in touch with our team at the-christie.press.office@nhs.net

Under the microscope/did you know? – VR therapy

How virtual reality helped Nathan face his cancer treatment 

Before arriving at The Christie, 7-year-old Nathan from County Clare in Ireland had already been through a lot of gruelling cancer treatment.

Diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma – a rare type of bone cancer – he’d had 14 rounds of chemotherapy and a big operation to remove a watermelon-sized tumour from his ribs.

By the time he got to Manchester for proton beam therapy – a type of radiotherapy – he was physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted.

“He was still dealing with the side-effects of chemo and everything else he’d been through, and it was just too much for him. He’d had enough of hospitals and being poked and prodded,” says Gráinne, his mum.

“He got really upset about going in for treatment, which was distressing for both him and us as a family. He had to have 25 treatments over 5 weeks, and there was a point where we were wondering how we were going to get through it as he was that distraught.”

It was at this point that Penelope Hart-Spencer, one of the health play specialists, suggested that Nathan might benefit from virtual reality (VR) distraction therapy.

In simple terms, this involved him putting on a headset and being immersed in another world via a 360° video. Patients can choose where they want to ‘go’ using VR, with options including the dinosaurs, under the sea and outer space. As soon as they put it on, they’re transported from a hospital setting to somewhere new and exciting.

The team have been trialling VR distraction therapy since 2024. The headset they use is classed as a grade one medical device and can be used with children between the ages of six and 16.

Although they’re using it with kids who are having things like blood tests done or a cannula put in, the biggest positive impact has been on patients like Nathan who have used it during treatment.

“Once he started using the VR, he scooted down the corridor to treatment, which is just amazing. He was obsessed with the ‘outer space’ video and told everyone he met about the planets and stars he’s learnt about. He started to associate his treatment with a trip to space, and it’s turned something that was frightening for him into something far more positive,” his mum adds.

Nathan finished his treatment with no further hiccups and is now back home in Ireland.

Of the VR, he said: “I liked it a lot. My favourite ones were outer space and underwater because you get to travel around and learn a lot about different things.”

The data that the team are collecting reflects Nathan’s positive experience. Before having treatment, the child chooses from a sliding scale of face emojis, each associated with a word describing how they feel. The first face on the scale represents ‘happy,’ with the last representing ‘scared.’ They then ask again after the procedure and use of the headset and compare the difference.

So far, they have seen a 52% reduction in anxiety for those using the headset.

“The headset has really been a gamechanger for the children who use it,” says Penelope. “Using VR has meant that in some cases patients have been able to have treatment without a general anaesthetic, which is brilliant. We initially introduced it as a pilot for two years, but it’s been so successful that we know we want to keep using it permanently.”

Penelope has been sharing the results of the trial with other health professionals across the NHS and recently presented the VR project at The European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology conference in Vienna.

“You could use VR in other areas of cancer care, not just paediatric oncology. I’m keen to get out there and share our findings and the results we’re seeing because it’s got the potential to help so many people,” she says.

You Made A Difference awards

At The Christie, we’re proud to celebrate the incredible contributions of our staff and volunteers through our You Made a Difference Awards. Here are our recent winners.

Around the Trust

Celebrating our young learners

We recently had an awards ceremony for the teenagers and young adults who completed courses during their time at The Christie.

These courses, offered through AQA (one of the UK’s largest exam boards), cover a wide range of topics – from maths and science to CV writing and interview prep.

This is all part of our pilot education and employment programme, specifically designed to support young people with cancer, both during and after treatment.

The Christie was the first AQA-accredited hospital in the country, and since the programme began in late 2022, patients have completed over 360 modules.

A huge congratulations to our class of 2025!

Christie haematology expertise comes to Leighton

Patients in Cheshire who use the haematology service at Leighton Hospital can now access expert Christie care.  

From April 2025, The Christie took on responsibility for running the service for patients with malignant and non-malignant haematological conditions. 

Patients will continue to receive routine treatment locally, supported by familiar faces, including lead clinician Dr Georgina Talbot. The service offers outpatient clinics, chemotherapy through the Macmillan Unit, and day-case procedures, such as blood transfusions. 

Plans to enhance the service include reducing waiting times and increasing access to clinical trials. 

Dr Faye Sharpley, Clinical Director at The Christie, said: “Leighton joins Tameside and The Christie at Macclesfield as the third Christie-led local haematology centre. This network allows us to share expertise and learning, makes the best use of NHS resources and, most importantly, improves clinical outcomes for patients.” 

