Minister James Frith MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health Innovation at the Department of Health and Social Care, visited The Christie on 9 September 2026 to observe how cutting-edge medical technology and clinical research are transforming cancer care.
During the visit, Minister Frith met with clinical leaders across several departments to see first-hand how artificial intelligence, advanced imaging, and early-phase clinical trials are driving faster recoveries and improving survival rates.
In the radiotherapy department, Radiotherapy Physics Group Leader Matthew Clark demonstrated how AI-enabled planning and mapping tools streamline the design of highly accurate, personalised radiation treatments. The minister was also briefed on RAPID-RT, a research programme focused on reducing radiation exposure to a specific high-risk region of the heart, known as the cardiac corridor area (CAA), to minimise heart damage and boost long-term patient survival outcomes.
The interventional radiology team, led by Dr Pavan Najran, introduced Minister Frith to state-of-the-art 3D intervention guidance technology and discussed innovative "pinhole surgeries". These minimally invasive procedures allow clinicians to target cancers with extreme precision, drastically cutting recovery times and improving quality of life.
To conclude the tour, Director of Research and Innovation Professor Fiona Blackhall led the minister through the National Institute for Health and Care Research Manchester Clinical Research Facility at The Christie. Minister Frith observed how the facility's specialised laboratory infrastructure supports researchers in establishing and managing complex early-phase and first-in-human cancer trials, bringing next-generation therapies from the lab to patients sooner.
Minister for Health Innovation, James Frith, said: "I was delighted to visit The Christie this week and see first-hand the groundbreaking work they do there - giving hope to cancer patients across the North West.
"This is precision medicine in action – and exactly the kind of innovation that exemplifies our National Cancer Plan.
"I'm grateful to the clinicians, researchers and staff at The Christie for their dedication and innovation, and for showing me how they're using cutting-edge technology to improve survival rates and transform patients' quality of life."