We are The Christie magazine -Edition 5

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christie.nhs.uk We are The Christie Going the extra mile Ian Rutherford is our ‘Act with Kindness’ winner

EDITION 5

Welcome

A word from the executive editor

Welcome to the fifth edition of We are The Christie. 2025 was a year defined by progress and real teamwork across our Trust.

We’re pleased to share some examples of this in these pages, including our radiotherapy clinical trials team being named ‘UK Radiography

This issue also looks ahead at some exciting innovations coming to the Trust. As part of our Future Christie transformation programme, we’re preparing to introduce ambient voice technology (AVT), a digital note-taker or ‘scribe’ that will help improve the patient experience and support clinical teams. More is planned throughout 2026, and we'll keep you updated across all of our channels. Our successes are only possible because of all colleagues across the Trust, and I’m grateful to everyone who has contributed to the care we provide.

Team of the Year’ by the Society of Radiographers, and a feature on Ian Rutherford, winner of our patient-nominated ‘Act with Kindness’ award. These sit

within a wider year of clinical milestones, expanding services, and continued advances in research and education.

As always, we highlight the people who make The Christie special –

Thank you for reading.

our patients and our colleagues.

Dr Neil Bayman Executive Medical Director

Contents

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14 15 16 17 18 19

You Made A Difference Awards

Introduction News in brief Feature story Apprenticeships Staff stories Patient stories

Around the Trust

4-5 6-7 8-9

The Christie at Macclesfield

Radiotherapy award

Puzzle section Charity corner

10-13

We’d love to hear your thoughts about this new magazine. Please send any feedback or ideas to the-christie.internalcomms@nhs.net You can also get in touch by post at: WATC Editor, The Christie, 2-4 Candleford Road, Withington, Manchester, M20 3JH 2

News in brief

Introducing ambient voice technology As part of our Future Christie transformation programme, we are introducing ambient voice technology (AVT) - a digital note-taker. AVT is a secure tool that listens during a consultation and helps create an accurate written summary of what was discussed. Clinicians check everything before it is saved, and the conversation with the clinical team remains the most important part of the appointment. Using AVT means clinicians spend less time typing notes and more time focusing on patients. Patients will receive a clear written summary sooner, helping them remember what was agreed and share information with their GP. As Professor Adrian Bloor, our Medical Director for Future Christie, says: “At its heart, this innovation is about freeing up time to care.” AVT launched with consultants in selected areas in early 2026 and will be gradually introduced across the hospital, ensuring the right support is in place.

News in brief

Executive assistants recognised with national award Five of our executive assistants recently received the ‘Unsung Hero’ award at The National PA Awards in Manchester. The team were originally nominated by service manager and line manager Paulette Eckersley for the ‘Stronger Together’ category. After reviewing the nomination, judges felt the team’s story deserved wider recognition and created a brand-new award to acknowledge their commitment and outstanding teamwork. “I’ve only been managing and leading the team at The Christie since June, but from day one, I could see they were deserving of this award. They’ve faced significant challenges in recent months, yet they’ve consistently supported each other and delivered exceptional service to the executive team. I’m so proud to see them recognised in this way, they truly deserve it,” Paulette says.

Cancer conference success for The Christie Christie researchers attended the European Society for Medical Oncology annual meeting in October, one of the world’s most prestigious cancer research conferences. They were involved in over 30 presentations and poster sessions covering everything from early-phase trial results and patient-reported outcomes to resilience in oncology professionals and basic and translational research. Highlights included Gemma Jones, one of our senior nurses, speaking about electronic patient-reported outcomes in streamlining pre-treatment assessment, and Dr Andrew Clamp presenting overall survival analysis of the ICON8B trial as part of the gynaecological cancer session. Congratulations also go to Professor Fiona Thistlethwaite and Dr Colin Lindsay, who both won awards for posters they presented. Partnership with Ukrainian cancer doctors The Christie has recently hosted cancer clinicians from Ukraine. It’s part of a partnership with the National Cancer Institute of Ukraine, with visitors spending time with Christie teams in their respective fields – radiotherapy, surgery, and medical oncology, as well as sharing their experiences of

The Christie on the small screen The Christie was recently featured in a documentary series about ground-breaking cancer research that’s happening across the UK. Episode three of Cancer Detectives: Finding the Cure focuses on Professor Caroline Dive, Director of the Cancer Research UK National Biomarker Centre, which is based at our Withington site. She and her team of experts from Cancer Research UK, The University of Manchester and The Christie are developing innovative blood tests to detect cancer, looking for tiny fragments of cancer DNA in the blood that give them information about how and when to treat it. Through her work, we meet Lee, who is being treated for cancer of unknown primary at The Christie. Doctors can’t find where his cancer started. Could Caroline’s pioneering blood tests help? The programme also focuses on patient Damian, who hopes to join a trial to test if his recent skin cancer could be coming back. Watch ‘Cancer Detectives: Finding the Cures’ – Channel 4.

delivering cancer care in difficult circumstances back home. The visits are part of the International Medical Partnership initiative and the UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership Treaty and are funded by Global Health Partnerships.