The service expects to support approximately 1,100 newly diagnosed patients, 10,000 follow-up appointments, and 1,800 outpatient anti-cancer therapy treatments annually.  

15 years of The Christie at Oldham

We recently celebrated the 15th anniversary of first local radiotherapy centre, The Christie at Oldham.   

In total, the 38-strong team has delivered over 230,000 treatments since the centre opened in 2010.  

We’ve recently introduced a bi-monthly art class that is funded by our charity.  

Michelle Hardiman from Rochdale was treated at Oldham and takes part in the art classes: 

“My treatment left me feeling tired, so being able to have my treatment close to home makes a big difference,” she says. “Taking part in the classes gives me the opportunity to have a laugh and put it all to one side for a bit. You can’t underestimate how important that is.” 

Cheadle Mosque scouts bring Eid joy to young patients

To mark Eid ul-Fitr, leaders from the Cheadle Mosque scouts team visited the proton beam therapy centre to deliver gifts to children and young people receiving treatment. 

The visit followed a period of fundraising during Ramadan, with scouts selecting thoughtful presents to mark the end of the holy month and share the spirit of Eid. 

“We were so happy to visit the innovative proton beam centre and share the joy of Eid with the children,” said Madeeha Waheed from Cheadle Mosque. “Thank you to The Christie for their hospitality and for allowing us at Cheadle Masjid to spread the message of community, unity and giving.” 

In attendance from Cheadle Mosque were Madeeha Waheed, Mobina Al Imam and Sadaf Hassan, alongside The Christie’s Maria Majeed and Adam George. 

Eid was also celebrated in our staff canteen with a special ‘breaking the fast’ festival menu, featuring dishes including chicken majboos, shawarma, dum aloo and the traditional dessert gulab jamun. 

Charity corner

Why volunteering for our Charity makes a real difference 

Volunteering is one of the most rewarding ways to give back – and at The Christie Charity, it’s also a way to be part of something bigger. Our volunteers play a vital role in helping us improve the lives of patients, support fundraising efforts, and contribute to life-changing and life-saving projects. 

From cheering on runners at sporting events and helping with collections, to providing admin support or welcoming visitors in our charity centres, volunteers are integral to everything we do. Their time, energy and enthusiasm make a genuine difference – and we simply couldn’t do what we do without them. 

These dedicated and caring volunteers do not undertake duties which might displace paid employees, but rather free up the time of paid staff. 

The power of giving your time 

Volunteering doesn’t just benefit the charity – it brings personal rewards too. It’s a great way to meet new people and feel part of a supportive community; gain new skills and build confidence while supporting a cause close to your heart. 

We’re committed to ensuring our volunteers feel supported and appreciated. Through regular reviews, thank-you events and recognition schemes, we aim to make every volunteer’s experience meaningful and enjoyable. 

A variety of roles to suit everyone 

There are many ways you can support The Christie Charity, whether you want to help out at a one-off event or get involved on a more regular basis. We meet with prospective volunteers for a chat to find the role that best suits their skills and interests, and then given training to support them in that position. 

Office volunteer, David Sivey, works one day a week for the donations teams at The Christie Charity and says: “Helping out at the Charity office has been a great use of my time while I've been looking for work after moving on from a period of self-employment. It is a friendly and welcoming place, and it is very local to me, so it is satisfying to know that my help is going towards improving care for people in the surrounding areas." 

Andrea Hunt volunteers in the Charity Centre in the hospital. "When my son Tom was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at just 18, our world was turned upside down. But The Christie gave us hope and ultimately saved his life. 

“As Tom recovered, our family felt compelled to give something back – first through fundraising and now through volunteering. I volunteer at The Christie Charity Centre every week because I feel such a strong connection to the place that supported us through the hardest time in our lives. It’s a small way of saying thank you." 

To find out more about volunteering opportunities at The Christie Charity, visit christies.org/volunteer or email: the-christie.fundraising@nhs.net 

There are also opportunities to volunteer with the Trust. Please email the-christie.volunteers@nhs.net for more details.  

For details on how to support The Christie Charity, visit one of the centres, call 0161 446 7506, or visit The Christie Charity website.

The Charity Centre (Withington site) is located near the Oak Road entrance of the hospital (department 3). Open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm.

The Macclesfield Charity Centre is located in the main waiting area at The Christie at Macclesfield. Open Tuesday to Thursday, 10am to 3.30pm.

