We are The Christie magazine - Edition 6

Around the Trust

Around the Trust

One year of haematology at Leighton The Christie is marking one year since taking on the clinical haematology service at Leighton Hospital, bringing care closer to patients across mid and south Cheshire. Since April 2025, patients have continued to receive their treatment locally in Crewe, supported by a dedicated team of consultant haematologists, advanced clinical practitioners and clinical nurse specialists based at Leighton Hospital. One of those patients is Sharan Bannaghan, a hairdresser from Sandbach. She was first diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2023 and went into remission, before being diagnosed again in 2025. Following further treatment, including a stem cell transplant at The Christie in Withington, her most recent scan has shown no evidence of cancer. Sharan now attends Leighton Hospital every six weeks for follow-up care. She said: “My experience at Leighton has been amazing. My consultant, Dr Georgina Talbot, is fantastic and has made this experience much easier to deal with. All the staff are warm and friendly, and the chemotherapy nurses really put me at ease at such a stressful time.” Over the past year, the team has delivered around 1,000 new outpatient appointments and 10,000 follow-ups, alongside more than 3,500 treatments.

Integrative therapies pioneer retires For more than three decades, Jacqui Stringer has helped transform cancer care at The Christie through integrative therapies. Jacqui joined The Christie in the early 1990s, working on the adult leukaemia unit. At that time, patients receiving chemotherapy often spent weeks in isolation, with limited contact and significant physical and emotional strain. She began exploring whether approaches such as massage and touch could reduce symptoms, including pain, anxiety and muscle cramps. “At the start, complementary therapies were seen as a nice extra. But for some patients, they are not optional. They can be an integral part of helping them through treatment safely.” What began as a small, nurse-led initiative grew into a pioneering integrative therapy service. Working with clinical and microbiology colleagues, Jacqui ensured that treatments using essential oils were evidence-based, carefully risk-assessed and aligned with clinical governance - demonstrating that integrative therapies could stabilise some patients enough for cancer treatment to go ahead. Today, The Christie’s integrative therapy service is internationally recognised. Reflecting on her career, Jacqui said “Cancer treatment is incredibly challenging. Making that journey more manageable for patients, that is what matters most." Patients who may benefit from integrative therapy can ask their clinical team about referral options.

Oldham patient benefits from faster cancer treatment A retired nurse is benefitting from a new way of receiving cancer treatment that takes minutes instead of hours.

Rosemary Andrew was diagnosed with kidney cancer in June 2022 after experiencing symptoms including blood in her urine, weight loss, and tiredness. She had surgery to remove a kidney and was referred to The Christie for ongoing treatment. Rosemary began immunotherapy, initially delivered through a drip into a vein, which could take at least an hour. Since November 2025, she has been receiving nivolumab as a quick injection under the skin at Dr Kershaw’s Hospice in Royton. Her appointment now takes around 10 minutes. “It’s faster and more convenient. It means less time in a clinical setting and more time doing the things I relish, including volunteering with Age UK, reading, watching football and spending time with my family.” she says. Rosemary, who has two daughters, three grandchildren and three great-granddaughters, continues to respond well to treatment. Her latest scan shows no measurable disease. “I feel very lucky to be under The Christie’s care.”

Digital clinical placements The Christie Institute for Cancer Education has developed an innovative approach to workforce learning through digital clinical placements, known as the Manchester model. Over the past five years, the programme has connected cancer experts with 5,000 learners and delivered over 10,000 placement weeks. It supports nurses and allied health professionals across various specialities, helping widen access to cancer education and reduce inequalities in learning opportunities. Grounded in trauma-informed coaching, the model recognises how personal experience can shape the care people provide. Developed with input from patients, professionals and wider stakeholders, it focuses on inclusion, wellbeing and the full cancer care pathway. The work was also recognised at this year’s Greater Manchester Cancer Awards, winning the Educational Impact award.

15