If you’d like to read more about these stories, please visit: christie.nhs.uk/news

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Feature story

The first person we see when we come to The Christie Ian Rutherford is our ‘Act with Kindness’ winner

Ian Rutherford, who works in our car parking team, was chosen as the ‘Act with Kindness’ winner at our annual 2025 Christie Colleague Awards. Ian’s nomination came from a patient’s daughter, Heather Harrison, who described him as ‘kind, professional and caring’. “Ian is the first person we see when we come to The Christie,” Heather says. “We travel quite a way to get there, and he’s always there to welcome us and help us get parked. He’s out there come rain or shine but always takes time out of his day to come and have a chat. “Ian’s been the one consistent person who has made our journey easier. He must see hundreds of people a day, but he always offers his time and kindness. He’s inclusive, kind, and always goes the extra mile. Overall, he’s just a fabulous human being. I can’t express how grateful I am for the difference he’s made.”

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Ian’s been the one consistent person who has made our journey easier. He must see hundreds of people a day, but he always offers his time and kindness. He’s inclusive, kind, and always goes the extra mile.

Heather Harrison

Heather first met Ian on her father’s very first visit to The Christie. “We couldn’t get parked and had travelled over 30 miles to attend,” she says. “Ian got us parked within minutes. Since the first meeting, at a time that was difficult for us all, he has been

consistent. Every time I have seen him at drop off or parking, he takes a couple of minutes from his day to talk to me, my mum and dad and asks us how we are.” Ian was one of 80 colleagues or teams nominated for the ‘Act with Kindness’ award. Thank you to everyone who took the time to tell us about those people who have made a difference during their time at The Christie.

We couldn’t get parked and had travelled over 30 miles to attend, Ian got us parked within minutes. Since the first meeting, at a time that was difficult for us all, he has been consistent. Heather Harrison

At the ceremony, Ian was joined by dozens of other colleagues who were nominated in other categories like ‘Clinical Team of the Year’, ‘Learner of the Year’, and ‘Innovation and Improvement.’ With over 4,000 colleagues caring for 60,000 people every year, there are so many brilliant things going on every day – the awards ceremony really is just the tip of the iceberg. Everyone at The Christie has a role to play in caring for patients and their loved ones. Ian’s story is a powerful reminder that kindness can start long before a clinical appointment begins.

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Apprenticeships

How apprenticeships help our staff to develop their careers At The Christie, we support staff to reach their full potential. Apprenticeships are one way we achieve this.

With National Apprenticeship Week Taking place earlier this year, we thought it’d be fitting to highlight how apprenticeships at The Christie can help build a long-term careers. An apprenticeship is a paid job that combines formal learning and assessment, leading to recognised qualifications. Four of our colleagues, Suzanne Lagan, Abbey Walker, Leah Hutchison-Saxon and Brian Hall share their experiences of apprenticeships at The Christie. They discuss how the opportunity to gain qualifications and develop practical skills has advanced their careers. Suzanne Lagan (Radiographer) In April 2025, Suzanne qualified as a fully registered diagnostic radiographer at The Christie, marking the culmination of more than a decade of learning, much of which was supported by the Trust. Suzanne began her career in beauty therapy, but her interest in anatomy and physiology led her to pursue a healthcare career. A careers open day at The Christie in 2010 led to a week’s placement in radiotherapy. Inspired, Suzanne researched further and realised that diagnostic imaging might be where her strengths lay. In 2011, she joined The Christie as a radiographic aide, gaining nine years of experience in CT and ultrasound. “I was fascinated by how image quality could influence someone’s diagnosis or treatment plan and the clinical decisions that impact patient care,” she recalls. Undiagnosed dyslexia and a lack of GCSEs in maths and English initially held her back, but The Christie supported her to complete the Care Certificate and an NVQ Level 3 in healthcare. This enabled her to apply for further training, and in 2019, she became the first person in diagnostic radiology at The Christie to take the assistant practitioner apprenticeship route. “I had a house, a family, and bills to pay, full-time university wasn’t an option. The apprenticeship meant I could earn and gain qualifications at the same time.” Encouraged by clinical tutors and colleagues, she completed the two-year programme plus a further 18 months of study to become a fully qualified radiographer in April 2025. Now working across X-ray, CT and interventional radiology, Suzanne is thriving. “It’s a big step up, but I was ready for it,” she says. “The Christie helped

me build the skills and confidence I needed.” Her manager, Sarah Simpson, says: “Suzanne is an outstanding example of what’s possible when someone with passion and commitment is given the right environment to grow. She’s overcome barriers with remarkable resilience. Suzanne is mentoring student radiographers and hopes to inspire others. If you're interested in healthcare, especially imaging, don’t let fears about age, background or study put you off, The Christie will support you every step of the way.”

