The Christie, Manchester’s specialist cancer centre, has made history by appointing what is believed to be the world’s first fully-funded trainee integrative therapist, marking a major step forward in the future of complementary therapy in cancer care.
48-year-old Anthony Preston, from Stockport, began his 12-month training programme in April 2025. The role is designed to address recruitment challenges and ensure a sustainable model for integrative therapies at The Christie, where complementary treatments are fully embedded in clinical practice.
The integrative therapies service offers a wide range of support to patients undergoing cancer treatment, including:
- Reflexology
- Massage
- Aromatherapy
- Hypnotherapy
- Acupuncture and acupressure
- Therapeutic touch
- Creative visualisation
These therapies help ease pain, anxiety, trauma, claustrophobia, and other stressors linked to cancer treatment, especially for patients undergoing complex or prolonged procedures.
Anthony’s training involves hands-on delivery and observation across all areas of the service. Each day begins with a triage handover, followed by therapy sessions in wards and outpatient areas.
Eileen Hackman, Clinical Lead for Integrative Therapy at The Christie, commented:
“Due to funding cuts, many colleges and universities are no longer offering training, diploma, or degree courses in complementary therapy. At the same time, applications to our therapist posts have been falling, and many candidates applying had passion and skills but lacked the necessary oncology experience.
“Working with oncology patients requires specialist knowledge, skills, and experience, so our eligibility criteria had to reflect that. We needed a new route to build a sustainable workforce for the future.”
“This could be the beginning of a new approach to workforce development in integrative healthcare and perhaps even a nationally funded apprenticeship programme. Being the first of anything has its pressures, but the beauty is that it's a blank canvas to create something meaningful and useful."
“The trainee therapist project is something I’ve dreamed of for some time. It’s amazing to see it come to fruition.”
The creation of this role responds to a decline in educational pathways into complementary therapy and the limitations of volunteer-based entry routes, which are no longer viable due to NHS confidentiality requirements.
The Christie received over 50 applications for the single post, with 16 shortlisted candidates attending an innovative recruitment event in January 2025.
This pioneering initiative reflects The Christie’s long-term commitment to holistic cancer care, ensuring patients receive both clinical and emotional support throughout their treatment journey.
Image credit: iStock
