First patient treated at Christie radiotherapy centre in Oldham

The Christie, one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, received national praise as it opened its new radiotherapy centre in Oldham – the first facility of its kind in the UK.

The £17 million centre, is the first in a unique network of Christie radiotherapy centres, where cancer patients from Oldham and the surrounding areas will be able to access first class radiotherapy treatment closer to home.

Previously patients across Greater Manchester could only access radiotherapy at The Christie’s main site in South Manchester. Cancer patients receive radiotherapy treatment on a daily basis as an outpatient – a grueling three-hour round trip for many people for a month or longer.

The new centre will treat 70 patients a day with two state-of-the-art £1.3 million radiotherapy machines – the most advanced of their kind in the world. It is based at The Royal Oldham Hospital and will save local patients from Bury, Middleton, north Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale and parts of Tameside the equivalent of travelling to the moon and back.

First patient Jack Horrocks, 73, from Rochdale, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in October 2009 and began his four weeks of radiotherapy treatment at the new centre on 16th March.

Jack, a grandfather-of-four, said; “When I was diagnosed with cancer my first thought was right let’s just get on with it – but the thought of having to drive to south Manchester every day for weeks was something I was dreading.

“Now I’ll be driving just 10 minutes down the road. It couldn’t be easier and after my treatment I am looking forward to getting back out on the golf course.”

Dr Chris Harrison, medical director at The Christie, said; “This is the first radiotherapy facility of its kind in the UK and The Christie is leading the way with ambitious plans to deliver cancer care closer to people’s homes.

“This new unit will undoubtedly have tremendous benefits for our patients, who will be able to access the highest standards of Christie care, using the very latest technology, much more conveniently.”

The National Cancer Director, Professor Mike Richards, said; “The Christie is a well renowned centre for its first-class services, and its new radiotherapy centre will make a tremendous difference to patients in and around Oldham. This is exactly how we should be moving forward in transforming cancer treatment and care.”

Caroline Shaw, chief executive at The Christie, said; “I am delighted that our ambition to bring Christie cancer care closer to people’s homes has been realised today.

“We have been treating patients at our main site in south Manchester for more than 100 years and from today, for the first time ever, we will be delivering radiotherapy closer to people’s homes.

“This centre will transform treatment for cancer patients in this area and we are proud to call Oldham our second home.”

John Jesky, chairman of The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs The Royal Oldham Hospital, said; “The new Christie centre at Oldham is an exciting and significant development. Being the first radiotherapy facility of its kind in the UK, the centre demonstrates a close partnership and joint venture between The Pennine Acute Hospital Trust and The Christie and shows what can be achieved by the NHS in focusing on putting patient’s needs first.

“On behalf of the Pennine Acute Trust Board, I would like to welcome The Christie and its staff to The Royal Oldham Hospital and look forward to a long and close working relationship."