Impact Report 2023

Blood tests closer to home The Christie Charity has funded a network of local phlebotomy (blood testing) clinics around Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Derbyshire in order to reduce the need for patients to travel long distances for blood tests. Patients on drug treatments need to have a blood test prior to treatment. This is to check their protein levels and organ function, which can also act as markers to see how the patient is responding to treatment. With a blood test on one day and a treatment appointment on another, this could mean a patient has to visit The Christie twice during the week of their treatment. Previously, many patients had to travel to The Christie’s Withington site for the blood tests, with round trip journeys lasting up to 2 hours. The local blood testing service operates from 11 convenient locations throughout Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Derbyshire using existing Christie local treatment centres, health centres, district hospitals and hospices. The service aims to give patients more time at home or, if they are juggling family or work commitments, take some of the anxiety away from having to arrange childcare, time off work, transport, navigating traffic jams or even finding a place to park.

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