Abbey Walker (Senior Clinical Trial Coordinator and Project Manager) March 2020 as one of the first business administration apprentices in the clinical trials Abbey joined The Christie in

coordinator team. With a background ranging from nursery work to payroll and accounts in a cheese factory, Abbey saw the apprenticeship as an opportunity to step into a meaningful specialist role. Inspired by her dad’s stem cell transplant treatment for multiple myeloma, Abbey seized the chance to learn on the job while gaining qualifications. “I’ve always preferred learning on the job,” she says. Her apprenticeship earned her a level 3 business administration qualification and a level 2 qualification in medical terminology. By 2023, she was promoted to a senior clinical trials coordinator secondment, later expanding into project management across the lymphoma and haematology research teams. One of Abbey's most significant challenges was adapting to the project manager role and learning new skills such as building an electronic database. Now in her second year of a project management degree apprenticeship with the University of Cumbria. Abbey credits her development to the exceptional support of her colleagues and managers, particularly her initial line manager, Juliet Harris, who nurtured her confidence. She enjoys her work and the opportunity to make a difference.

I had a house, a family, and bills to pay, full time university wasn’t an option. The apprenticeship meant I could earn and gain qualifications at the same time. Suzanne Lagan

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Interested in an apprenticeship at The Christie? We offer apprenticeships in: • Business and medical administration • Healthcare (nursing, radiography, physiotherapy, pharmacy, science roles) • Management (from team leader to chartered manager) • Digital, facilities, finance, human resources Apprenticeships are available from level 2 (GCSE equivalent) to level 6 (degree level). Apprentices need to undertake 6 hours of off-the-job learning per week, and have the approval of their manager prior to applying. For more information, email the-christie.apprenticeships@nhs.net.

Leah Hutchison-Saxon (Theatre Practitioner) Leah began her Christie journey in 2019 as a healthcare assistant in clinical trials. After a decade in HR, she longed for a more people-focused role. Seeing a nursing associate apprenticeship advertised rekindled her childhood dream of becoming a nurse. This hands-on route allowed her to earn while learning, removing financial barriers that had previously held her back from attending university. After completing the apprenticeship, Leah was encouraged to apply for one of just three places on the top-up registered nurse apprenticeship. To her delight, she was accepted and is now qualified as a registered nurse, working as a theatre practitioner in surgical oncology theatres. Leah credits her success to the support of colleagues in endocrinology and the unwavering guidance and encouragement she received from Yvonne Rushton, who managed her as a nursing associate. Leah values being there for patients at vulnerable moments. She hopes to inspire others to “grab the opportunity and believe in themselves”.

Brian Hall (Pharmacy Services Assistant ) Brian Hall, one of our pharmacy assistants, was named ‘Health and Science Apprentice of the Year 2025’ at the Preston College Awards. He joined The Christie nearly six years ago, starting out in the catering team, but

always with a plan. “My intention was to do 12 months in the kitchen and then work my way onto the wards,” he explains. Despite progressing to head chef, Brian knew he wanted a more patient-facing role. “When the apprentice opportunity came up in pharmacy, I just went for it,” he says. Now working in the pharmacy team, Brian supports ward and patient top-ups and dispensing between departments, while studying towards his qualification. Returning to education was a big step. “It was a bit daunting going back into education. I hadn’t done academic work for years, but I’ve had great support from the team, and I’m really enjoying it. I’m happiest when I’m in a role where I’m helping others. I’ve never once woken up and thought, ‘I don’t fancy going in today.’ That says it all really.”

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Staff stories

Megan Davies Additive Manufacturing Engineer Megan is part of The Christie’s 3D technology team, working on how digital tools, such as 3D scanning and 3D printing, could support clinicians and improve patient experience.

Staff stories Each and every person who works at The Christie performs a valuable role which directly links to patient care. Whether it is a nurse delivering chemotherapy or an IT engineer keeping our computer systems running, there is a huge variety of roles that come together to make The Christie special.

Megan studied 3D design at Manchester Metropolitan University, later completing an MSc in Digital Design and Manufacturing, where she explored how 3D technology can be used in a healthcare context. She joined The Christie to help develop new digital solutions that could enhance patient care. A key part of her work focuses on early development and testing. “Right now, our work is helping lay the foundations for future patient-facing solutions. We’re testing how 3D scanning and printing might help us

create personalised medical devices, such as shielding masks and brachytherapy applicators, devices used to help deliver treatment more accurately and comfortably. Patient education is also an area we can help with, by printing anatomical models for patients and their clinicians to plan and explain a procedure,” she says.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to be in a multidisciplinary space where engineering, design and patient care meet." Megan Davies

Supporting colleagues is central to their work too. “We’re here as a resource for any clinician or team who thinks 3D technology might help improve their current workflow,” Megan says. “We’re encouraging staff to come to us with ideas that we can prototype, test and evaluate to see what’s possible. We will help teams across The Christie to innovate safely and efficiently.” For Megan, the most rewarding part of her work is seeing design and engineering directly support patient care. “What I enjoy most about my role is the mix of creativity and clinical purpose. Being able to use my traditional design background, and additive manufacturing knowledge and apply them clinically. It’s incredibly rewarding to be in a multidisciplinary space where engineering, design and patient care meet.”

All our staff go to tremendous lengths to help each and every one of our patients and, together:

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Anne Crook, Counsellor Anne has recently retired after being a counsellor at The Christie for 15 years. Her role sat in our psycho-oncology service, which is made up of a range of mental health experts, including mental health nurses, psychologists, counsellors and psychiatrists.

