Appointments, visiting patients and accessing support

Changes to provision of PET-CT scans at The Christie Withington site

The current waiting times for a PET-CT scan at The Christie Withington site are 3 times as long as our other scanning sites (Oldham and Wigan).

This increase is mainly due to the need to undertake other types of PET-CT scans as well as scans for patients with additional needs on The Christie Withington site. We aim to offer PET-CT scans at the site the patient chooses, however this is becoming unfeasible and resulting in very long wait times for patients who require urgent scans.

Approximately 48% of patients scanned at The Christie Withington site could have had their scan performed at either Wigan or Oldham. For this reason, we are now booking patients’ PET-CT scans into the next available, suitable scan appointment slot at any of our 3 sites.

This may lead to a small number of patients wishing to change their scan appointment as they may have a preference to have their at The Christie Withington site.

However, the team will be advising patients that due to current waiting times, this will not be possible.

We want to assure our patients that PET-CT scans performed at any of our sites are carried out to the same high quality that they would receive at The Christie Withington site and reported by the same Christie radiology team. If patients wish to discuss this further, please contact the team who referred you for the scan.

We ask for your support with this and encourage all patients referred for a PET-CT scan to accept the first appointment they receive as this will be the next available appointment and will ensure timely scanning and reporting of images to support their ongoing care.

Thank you in advance for your assistance with working together to reduce the PET-CT waiting times for all patients at The Christie.

Attending The Christie for outpatient/day case appointments

Patients who are attending outpatient appointments can bring one accompanying person with them. 

For patients attending day case procedures and treatments, there may be the opportunity to have someone remain with you in some departments, but this depends on your circumstances and the available space in the department. Please discuss with the staff in the department that you are visiting. Your friend or relative can come into the hospital to help you get to where you are going.

Depending on the waiting room occupancy, it may not be possible for the accompanying person to wait with you. This will be managed by the local department.

We ask that all patients, staff and visitors maintain good hand hygiene practice and respiratory etiquette during each visit. 

If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, please do not come to any Christie site unless necessary. If you have an appointment, speak to the relevant department to see if you can re-arrange for when you are better. If this isn’t possible, please let the department know you are attending and wear a mask during your visit. If you require urgent clinical advice, please contact The Christie Hotline on 0161 446 3658.

We understand that some staff and patients may still want to wear a mask. Masks will be available from the main reception desk at all our sites.

Access to the hospital

There are 2 entrances open to patients and visitors:

  • Oak Road (open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) – drop off zone available.
  • Palatine Road (open Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm).

Facilities

We have the following facilities that are open to patients and visitors (but not the general public):

  • The Wilmslow Restaurant
  • The Maggie's Centre
  • Mark and Spencer café
  • WHS Smith shop
  • Vending machines
  • Seating areas in Oak Road reception 

We value the importance of patients’ family and friends in supporting their wellbeing. We are aiming to balance this against the need for reducing the risk of transmission of infection to our vulnerable patients.

When coming into hospital for an inpatient stay, your friend or relative can bring you in to the hospital and help you get where you are going.

A single point of contact for each inpatient helps ensure visits are co-ordinated in line with ward restrictions on visitors. It also means updates on a patient’s condition can be routed through the single point of contact. On admission, the single point of contact will be verified and recorded on our system.

If you need help on arrival, please ask a member of staff on the main reception desk, or at the security office.

Visiting times

One person is allowed to visit each patient at any one time. 

  • Main wards (with the exception of Palatine and Withington wards): 2pm to 3pm, 6pm to 7pm
  • Palatine ward: 10am to 11am, 2pm to 3pm, 6pm – 7pm 

There may be circumstances when you can visit at additional times or bring an additional person – please discuss this with the nurse in charge of your ward. 

Infection prevention

Please help us protect our vulnerable patients by following our infection prevention measures during your visit:

  • Anyone who is feeling unwell (including respiratory virus symptoms) should not visit.
  • All visitors must wash their hands on entering and leaving a clinical area.
  • Visitors must use public toilets within in the Hospital – they should not use patient toilet facilities
  • Visitors must not sit on patient beds or touch medical equipment they are attached to such as drips or catheters.
  • Flowers are not permitted in clinical areas.

Please note – there may be times when we need to restrict visiting on individual clinical areas (e.g. infection control concerns).

  • Car parking for patients and visitors is free of charge on both of our car parks for patients and visitors.
  • WHSmith is open and located in the Oak Road main entrance (department 3).
  • Marks and Spencer Food to Go is open, with opening hours from 7am to 7pm. Hot drinks are now available along with a full range of hot and packaged foods, and snacks.
  • Withington is the closest local centre, about a 10 minute walk from the hospital. There are a range of cafes along the main street.
  • Didsbury is another local centre about 15 to 20 minutes' walk or a short bus journey. It has a number of cafes and restaurants.
  • There are toilets outside near to the entrance that can be used by people who are dropping off or waiting to collect a patient.

To reduce the number of people coming into the hospital and ensure patients still have their appointments, we have moved some appointments to a secure telephone or video conferencing service.

If your appointment has changed to a telephone or video conferencing consultation, your doctor or nurse will ring you at a pre-arranged time. Any of your household members are welcome to join the consultation with you, with your consent.

Clinical teams: your clinical team is here to help support you during this challenging time. Please contact them if you have any questions or concerns.

The Christie Hotline: all patients on active treatment or who have recently completed treatment can call The Christie Hotline or 0161 446 3658. The Christie Hotline is available if you have any concerns or worries at any time of the day or night.

Managing anxiety booklet: we have also created a booklet Managing anxiety about COVID-19. This is designed to help you change and develop your coping strategies during these changing times.

The cancer information centre: the cancer information centre has now re-opened and is located at the entrance to department 22. You can contact the centre via email at informationcentre@christie.nhs.uk 

Wig fitting service: the wig fitting service is running online, including virtual consultations and wigs by post. Patients can also claim a discount and free shipping on hats bought through Masumi Headwear. Email the cancer information centre for further information.

Maggie's centre: the Maggie's centre has now re-opened to Christie patients and their loved ones. You can drop in while you're at The Christie for an appointment or book an individual face-to-face appointment. Telephone and web-based support is still available. You can find out more on the Maggie's centre website.

Look Good Feel Better: the Look Good Feel Better service is currently offering virtual workshops for patients struggling with the visual effects of cancer. These are available on the Look Good Feel Better website. 

Free flu jabs: people at high risk from COVID-19 are also those most at risk from flu. We are urging everyone who is eligible to take up the free flu vaccine this winter.

The NHS is using new treatments for COVID-19. If you are a patient at The Christie, you might be suitable for these treatments if a PCR test confirms you have COVID-19.

These treatments need to be given quickly after you start to feel unwell. They can help to stop you from getting seriously ill from COVID-19.

If you test positive after a PCR test, you must contact your GP practice or call 111 who can make a referral.

More information about these treatments is available on the NHS website.

Patient travel expenses can be reimbursed for patients who qualify under the Healthcare Travel cost scheme. You can find out more on our Help with travel and costs page.

Last updated: April 2025

© 2025 The Christie NHS Foundation Trust