Welcome

A word from the executive editor

Firstly, let me say "thank you" to everyone who picked up the launch issue and to those who gave us such lovely feedback. It has been so nice to walk through the canteen, or by the Oak Road seating area, and see people with a copy in hand enjoying our stories.

This second edition is equally packed with happenings from around the Trust. These include news on pioneering research, a look at some of our staff’s talents away from work, and a feature on our cover star and adorable new colleague – Lilo the therapy dog.

Hello, I’m pleased to welcome you to the second edition of our new staff and patient magazine, We are The Christie.

I started at The Christie in the chief nurse role in May last year. I am delighted to be part of such a special place and it’s easy to see why so many patients and their families hold it dear to their hearts.

As I approach my first-year anniversary, I continue to be amazed by the progress, dedication, and innovation on show. The past 12 months have been filled with many achievements, including some which we showcase here, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.

We look forward to celebrating these successes with you and sharing more inspiring stories in the issues to come. If you have any suggestions, please get in touch.

Thank you for reading.

Vicky Sharples
Chief Nurse and Executive Director of Quality

Contents

News in brief

A new type of cancer care doctor is born

The Christie has launched a pioneering training programme to develop a new type of supportive oncology doctor. Three fellows, including Dr Ahmed Aboelnaga, are joining the service, which aims to improve the quality of life for cancer patients living with complex treatment side effects.

“I am thrilled to be one of the first of a new type of cancer care doctor working to improve the quality of life for patients with complex needs,” says Dr Aboelnaga.

The supportive oncology service helps over 2,000 patients a year, offering holistic care like psychological support, pain management, and therapy for long-term cancer effects.

Dr Richard Berman explains, “The three doctors recruited already have an excellent understanding of the principles of supportive oncology and are passionate about its role in cancer care now and in the future.” When training is complete, they will spread best practice internationally, with new fellows taking their place at The Christie.

Pioneering research in radiotherapy for children

Researchers at The Christie and The University of Manchester are leading a study to reduce long-term side effects caused by radiation in children with brain tumours. While radiotherapy is effective, it can cause side effects like memory problems and hormonal issues. The team has identified a radiation-sensitive region in the brain linked to cognition and hormone production.

“We did not expect this frontal region to be as important as it is,” says Professor Marianne Aznar. “We thought it would be the hippocampus as it’s a well-defined structure that’s well known to be associated with memory, so to see that the grey matter at the front of the brain is so important was surprising.”

The team is working on a ‘brain atlas’ to guide treatment plans for radiotherapy and proton beam therapy.

Investments in latest skin cancer treatments

Patients with non-melanoma skin cancer are benefitting from a new £175,000 superficial treatment machine at The Christie. This low-energy radiotherapy is used to treat basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. It is delivered to around 130 patients annually across 550 treatment sessions.

Muriel Large, the first patient treated with the machine, was referred for post-operative radiotherapy after surgery for squamous cell carcinoma on her nose. She recently completed treatment with no immediate side effects.

“I cannot fault any of the staff who have cared for me,” said Muriel. “They have all been brilliant. My consultant, Dr Agata Rembielak, has been lovely, and the staff member who helped fit my treatment mask had a great bedside manner.”

The Xstrahl 150 X-ray system replaces an old machine, offering greater accuracy and adaptability. This is part of a £370,000 investment in our superficial treatment service.

‘United by Unique’ exhibition showcases patients’ artwork

Pat Mountford has been the artist-in-residence at The Christie for 21 years. She runs weekly drop-in art classes for staff and patients at our Withington site.

To mark World Cancer Day, Pat worked with the Manchester Cancer Research Centre to organise a free exhibition of 15 artworks by patients who attend the class. The ‘United by Unique’ collection is available online at mcrc.manchester.ac.uk/united-by-unique, and includes a group painting symbolising the supportive atmosphere of the art room.

“The magic that’s created in this room never fails to astound me, it’s a special place. Sharing the stories alongside the paintings is really important as spending time in the art room really makes a difference to patients’ wellbeing,” says Pat.

The art room is funded by The Christie Charity and can be found in department 12 on the main corridor of our Withington site.

Robotic surgery milestone reached

Our surgery team recently completed their 10th robotic adrenalectomy (removal of one or both of the adrenal glands) as a day case. Adrenalectomies are primarily carried out on people with adrenal tumours. Robotic surgery is keyhole surgery, meaning that patients have quicker recovery times, getting back to their daily lives sooner.

The Christie was one of the first hospitals in the country to perform robotic operations in 2008. We now carry out one of the highest volumes of robotic operations in the UK.