Lucy Davies, Radiographer When Lucy, one of our radiographers, was a teenager, she thought her future would be about performances and pointe shoes rather than radiotherapy and PhDs.

“Good cancer care is about more than the treatment; it’s about understanding the effect it has on the whole person, including their mind,” she says. “When someone gets referred in, we discuss it as a team and make sure they’re seeing the right professional for them. It’s a really personalised approach.

Lucy, who trained as a professional ballet dancer, has worked as a radiographer at The Christie for over 12 years. She’s now doing research that aims to minimise facial deformation in children who have had radiotherapy, including proton beam therapy, for head and neck cancer. “I started dancing when I was three and then after my GCSEs I successfully auditioned for and trained at the Central School of Ballet in London. I danced professionally for a while after graduating, but after sustaining an injury, I decided to retrain. I wanted a career where I was able to help people whilst working with advanced technology, so radiotherapy seemed like the perfect choice,” she says.

“A cancer diagnosis can take over absolutely everything, and what counselling can do is help patients to get to a place where cancer is one part of their lives, not their whole life. To be able to work with people to give them back a sense of control and agency is very rewarding,” she says.

“I had surgery here and have finished my treatment now. My prognosis is good, but it gave me an even deeper appreciation of everything my

Lucy has always worked in paediatric radiotherapy and oncology. She has recently secured a prestigious NIHR Doctoral Clinical Academic Fellowship, looking at understanding facial deformation after radiotherapy, a life-altering long-term side effect of treatment in children with head and neck cancer. “I’ve just completed the first year of my PhD. I've been working closely with my dedicated patient advisory

“I wanted a career where I was able to help people whilst working with advanced technology, so radiotherapy seemed like the perfect choice.” Lucy Davies

colleagues do for patients.” Anne Crook

Anne became a patient at The Christie in 2023 when she was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour.

“I had surgery here and have finished my treatment now. My prognosis is good, but it gave me an even deeper appreciation of everything my colleagues do for patients. Going to the art room at The Christie has been something that’s really helped me with my own mental health. That’s definitely something that I’ll keep up in my retirement,” Anne adds.

group to develop a research study called REFLECT aiming to better understand the experiences and perspectives of childhood cancer survivors and their families living with facial deformation after head and neck radiotherapy. REFLECT has recently opened for recruitment. I have also worked with experts from across the world to develop an international facial structures delineation consensus atlas so that we can tell which parts of the face will be receiving radiation during treatment. This will allow us to look at ways to try to reduce radiation dose to the facial structures that can lead to deformation during treatment planning. This is an area that hasn’t really been researched before, and we hope that the research will potentially improve outcomes for childhood cancer survivors,” Lucy adds.

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Patient stories

Bex Hind

39-year-old Bex Hind from Cumbria was diagnosed with incurable pseudomyxoma peritonei, a rare appendix cancer, around five years ago. “I actually had a procedure to sort an obstruction in my small bowel just two weeks before the race, so to be standing there on the starting line was very emotional. “I did around 1,000 miles of training ahead of the ride, and I now feel the best I have since my diagnosis – both physically and mentally. I’m still on a bit of a high from it, but I’ll soon be planning what I’m going to do next. Getting out on my bike gives me something to focus on; it helps to clear my mind. “Obviously, not everyone with advanced cancer will be able, or even want to, do a challenge like this, but there’s definitely a misconception that a stage four diagnosis means there’s no hope, when that’s just not true. Thanks to advances in treatment, more and more people are living well with cancer than ever before, and the clue is right there in that phrase – there is so much living to be done.”

As part of her treatment at The Christie, Bex had a big operation to remove lots of different organs and tissues, including her large bowel, spleen,

gallbladder, ovaries, womb and fallopian tubes. The surgeon then put heated chemotherapy into her abdomen to try to get rid of any remaining cancer cells. However, the cancer came back, and Bex has since had to have more tumours – one the size of a melon – removed. “Living with advanced cancer can be brutal; there are no two ways about

“Thanks to advances in treatment, more and more people are living well with cancer than ever before, and the clue is right there in that phrase – there is so much living to be done."

it. I have to take a lot of medication, and some days are a struggle, but I’m not going to let it stop me.” Bex recently took part in a 56-mile cycle ride for people with stage four cancer and those close to them, raising around £9,000 for charity.

Credit: Luiza Oliver Photography

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Jo, a development manager for arts and heritage charities, who is married to Ian, began 2025 as usual. But everything changed for the mother of three in March when she found a lump in her breast.

“I went to my GP, and when I found out out it was breast cancer, I was terrified. It felt unreal, like I was in a daze.”

"They made the most frightening year of my life manageable."

