Press release posted Thursday 4 June 2026
The Princess of Wales visited The Christie today (Thursday 4 June 2026) to learn more about the healing power of holistic therapies, alongside clinical care, for people living with and beyond cancer.
The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, looking after more than 60,000 patients a year.
It is the first UK centre to be accredited as a comprehensive cancer centre, meeting high international standards in all aspects of cancer care, including treatment, research and education. The Trust serves a population of 3.2 million people from Greater Manchester and the surrounding areas.
The Christie is renowned for its offering of complementary and holistic therapies, all free of charge, to patients and carers alike. As an integrated part of the service, The Christie provides therapies including massage, aromatherapy, acupuncture/acupressure, reflexology, therapeutic touch, hypnotherapy and creative visualisation. These can help alleviate symptoms common with diagnosis and treatment of cancer, including stress, mild to moderate depression, fear, worry and anxiety induced nausea.
The Christie also has drop-in art classes, a wellbeing garden and a chaplaincy service. The Christie Charity funds the art room and complementary therapy, which are services above and beyond what the NHS provides.
The Princess began her visit to The Christie’s Withington site by visiting the Oak Road Treatment Centre, to meet with staff and patients currently undergoing chemotherapy. She talked to members of the spiritual care team and patients benefitting from this service. Patients receiving complementary therapy were on hand to share their stories.
Her Royal Highness visited the art room and met resident artist Patricia Mountford. The Princess joined the art session with patients, gaining insight into how creative expression serves as a powerful tool in their recovery.
As the art room extends out into the wellbeing garden, the Princess looked out into the space where gardener Phill Walker talked her through the landscape of the garden which welcomes patients and staff to pause and reflect.
Finally, The Princess went to The Christie’s Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) unit, funded by The Christie Charity, to meet staff, young patients and their families, and learn about the social and recreational activities designed to support young people as they navigate an especially challenging time.
Roger Spencer, CEO of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, comments: “We were delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales.
“Having cancer affects every area of someone’s life, and we’re proud to have a person-centred approach to care that focuses on the individual, and not just their diagnosis.
“Our art room, complementary therapy service and TYA unit mean so much to people here, and it was an honour to introduce The Princess to the patients and staff involved.”