“Robotics has revolutionised minimally invasive surgery and is reflected in our ability to treat patients effectively. Our day case adrenalectomy programme is a true team effort from our theatre and endocrine team, the day case ward nurses, and our enhanced recovery team,” comments Mr Aziz Gulamhusein, consultant urological and robotic surgeon.

Feature story - Therapy dog comforts young patients

We’ve welcomed a very special four-legged colleague to the team here at The Christie.

Lilo, a black cocker spaniel, is a therapy dog. She’s been coming to the hospital every couple of weeks to visit children who are having proton beam therapy – a type of radiotherapy.

Being diagnosed with cancer can be just as tough mentally as it is physically. Spending time with Lilo helps with the children’s physical, mental, and emotional health, bringing comfort and a sense of normality to what can be a difficult time for them and their families.

Ellie-Mae, John and Zac's seal of approval

20-month-old Ellie-Mae Shirly had 33 daily sessions of proton beam therapy at The Christie. She met Lilo early on in her treatment journey.

“She was so excited when she saw Lilo,” says her dad, Adam. “She absolutely loves animals and spent a lot of time just petting her and playing with her. It gave her something to look forward to after treatment. My parents have a dog, so I think it’s helped her feel more comfortable coming in for treatment.”

Like Ellie-Mae, three-year-old Zac Keyworth has a dog in the family. For him, taking Lilo for a little walk was a type of physiotherapy, as brain surgery had left him unable to speak or move without a walker. He met Lilo and another therapy dog, Luna, with his sister Elodie.

“Both kids were so excited to meet her,” says their dad, Jake. “We took them to reception after Zac’s treatment and watched them arrive. Zac took Lilo for a walk, which really helped with his mobility. It was also good for Elodie, as her aunt has a dog, so I think it reminded her of home. It was great to see them having fun with the dog while also knowing that it was helping them both in different ways.”

John Lamb, aged 14, also really enjoyed meeting Lilo.

“I was at The Christie for six weeks having proton beam therapy for a rare tumour that started in my spine, and it was nice to chat about something that wasn’t my treatment. I told the people who brought Lilo in about my cats at home and they showed me how to feed her treats and get her to do tricks. It made things feel a bit more normal,” he says.

Part of a wider therapeutic approach

The visits have been organised by Thérèse Smith, one of our registered health play specialists, and funded by The Christie Charity. Thérèse and her colleagues use therapeutic play techniques to help children be as prepared as possible for their treatment.

“Lilo has gone down a treat with everyone, families and staff alike,” she says. “There’s always great excitement around the centre before she comes, and it’s so lovely to see the children interacting with her. Some of them can be quite anxious about treatment and she helps to take their minds off it for a while. A lot of them will also have pets at home, so her visits bring a sense of normality and helps to create a positive association with being at the centre.”

“Of course, these sessions are just one of the things we do to help make their time at The Christie as positive as possible. We have a model CT scanner and a replica proton gantry machine to educate children during our play preparation sessions. We’re with them right from their first consultation, supporting their overall well-being and advocating for them throughout their treatment. I am delighted that this project is making such an impact on patients’ wellbeing, and hopefully it will go from strength to strength,” she adds.

Spiritual care at The Christie: here to support you

At The Christie, we understand that cancer treatment can be challenging – not just physically, but emotionally too. Our spiritual care team offers a welcoming support service for patients, families, and staff, regardless of faith or belief.

The team is made up of chaplains from different religions, with access to a wider network of representatives from other faiths and non-religious backgrounds. Whether through prayer, spiritual guidance, or simply someone to talk to, the chaplaincy team provides advice and comfort with open arms to anyone who needs support.

The service operates from department 57 on the Withington site, where quiet spaces for reflection are available. The chapel and Muslim prayer room are open 24/7, while the multi-faith room is available from 8am to 4pm. Spiritual resources, including rosaries, prayer mats, scriptures, mindfulness literature, and access to the Shabbat kitchen, are also available on request.

Behnaz Farhadi (Church of England chaplain)

“As an honorary chaplain at The Christie, I feel truly privileged to offer spiritual and pastoral care to patients, families, and staff. Chaplaincy is about presence – offering a listening ear, a word of comfort, and quiet reassurance that no one journeys alone, whatever their beliefs may be.

I work alongside a dedicated team, striving together to create a space where compassion, peace, and hope can flourish. One way we do this is through 'Haven of Hope', a weekly reflection group on Fridays. It offers a moment of stillness and renewal – a space where staff and patients can pause, reflect, and find strength amid the demands of hospital life.