Further tests confirmed that Jo had HER2-positive breast cancer. In April, she was referred to The Christie for treatment, including 12 chemotherapy sessions, an operation, and radiotherapy sessions, finishing on Christmas Eve. She will continue with Herceptin injections in 2026. Jo speaks with genuine warmth about her experience at The Christie at Macclesfield. “The medical care is efficient and caring. But the non-medical care is just as important. Everyone is welcoming and smiling, even when they’re clearly busy. They make a difficult situation manageable". She remembers being “petrified” before her first chemotherapy session until senior nurse Sarah helped her through it. “Over the next 18 weeks, I saw many of the same friendly nurses - Eva, Matthew, Rachel, Emma and others - and that continuity meant the world.” The environment at Macclesfield also made a difference. “The chemotherapy suite is light and airy, with views of the trees. Everything is spotless and still feels new.” Before the centre opened, Jo’s treatment would have required a stressful two or three-hour round trip to Withington. “Having cancer treatment close to home made everything easier.” As she starts 2026, Jo is relieved there are no signs of cancer and feels hopeful. “Cancer still feels surreal in About our new breast care model Jo is one of around 250 patients each year benefiting from a pioneering regional breast cancer treatment model developed by The Christie. Led by Dr Caroline Wilson, this approach ensures patients continue to receive consultant-led expert care, while helping address national workforce shortages. One consultant now leads care for patients with a specific subtype of cancer across four surgical breast units. Pharmacists, an advanced nurse practitioner, a GP, an associate specialist in oncology and a dedicated secretary support Dr Wilson. Highly trained nursing teams do treatment reviews, and imaging and monitoring are coordinated with local surgical teams. Emergency side effects are managed through The Christie acute oncology hotline. Comprehensive protocols ensure consistent, safe care across the region. some ways, yet painfully real in others. I couldn’t have got through it without the amazing staff at The Christie, and without my family and friends. Cancer has taught me to appreciate them even more.”

Jo Williams

When Jo Williams from Buxton phoned BBC Radio 4’s ‘You and Yours’ recently, she simply wanted to thank the team at The Christie at Macclesfield. Her message

of appreciation soon led to an invitation to share her story directly with The Christie’s Board of Directors.

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Patient stories

Louise Anderson

Louise Anderson, a 56-year-old swimming teacher and a school support assistant, has been living with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) – a type of blood cancer – for nearly nine years. Louise, or ‘Nannie’ as she’s known to her two grandchildren, lives with her dog, a Border Terrier called Angus, in Macclesfield. She has taught swimming to children and adults for 23 years and worked in secondary education for 20 years. Although CLL is highly treatable and many patients will go through long periods of remission, it’s not completely curable, something Louise found difficult to deal with at first. “I didn’t need any treatment – just monitoring – for the first couple of years after my diagnosis. I’m a practical person, so I found that difficult as there was nothing I could do. CLL is a bit different to some other cancers in that I’ll never be fully rid of it, which some people find hard to understand.” Louise loves staying active and busy. In addition to working two jobs, she also enjoys cycling and swimming, and is studying for a degree in Childhood and Youth Studies with the Open University. She also loves travelling and recently spent a few weeks in Kefalonia volunteering with a turtle conservation project. “Being active and travelling enriches my mental wellbeing and my life as a whole. Dr Faye Sharpley, my consultant at The Christie at Macclesfield, has been brilliant in understanding this and helping me achieve as much as I can. I had to go back on treatment a few months before I went to Greece, but I told her I was going to do it, and she was fully supportive. We worked together to make sure that I was ready to go. “I had the best time in Greece. We were up early each morning, cycling the seven miles to the beach to look out for any nests that had been made overnight. Once we’d found one, we’d measure and mark the area to stop people from accidentally destroying it.

“I’m now on my second line of treatment, which is a daily pill, so I was able to keep taking that while I was out there. I had a couple of dips

"When you have cancer, being able to feel like yourself and to do the things you love is so important to your overall wellbeing.

when I started taking it, but it’s got better, and I hope it stays that way. The trip was physically challenging, but I did it, and I’m very proud of that. It did wonders for my physical and mental health. When you have cancer, being able to feel like yourself and to do the things you love is so important to your overall wellbeing. It’s made a massive difference to me,” Louise says.

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Pauline Short

When Pauline Short noticed a small, smooth lump on her arm, she wasn’t overly concerned at first. It had appeared gradually and only hurt when the 76-year-old pressed on it. But as it continued to grow, her husband encouraged her to get it checked.

Just before Christmas 2024, Pauline saw a dermatologist, who immediately referred her to a surgeon. The lump was removed in January 2025. Tests confirmed it was a type of non-melanoma skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Although the surgeon was confident all the cancer had been removed, he referred Pauline to The Christie to see if she might be suitable for a new clinical trial. The SCC-AFTER study is looking at whether giving radiotherapy after surgery can reduce the chances of high-risk SCC coming back. Currently, hospitals are taking different approaches because it has not yet been clinically tested whether additional treatment helps. Pauline says she feels very fortunate that her cancer was found early. “You never think it’s going to happen to you,” she says. “I’d never been one to lie in the sun or go on hot summer holidays.” When she came to The Christie in 2025, Pauline learned she was eligible to join the trial. She describes this as a huge relief. “I was very pleased to have that opportunity - for myself, my family, and to help others.” The trial randomly allocates patients to either have radiotherapy or close monitoring. Pauline was placed in the radiotherapy group and received ten sessions over two weeks. She describes the treatment as

straightforward, with only minor skin irritation. Her experience of being on the trial was very positive. “The staff were kind, well organised, and thorough,” she says. The team explained each step clearly, and her specialist nurse phoned regularly to check how she was coping. “He really helped me get through all the questionnaires,” she adds. Since finishing treatment, Pauline is recovering well. She says it's reassuring to know she will be followed up on regularly for the next three years. She also feels strongly that taking part in research is worthwhile. “It feels like the right thing to do. Even if I had been put in the monitoring group, I would have been completely comfortable with that. Studies like this are the best way for researchers to understand how to treat cancer.” The experience has made Pauline more sun aware. She now uses factor 50 sunscreen and always wears a hat in the garden. Pauline, who enjoys gardening and crossword puzzles, recently had a big family get-together with 16 relatives.

