News story posted 16 June 2025
We are issuing this statement to reassure all of our patients and staff that the quality of care provided at The Christie remains of the highest standard and to correct some misleading media reporting that has caused widespread concern and distress.
A story about The Christie broadcast on national television in 2023 misrepresented how we had responded to concerns about our services and undermined the trust of our patients and staff. We can now put the record straight and reassure everybody about The Christie’s commitment to listening, learning, and continuously improving our services. We know that we don’t always get things right, but as was done in this case, we try as hard as we can to learn, put things right and take appropriate action to improve. It is important for the safety of us all that staff feel confident that any concerns they raise will be addressed effectively and with compassion.
The story about claims at an employment tribunal by a former employee was shown on national television in September 2023. The reporting focused on untrue allegations that concerns raised by a former member of staff had not been properly addressed and that the person raising concerns had been poorly treated as a result. The court hearings, which have now finished, found that claims that the Trust had brushed concerns under the carpet and not followed correct processes and procedures whilst investigating those concerns were not true. By responding publicly, we want to reassure our patients and staff by making them aware that the damaging and worrying allegations were false and misreported.
After considering all the information the Judge agreed that whilst the staff member had been right to raise concerns, we had investigated them thoroughly and taken appropriate action which included providing as much feedback as possible. No patient harm had resulted. The Judge found that the Trust had responded appropriately and had not treated the former member of staff badly because of raising concerns.
In her written judgment, the Judge observed that during the television programme the former staff member made comments “that she could not reasonably have thought were substantially true” about how her concerns had been addressed.
The unfair coverage led to unnecessary worry for our patients and upset to our colleagues who worked with the former employee and who continue to care for cancer patients.
We wish again to reassure our patients, members of the public, and colleagues that there was no evidence of patient harm related to the concerns raised by the former staff member and that we treat all concerns raised by our staff very seriously. The court findings show that whilst we can always improve, our approach to whistleblowing at The Christie follows good practice.
We are also mindful of the considerable time and diversion of NHS resources that these employment tribunals entail. In this case 15 of our staff provided testimony on behalf of the Trust. This had an emotional toll on not only them but their families, we want to thank them again for their committed service.
In these challenging times, it is essential that NHS funds are spent on patients and the running of our remarkable hospital not defending unfounded allegations and the consequences of media misrepresentation.
Patient care is, and will always be, our number one priority. We want to reassure you that the standard of care delivered by our diligent teams, remains at the highest level. We will continue to strive to provide the outstanding service our patients deserve, as well as protecting the welfare and safety of our staff, and challenging misrepresentations that undermine the trust that patients put in us all.
If any patients wish to discuss this further, please contact our patient advice and liaison service (PALS) team at The Christie on 0161 446 8217 or by email the-christie.pals@nhs.net
- Employment tribunal judgement [104 page PDF]