One of the most inspiring parts of my role is witnessing the strength of patients and families. Their resilience and faith are deeply moving, and our staff show incredible compassion and dedication too. This place is more than a hospital – it's a community of hope. It is an honour to walk alongside others, offering faith, comfort, and healing.”

The role of chaplains at The Christie

Each of us has a spiritual life that needs to be nurtured, though what that looks like is as unique as we are. For some, faith plays a key role in their resilience, while others find spiritual connection through music, literature, nature, meditation, or art.

Chaplains at The Christie recognise this diversity and help patients stay connected to what gives them strength, even when they are far from home, loved ones, or their places of worship.

“The role of a chaplain is, in essence, to walk alongside patients and staff, assisting them. We care for their needs, which keeps a person grounded in who they are at their very core.”
— Reverend Andrew Bradley, Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Coordinator with Fiona Jenkinson, Nurse and Chaplain

Rabbi Dovid Lewis (Jewish chaplain)

“Working as a volunteer chaplain means my phone can ring at any moment, sometimes in the middle of the night, requiring me to drop everything and head to the hospital.

While I am usually called to visit Jewish patients, I’ve also supported people of other faiths – like the time a young man was upset because he couldn’t get hold of his chosen chaplain. I explained that I was Jewish but would obviously help, and I found myself reciting Psalms and Hebrew prayers by the bedside of his loved one.

Hospitals are great levellers, the friendships that grow between patients and families of different faiths and backgrounds amaze me. We are advised not to get emotionally attached, but the relationships we develop are very strong. I’ve attended memorial services and been blessed to join celebrations long after treatment has ended.”

Zenab Sajawal (Muslim chaplain)

“I have been the honorary Muslim chaplain at The Christie for 23 years, offering spiritual support and prayers for patients at all times, especially for those on the end-of-life pathway.

I am available 24 hours a day and my role has many facets, including helping families navigate key arrangements in line with their faith and traditions, and to access financial support when needed. My practice has always remained person-centred, and I have always gone above and beyond to ensure our patients’ spiritual and religious needs are met with care and dignity."

Father Martin Dowd (Roman Catholic chaplain)

"The human side of chaplaincy is always the same, we offer support and care. If we don’t meet the human need first, we won’t get it right. The religious input should come on top of that foundation of care.

My ministry offers the sacraments, including anointing the sick, holy communion, and confession. In times of need, we offer absolution, and in some cases, an apostolic pardon. We visit wards with support from volunteers and Mass is held every Wednesday at 12.15pm in the chapel.

It's a privilege to be welcomed into the lives of those in need. Patients and staff trust us in their most vulnerable moments."

You are not alone

Whether you are looking for spiritual guidance, a quiet space, or simply someone to talk to, our chaplaincy team is here for you.

To speak with a chaplain or find out more about our spiritual care service, please email the-christie.spiritualcare@nhs.net or visit department 57. If you are in urgent need, the 24/7 on-call service is available through our switchboard on 0161 446 3000.

The Christie’s got talent

Our staff are great at their jobs, but that isn’t just who they are. While they bring passion and dedication to work every day, these qualities also extend far beyond their roles.

We thought it’d be nice to share some of these stories and focus on our colleagues’ lives away from work… here are just a few of the hidden talents across The Christie.

Jo Clarke, Lymphoedema Nurse Specialist

Away from work, Jo volunteers as a running coach for MileShyClub — a beginner walking and running group.

Last year, Jo also ran the Manchester Marathon, raising funds to help patients affected by lymphoedema (chronic swelling).

“Over the last few years I’ve taught hundreds of people to run, helping them to enjoy a more active lifestyle.”

Arfan Khan, Specialist Clinical Pharmacist

Inspired by the London Olympics, Arfan took up archery at university and turned a hobby into a competitive passion. Over the years, he has represented his university, club, and county at local, national, and international competitions — even competing against Olympians!

“Archery has not only been an incredible experience but has also allowed me to meet amazing people and develop valuable skills like focus and discipline.”

Claire Chapman, Switchboard Operator

With a focus on furry friends, Claire’s art sales raise money for charity. She recently completed a personal challenge to get her artwork displayed in every state in the USA for the Animal Cancer Foundation.

Claire also volunteers at Manchester Dogs Home and continues to raise funds for the charity through sales of her fantastic art.

“I wanted to raise money and awareness of animal cancer, so I set myself this huge challenge.”