"I was very pleased to have that opportunity - for myself, my family, and to help others."

Do you have a story to share? We’d love to hear from you, please get in touch at the-christie.press.office@nhs.net

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You Made a Difference Awards

You Made a Difference Awards

At The Christie, we’re proud to celebrate the incredible contributions of our staff and volunteers through our You Made a Difference Awards (YMAD). Here are our recent winners.

Roxana Boaler, Staff Nurse, joined The Christie, Ward 11, in 2017. Colleagues describe her as a dedicated and compassionate nurse who consistently delivers the highest standard of care. Ruth Paterson, Senior Manager, said: “Roxie is a staff nurse that tries to give the patients the best possible experience. As The Christie values say, she makes a difference, connects with people and acts with kindness." Patient, Stephen Booth, said: “On Roxie starting her shift she asked what procedures I had booked. I told her two, she worked tirelessly throughout the day, coordinating everything to make sure I could be discharged. Amazing!”

Aanu Majaro, Receptionist, joined The Christie in January 2025. Her duties involve greeting and assisting visitors, managing incoming calls and correspondence and supporting the smooth operation of the department. She was selected as a YMAD winner for her outstanding ability to connect with patients, treating each individual with warmth, empathy, and professionalism. Her strong communication skills and care help patients feel comfortable and supported, creating a positive experience for all who visit. Our patient, William Kaine, nominated Aanu and had this to say in support: “Aanu has been on reception every day since I have started attending four weeks ago for radiotherapy and she really is an excellent receptionist. Thank you for being there.”

Sean McGagh, Porter, joined The Christie in 2023 and, according to colleagues, immediately became a fundamental part of the team. Sean’s nomination and win were supported by glowing praise. Howard Worgan, Deputy Operational Services Manager, said: “Sean’s portering skills are made all the better because of his conscientiousness and his genuine concern for the wellbeing of everyone around him, both patients and colleagues.” Sean’s calming demeanour puts patients at ease. Recently, he heard an anxious patient struggling to get to Oak Road to meet her family. Despite delivering an item from the lab, Sean stepped in, reassured the patient and offered to walk with her.

Congratulations to all our winners for their exceptional work and the positive impact they continue to have on The Christie community. Please visit christie.nhs.uk/ymad for more details and nominations.

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Around the Trust

Around the Trust

£8m advanced immunotherapy research programme launches at The Christie CAR-T therapy is a type of immunotherapy that is transforming survival prospects for certain patients with blood cancers like lymphoma and leukaemia. However, many experience severe reactions, including Cytokine Release Syndrome, which can be potentially life-threatening. Dr Jon Lim and his team at The Christie and The University of Manchester are working to change this. Building on 30 years of worldwide research, the RISE study aims to help patients better tolerate cutting-edge immunotherapy treatments like CAR-T. The programme plans to recruit up to 100 patients over five years and includes £3.4m in funding from the Medical Research Council, alongside industry support. Dr Lim says: “Funding of this scale is rare, and we’re grateful for the opportunity. It reflects both the complexity of the challenge and the shared hope that this work can genuinely improve patients’ lives. RISE brings together experts from across Manchester to understand how new cancer immunotherapies work, and why they sometimes cause serious side effects. Our ambition is to position the UK as a global leader in research focused on the safe delivery of cell therapies.” Research UK and The University of Manchester, have received a £105k grant from The Christie Charity to develop a blood test that could detect appendix tumours before they appear on a scan. The grant is part of The Christie 2030 Research Programme, the Charity’s commitment to invest £30 million in cancer research by 2030. Dr Raghavendar Nagaraju (Rags), Honorary Research Fellow at The Christie, and his team have collected blood and tumour samples from over 250 patients. The funding will help researchers assess how effective this blood test is, by showing whether it can provide the same key information as a physical tumour sample. The team is looking for two things: the unique ‘fingerprint’ of an appendix tumour, and fragments of tumour DNA that can reveal specific mutations. “The Christie is one of only two hospitals in the country to treat appendix tumours, so to get this money from our own charity means a lot. Treatment for appendix tumours hasn’t changed in decades, and by doing this work, we are looking at a way of spotting this rare cancer quicker and in a less invasive way,” Rags says “This is a collaborative project between scientists, clinicians and patients who have very kindly gifted us their blood and tissue so we can improve outcomes for other people like them in the future.” A new blood test for appendix cancer Appendix cancer researchers at the Manchester Cancer Research Centre, a partnership between The Christie, Cancer

