The Christie at Oldham marked 15 years of delivering cancer care this month, celebrating a milestone that has transformed radiotherapy access for thousands of patients across Greater Manchester.

The £17 million treatment centre, funded entirely through donations to The Christie Charity, has delivered approximately 230,000 radiotherapy treatments since opening its doors in 2009. Annual treatments have surged from just over 11,000 in 2010 to around 17,000 in 2024, supported by a recent £6.3 million investment that replaced two radiotherapy machines and a scanner in 2022.

Lead radiographer Julie Davies, who has managed the 38-strong team since inception, emphasized the centre’s community focus. “Being able to access radiotherapy and other services like the art room locally, rather than having to travel to Withington, means a great deal to our patients,” she said. The centre’s outreach includes coffee mornings, school visits, and support for local food banks while offering expanded services from complementary therapies to drop-in art classes funded by The Christie Charity.

Michelle Hardiman, 61, who received breast cancer treatment at the facility, became the first participant in the new art sessions. “The thing that really stood out to me at The Christie is how they treat you as a whole person, not just a set of symptoms,” said Hardiman, a part-time mental health practitioner. “You meet people who are going through something similar and who understand how cancer makes you feel.”

The Oldham centre pioneered The Christie’s local care strategy, which now includes radiotherapy facilities in Salford and Macclesfield, plus chemotherapy and immunotherapy services at over 10 locations across Greater Manchester, Cheshire, and Derbyshire.

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