Isabelle Byrne, Research Assistant

Isabelle is a research assistant in our blood cancer trials department.

“Being a cancer survivor myself, I have always wanted to work within oncology,” she says.

Outside of work, Isabelle is a published poet, award-winning short filmmaker, and spoken word artist. Her debut poetry pamphlet, Pandora’s Ruin, details Isabelle’s mental health journey during treatment and was selected for the British Library’s collection. Isabelle also performs spoken word on the Manchester scene and at festivals across the country. She wants to use her creative voice to explore powerful, often personal themes.

“My work now focuses more broadly on experiences of illness and recovery.”

Ben Heyworth, Survivorship Network Manager

Over the past decade, Ben has produced and performed music as This Morning Call, with releases exploring the wide spectrum of electronic music.

He recently played a charity fundraiser with the band Minorplanet, raising £1,500 for Move Against Cancer. Ben will soon visit Blueprint Studios in Salford to record a brand-new, acoustic, singer-songwriter EP, which is set to be released later this year.

“Music is a huge part of my life, and being able to use it to support good causes makes it even more rewarding.”

Alistair Reid Pearson, Chief Information Officer

“I’m an indie author going on wild adventures through a dystopian future filled with crazy characters.”

Under the pen name AJ Bywater, Alistair released his debut novel BitBob: Artificial Earth last year. The book explores truth, reality, and humanity through a dystopian lens and has just been nominated as a finalist in the Wishing Shelf awards.

“I’m also excited to share that book two in the series is almost finished.”

Amelia Cargo, Communications Officer

As a teenager, Amelia's school choir was invited to perform at the funeral of Manchester United legend, George Best. They provided backing vocals for local singer Brian Kennedy, and the song was later released as a charity single — reaching number three in the charts.

“I like to tell people that I’ve had a hit single without any context. It never fails to disappoint.”

Thomas Reading, Clinical Lead Physiotherapist

When Tom isn't at work, he's passionate about fitness, competing, and marathon running. Last year, he and his partner qualified for the HYROX World Championships, placing 12th in the world — an incredible achievement.

Now, he’s setting his sights on a new challenge, running the London Marathon in under three hours while raising funds for the Huntington’s Disease Association.

“Pushing my limits, both professionally and physically, is what drives me every day.”

Staff stories

Each and every person who works at The Christie performs a valuable role which directly links to patient care. Whether it is a nurse delivering chemotherapy or an IT engineer keeping our computer systems running, there is a huge variety of roles that come together to make The Christie special.

You Made A Difference awards

At The Christie, we’re proud to celebrate the incredible contributions of our staff and volunteers through our You Made a Difference Awards.

Recent recipients include:

Around the Trust

Christie at Macclesfield turns 3

Patients from Cheshire are benefiting from trailblazing developments at The Christie at Macclesfield as it marks its third anniversary.

Last year, more patients than ever used the centre (over 49,000), and staff numbers grew from 55 to 85.

Centre manager Dan Holt said: "We deliver life-saving treatment closer to home and have introduced complex treatments, previously only available at the Withington site, like stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) for all cancers."

Barrie Goodwin, a retired lorry driver from Chapel-en-le-Frith, had SABR for lung cancer.

Other developments at Macclesfield include:

  • Concurrent chemoradiotherapy for patients with gynaecological and colorectal tumours.
  • A growing team of advanced clinical practitioners (ACPs) supporting patients locally.
  • Upskilling staff such as healthcare support worker Elaine Barber, who assists radiographers in making immobilisation masks.
  • Pharmacy staff supporting breast cancer patients to cope with the side effects of immunotherapy and supporting clinical research.
  • Support from the Senior Adult Oncology Team for frail patients with multiple myeloma.
  • A new blood test room catering for 60 patients a day.

The £26m Christie at Macclesfield benefited from £23m of funding from The Christie Charity.

Giving back – radiographers support Oldham foodbank

Senior radiographers, Emma Karle and Gamu Maboreke, recently organised a department-wide collection for Oldham foodbank.

The Christie team at Oldham has been running these collections for several years in a show of support for the local community. Donations are usually made at Christmas, Easter, and around Harvest Festival.

Lead Radiographer at Oldham Julie Davies said: “We receive so much support from our community and this is our way of saying ‘thank you’ and giving back in a way other than treatment. I am so proud of the staff who always support patients and families, but also continually think of others in need.”

World Cancer Day with Christie International

World Cancer Day in February was marked with a giant map displayed in our engagement area, highlighting where we are involved in projects and partnerships overseas.