Reflecting on 15 years of the Oak Road Treatment Centre It’s 15 years since the Oak Road Treatment Centre (ORTC) opened, and two colleagues who have been there for many year have been reflecting on how systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) services have grown to support more patients and increasingly complex care at The Christie. Since opening, the centre has delivered around 550,000 treatments, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy and clinical trial care. Maxine Neville has worked at ORTC since it opened and has seen that growth. “We used to schedule standard treatments only, but now we schedule complex regimes for around twice as many patients, and the team has grown to 25 schedulers,” she says. Supporting patients remains central to the work of the unit. Rhona Johnson, Senior SACT Clinical Educator, recalls helping a patient who was worried that treatment would prevent her from attending a family wedding. “I spoke to the doctors and arranged for her to come the following week instead, so she could enjoy the wedding in Ireland.” Despite changes in treatments and technology, Rhona says the experience for patients has remained constant. “One thing I noticed when I started at The Christie was the ‘family feel’ it had. Patients often comment on this, and say they feel listened to here, and that as nurses we really do care."

Oldham in bloom The courtyard garden at The Christie at Oldham has been given a new lease of life, just in time for spring. It’s been beautifully transformed into a peaceful and accessible space for patients, colleagues and visitors to enjoy. Funded by a grant from The William Dean Countryside and Educational Trust, the garden now features improved wheelchair access and vibrant planting designed to bring colour and calm all year round. The new garden was officially opened by the Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Oldham, and it is already being enjoyed again by patients visiting the centre. The Christie at Oldham delivers around 17,000 radiotherapy treatments every year, helping patients across Greater Manchester receive world-class cancer care closer to home.

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The Christie at Macclesfield

With around 23% of the local population aged over 65, the Macclesfield team recognised the need to improve outcomes and experiences for patients with frailty. Led by Dr Victoria Lavin, consultant clinical oncologist, and Amanda Morley, cancer care co-ordinator, the service has supported more than 200 patients.

Supporting patients with frailty at The Christie at Macclesfield As patients and staff mark the fourth anniversary of The Christie at Macclesfield, one of the centre’s key successes has been the frailty service, which supports older, more vulnerable patients.

Patients may have additional needs alongside their cancer diagnosis, such as other health conditions, physical or cognitive decline, complexities caused by numerous medications, or caring responsibilities. A simple frailty score helps identify patients who are referred for a holistic assessment. Most commonly, patients are signposted to support within the centre or referred to community services including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and social care. The service is helping patients maintain independence, complete their cancer treatment and avoid hospital admissions. An audit showed that 93% of frail patients completed all planned radiotherapy, and 61% completed two or more cycles of chemotherapy. Looking ahead, the service will expand in 2026 to provide enhanced support for patients with more complex frailty needs.

Commonly used support services for frail patients: • Counselling • Complementary therapy • Falls prevention • Fatigue management • Adult social care for support at home • Support for carers • Local support groups in the community • Parking permits/blue badge applications • Benefits advice • Nutrition advice and dietitian referrals • Occupational therapy and physiotherapy

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Radiotherapy award

The team was so pleased to win this award as recognition of our efforts, and the other teams we work closely with, to extend access to radiotherapy trials. Julie Webb, Principal Radiographer

Radiotherapy trials team is 'UK Radiography Team of the Year'

The prestigious awards celebrate radiographers who make a real difference to patient care and for The Christie, the win reflects the dedication of a team that collaborates with others to improve the patient experience, while advancing radiotherapy research. The team has transformed access to radiotherapy clinical trials across Greater Manchester and Cheshire by introducing a decentralised model. This means more patients can now take part in trials at local centres in Oldham, Salford and Macclesfield, rather than travelling to our Withington site. As a result, dozens of patients have been able to join potentially life-changing research studies closer to home, making participation more convenient and more inclusive. “We’re so pleased to win this award as recognition of our efforts, and the other teams we work closely with, to extend access to radiotherapy trials. To be acknowledged by our radiography colleagues makes us so proud. We are all passionate about delivering high-quality care. The Christie is a special place to work because of its ‘can-do’ attitude. We all share the goal of improving outcomes and patient experience. Being able to offer research opportunities at our local centres means a great deal to patients. We’ve worked across several disciplines to make this happen,” said Principal Radiographer Julie Webb. The Christie’s radiotherapy clinical trials team is celebrating being named ‘UK Radiography Team of the Year’ by the Society of Radiographers.

The team’s success reflects a commitment to improving diversity in radiotherapy research. By comparing the makeup of participants in clinical trials with those receiving standard treatment, they identified opportunities to expand access to trials. New studies are now being assessed to see whether they can be opened at our other sites, with Christie radiographers travelling from Withington to recruit and consent patients locally where possible. The team is also developing a radiotherapy trials dashboard, to make it easier for patients across the North West to find information about clinical trials. Lee Whiteside, pictured with Julie, has played a crucial part in the team’s success, having been involved in work nationally through a partnership called the Operational Delivery Network, a network of clinical experts who coordinate and improve the quality and access to specialised radiotherapy services. Julie is keen to emphasise the collaborative nature of the work, and how they receive support from Christie colleagues, including the radiotherapy clinical trials physicists, local radiotherapy centre teams in Oldham, Salford and Macclesfield, the specialist proton beam therapy trials team and dedicated radiographers who manage MR-guided radiotherapy trials using our MR-linac machine. In 2026, the team plans to continue expanding access to trials and addressing barriers to ensure more patients benefit from research, both now and in the future.

