The Christie and Leighton Hospital have signed a memorandum of understanding, marking a “significant” step forward in a shared ambition to bring more specialist cancer care closer to home for local people.
The agreement between The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust sets out plans to develop a new standalone ambulatory cancer unit as part of the new Leighton Hospital, creating a Christie Neighbourhood Cancer Centre.
This would enable patients across Mid Cheshire to access high-quality cancer treatment locally, delivered by The Christie, while remaining close to their families, friends and support networks.
For many patients, this would reduce the need to travel to The Christie’s Withington site in South Manchester, for routine ambulatory cancer care, helping to lessen the physical, emotional and practical burden that frequent hospital visits can bring.
The Christie also has a centre at Macclesfield.
The new centre is part of The Christie’s long-term plan to bring as much treatment and care away from its Withington site and into the community as possible.
The Christie and Mid Cheshire Hospitals have a long-standing partnership, with the two organisations already working closely together to deliver cancer services for the local population.
This includes shared specialist leadership in key services, ensuring patients benefit from The Christie’s expertise while continuing to receive care locally at Leighton Hospital.
Building on this established relationship, the next phase of collaboration will focus on improving access, experience and outcomes for people affected by cancer across Mid Cheshire.
Dr Neil Bayman, medical director and deputy chief executive of The Christie trust, said: “This agreement is a very exciting step and demonstrates what can be achieved when organisations work together with a shared purpose.
“We are proud to be building on our strong relationship with Mid Cheshire to develop a Christie Neighbourhood Cancer Centre that brings specialist cancer care closer to people’s homes in line with our neighbourhood oncology model.
“The signing of the memorandum of understanding is an important first step. We will now continue to work closely with Mid Cheshire Hospitals, alongside partners and patients, to develop the detailed plans and take the next stages forward.”
Dr Clare Hammell, chief medical officer and deputy chief executive at Mid Cheshire Hospitals, said: “This is a hugely positive moment for our trust and our local communities.
“Our Healthier Futures plans have always included bringing a new and more developed ambulatory cancer unit to Leighton Hospital, as part of our commitment to delivering more care closer to home.
“Continued close working with The Christie gives us a fantastic opportunity to improve access to specialist, life-saving treatment and to create a more joined-up experience for patients and families.
“This partnership also reflects the direction of travel for the NHS nationally – working across organisations to improve cancer care, reduce inequalities and make services more accessible. The Christie Neighbourhood Cancer Centre shows how national ambitions can be turned into practical, local improvements for patients.”