Such initiatives help to address inequalities in cancer care globally, but also benefit The Christie, developing our staff and helping to achieve equitable outcomes for our multi-ethnic patients.

Staff representing Christie International were on hand to point out where they are collaborating on projects as far afield as Australia, India, Kenya, and Nigeria, and to share their experiences.

To learn more, visit The Christie International section of the website and follow us on X @TheChristieIntl

Education at The Christie

2025 is becoming an exciting year of transformation for our Christie Institute for Cancer Education – recently launching a brand refresh and bringing a new strategy to life.

Rachel Ryan, Marketing and Communications Manager, said: “It’s great to showcase all the exciting work we’ve been doing to develop our EDI strategy, our widening participation, and our educational product portfolio across digital, face-to-face, and clinical learning. Our new identity and mission will position us in great stead throughout the year to bring world-leading cancer education to our colleagues at The Trust and beyond.”

Visit the education section of our website to learn more about The Christie Institute for Cancer Education.

Bloods closer to home opens in Wigan

Christie patients from the Wigan area can now get their blood tests done closer to home as part of the ‘bloods closer to home’ initiative.

Wigan is the tenth in the network of local blood test clinics set up by The Christie. The service aims to make pre-treatment tests more convenient and less time-consuming for our patients who are a little further away from the Withington site.

Appointments are available at the Thomas Linacre Centre, Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 9.15am. Book online or call 0161 918 7654.

Other ‘bloods closer to home’ clinics are located at:

  • Altrincham Health and Wellbeing Centre
  • Bolton Hospice
  • Bury Hospice
  • Dr Kershaw's Hospice (Royton)
  • St Anne's Hospice (Cheadle and Little Hulton)
  • St Luke's Hospice (Winsford)
  • Tameside Hospital (Ashton-under-Lyne)
  • The Christie at Macclesfield

Patients will be told by their clinical team when to have their blood tested before any treatments or appointments. The service is funded by The Christie Charity.

Patient stories

Mary Bruce: Overcoming cancer surgery with dementia support

82-year-old Mary Bruce, a former domestic supervisor at BT, is married to John. Together they have four children: Anne, Marie, Catherine, and John. Mary lives in supported care in Wythenshawe and loves playing darts and card games.

In 2024, Mary was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer, after her daughter Marie noticed a small mark on her face. Mary was referred to The Christie in August 2024.

Mary and Marie met with a consultant at The Christie, who recommended surgery to remove the cancer. This would be a challenge though, as Mary has been living with dementia for around eight years and the surgery would normally involve having a local anaesthetic.

Due to Mary's dementia, Mary and Marie were referred to The Christie’s specialist dementia nurse clinician, Lorraine Burgess, to see what support could be put in place for them both to be confident about the surgery. As a result, Mary was able to successfully have surgery twice, with a general anaesthetic.

“Mum finds it difficult to remember things that have just happened and has short-term memory issues,” said Marie. “She is more likely to struggle in stressful situations, for example, when medical treatment is needed.

“Through working at The Christie, I learned about the amazing work Lorraine Burgess does to support dementia patients, although I am sure even if I didn't work here, I would still have been offered that support. Lorraine sorted everything I needed to help me get Mum through the surgery and recovery. She liaised with all the surgical teams involved in Mum's care, but most importantly, she was there to support me through the experience, as it was quite an ordeal.

“My experience at The Christie, both as an employee and as a carer, has been first class. Lorraine gave me some great practical tips and advice, particularly on how to help Mum to relax. I honestly don't think Mum or I could have got through the cancer surgery without that help. The plastic surgery team were also superb, and the team in the Integrated Procedures Unit looked after Mum superbly. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank Lorraine and The Christie for their care."

David Ly: Turning his proton therapy mask into art

David Ly has turned his proton beam therapy mask into a piece of art to celebrate the end of his treatment.

David, 45, who lives in London with his partner Ian, was diagnosed with a chordoma, a rare bone cancer, in 2020. He initially went to the opticians with double vision, thinking he might need glasses, but the optician noticed something was wrong and sent him to hospital. Several scans and tests later, he was told he had a 23mm tumour at the base of his skull.

He had to have three operations to remove as much of the tumour as possible before he could be referred to The Christie for proton beam therapy — a type of specialist radiotherapy. It targets tumours using high-energy protons which are shaped into a beam. As a result, it’s potentially less damaging to the surrounding healthy tissue.