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Enjoy completing these puzzles just for fun, or to pass the time. If you submit your answers, you might be in with a chance of winning a prize. ? Fancy yourself a puzzle master? To qualify for the draw and a chance to win a Christie Charity bundle, please send a picture of your puzzle page to the-christie.internalcomms@nhs.net Alternatively, cut out your completed puzzle section and post it to WATC editor, The Christie, 2-4 Candleford Road, Withington, Manchester M20 3JH. Entries close on Friday 24 April 2026. Answers available on The Christie website when entries close

Puzzles

Christie crossword

Across 4. Used to lighten hair (6) 6. Online network started at Harvard (8) 8. A red gem (4) 10. Indoor footwear (8) 11. Fearless (8) 12. Good luck wish for an actor (5,1,3) 14. Interlocking toys from Denmark (4) 16. 'David Bowie' for example (5,4)

Down 1. Longest river in the world (4) 2. Traditional stocking-filler (7) 3. Metal containers for waste / shell-shaped crisps (5) 5. Sticky sweet / Everton fan (6) 7. Bram Stoker's creation (5,7) 8. Imaging technique using X-rays or other radiation (11) 9. Endless funds (5,6)

17. Cake decoration (5) 18. Keeps drinks cool (3) 19. Yes, in Paris (3)

13. Better than a birdie (5) 15. A deep, bluish purple (6) 17. Old-fashioned (7)

Christie quiz 1. The Oak Road Treatment Centre opened in which year? A) 2005 B) 2010 C) 2015

Sudoku

2. Which Manchester venue has the largest indoor capacity? A) AO Arena B) Co-op Live C) Victoria Warehouse 3. Which planet has the shortest day in our solar system? A) Earth B) Jupiter C) Mars 4. Which UK city was the first to be awarded European Capital of Culture? A) Glasgow B) Liverpool C) Manchester 5. What was the first feature-length animated film to be released in colour? A) Fantasia B) Bambi C) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs 6. Which animal has fingerprints almost indistinguishable from humans? A) Chimpanzee B) Orangutan C) Koala 7. Which came first? A) The London Underground B) The Eiffel Tower C) The first modern Olympic Games 8. Which word comes from the Greek for ‘fear of long words’? A) Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia B) Sesquipedalian C) Logophobia

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Charity corner

The Christie Charity has partnered with a new exhibition in Manchester next spring featuring over 200 reimagined works by the acclaimed street artist Banksy. ‘The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind’ opens on 13 March 2026 at Depot Mayfield in Manchester city centre and runs until 5 July 2026. The exhibition includes an interactive collection of graffiti, photographs, sculptures, video installations and prints, exclusively reproduced for this special show. A video screen will also highlight key stages of Banksy’s renowned career. Manchester will be the first UK destination for the global exhibition, which has already welcomed over 3.5 million visitors across 36 cities worldwide. Visitors can see recreations of some of Banksy’s most iconic works, including Girl With Balloon, Devolved Parliament, a fully ‘Banksified’ London Underground carriage, and a towering seven-foot elephant installation. The Christie Charity will receive funds from ‘tap to donate’ points at the exhibition, alongside a dedicated charity event on 14 April, sponsored by The DDC Group. DDC Group Founder and Chairman, Jan Trevalyan, is a long term supporter of The Christie Charity. NHS staff can get a Blue Light 18% discount, valid for up to two tickets. Family and concession tickets are also available. For more details and tickets, visit bit.ly/themysteryofbanksychristie

The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind

Clearer futures – a new scanning centre

Nearly every Christie patient will have a CT scan at some point during their treatment. For many, precise treatment planning can mean the difference between life and death.

"This development will enable us to deliver world-leading care for every Christie patient."

Our current CT department is no longer fit for purpose. When it was built in 1980, it saw around 20 patients a day. Today, it is one of the busiest departments in the hospital, seeing more than 15,000 patients each year. We urgently need to build a modern scanning centre to house an advanced 4D CT scanner. This next-generation scanner is faster and more accurate than existing technology. It captures the movement of both tumours and surrounding organs, helping clinicians see how this affects tumour position. This is particularly important for treating cancers near organs that move, such as the heart and lungs. The new centre will be located on Wilmslow Road opposite Cotton Lane.

Professor Jon Bell, Clinical Director of Radiology, said: “This development will enable us to deliver world-leading care for every Christie patient.

Providing the latest imaging equipment isn’t just an upgrade, it’s an investment in precision, life and hope.” Scanning plays a vital role in cancer treatment, but we can’t do this alone. By supporting our new scanning centre appeal, you can help transform care for patients now and in the future. To donate, visit The Christie Charity website or one of our Charity centres in Withington or Macclesfield.

Professor Jon Bell

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