David had 41 sessions of daily proton beam therapy at The Christie. His treatment finished in February 2021 and all subsequent scans have shown his cancer is stable.

Making the mask was a way of processing what had happened to him and celebrating the progress he’s made.

“I had my treatments during the COVID lockdown and it was a really difficult time for me. Being creative with my mask is my way of taking a dark experience and making it bright and beautiful. It includes the scar from the operation I had on my skull and the silver spikes on the top represent the protons treating my tumour. I called it my warrior armour during treatment and now it really looks like that.”

“I keep it in my living room and it’s a reminder of just how far I’ve come. I recently brought it up to the proton beam therapy centre to show my team, which meant a lot to me. They are just brilliant, I can’t praise them enough.”

Turning his own mask into art is just the start for David. He added:

“One day I hope to collect photos of beautiful and creative masks that other people have done and make a display of them.”

Proton beam therapy is only suitable for the routine treatment of a small number of people with certain cancer types, such as where the tumour is close to the brain or spinal cord. Standard radiotherapy using X-rays is also a targeted and highly effective treatment for most cancers.

Charity corner

The Christie Charity 30 by 30 pledge

The Christie Charity plays a vital role in supporting The Christie by providing enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds. From pioneering cancer research, care, and treatment to extra patient services that help make cancer treatment a little easier, the hospital would not be the world-leading centre it is without this support.

Research has always been central to the work of The Christie and will continue to be a focus for charity funding in the future.

We are committed to supporting the Trust’s research division with its vision of ‘Learning from every patient,’ ‘Enabling every patient to participate in research,’ and ‘Applying this knowledge to improve the lives of patients with cancer now and in the future.’

Studies have shown that cancer patients treated at research-intensive hospitals have better outcomes than those treated in hospitals with little or no research activity.

We support the development and provision of trials, allowing more patients than ever to benefit from them. The staff we fund work in a collaborative environment with numerous organisations on a regional, national, and international level, including The University of Manchester, Cancer Research UK, National Institute for Health and Care Research, Greater Manchester Cancer, and Manchester Cancer Research Centre.

These partnerships ensure The Christie remains at the forefront of world-leading cancer research strategies and accelerates research breakthroughs.

Our supporters helped us provide £3.8m to fund research projects last year, and we have committed to a further £30m up to 2030 — our 30 by 30 pledge. The Christie has set ambitious targets for the next few years, including trebling the number of patients participating in research and growing the pipeline of research leaders with regional, national, and international influence, with the ultimate aim of bringing tomorrow’s treatments to patients faster.

The opening of the state-of-the-art Paterson building sees The Christie on the brink of a new era for cancer research and innovation, with the seamless integration of research with clinical care accelerating discoveries from the laboratory into clinical practice, resulting in more advanced treatments and better outcomes for patients.

To secure outstanding results for patients, we need outstanding staff. The Charity will support the recruitment of the next generation of cancer research leaders and clinical research fellows, with the ultimate goal of improving survival rates for patients.

For details on how to support The Christie Charity, visit one of the centres, call 0161 446 7506, or visit The Christie Charity website.

The Charity Centre (Withington site) is located near the Oak Road entrance of the hospital (department 3). Open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm.

The Macclesfield Charity Centre is located in the main waiting area at The Christie at Macclesfield. Open Tuesday to Thursday, 10am to 3.30pm.

Our staff stories

Each and every person who works at The Christie performs a valuable role which directly links to patient care. Whether it is a nurse delivering chemotherapy treatments, a member of the administration team sending out an appointment letter, a surgeon performing a robotic procedure, the domestic teams ensuring our wards are spotlessly clean, or an IT engineer keeping our computer systems running, there is a huge variety of roles that come together to make The Christie special.

All our staff go to tremendous lengths to help each and every one of our patients and together: We are The Christie.

View All
A photo of Oladipo Oni, digital trainer at The Christie.

“For me, digital training is not just about teaching tools. It is about giving people the confidence to use them to make a difference.”

Oladipo Oni, digital trainer
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A photo of Lucy Davies, specialised therapeutic radiographer in research at The Christie.

"I wanted a career where I was able to help people whilst combining science and working with advanced complex technology, so radiotherapy seemed like the perfect choice.”

Lucy Davies, radiographer
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A photo of Anne Crook, recently-retired counsellor at The Christie, sitting next to a coffee table.

“A cancer diagnosis can take over absolutely everything, and what counselling can do is help patients to get to a place where cancer is one part of their lives, not their whole life."

Anne Crook, counsellor
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Last updated: March 2026