A NEW £23 million cancer centre is about to open in Cheshire offering patients specialist treatment closer to home.

The new Christie at Macclesfield will welcome its first patients on Monday, December 13, when services currently provided at the Macmillan Cancer Resource Centre will be transferred.

Janet Parkinson, Macmillan support and information manager said: “The opening of the new Christie centre will transform the way our local population access care, treatment and support closer to home and we are delighted to be part of this exciting journey.

“We would like to reassure our service users that the team will continue to support and care for patients and families as they always have done.

Patients, family members and carers will continue to have access to specialist nurses at the new state of the art cancer centre.

John Hunter, medical director at East Cheshire NHS Trust said: “The Macmillan Centre has played a huge part in the successful delivery of cancer care within East Cheshire since 2003 and we’d like to acknowledge the incredible dedication and commitment of the team over the years.”

Bernie Delahoyde, chief operating Officer at The Christie said: “The Christie will provide care closer to home for more than 1,500 patients a year.

The Christie at Macclesfield will accommodate 46,000 patient visits every year

The Christie at Macclesfield will accommodate 46,000 patient visits every year

"We will bring together essential cancer services into one purpose-built centre delivering local specialist access to radiotherapy, chemotherapy, haematology, holistic support and information services, outpatient care, palliative care and a wider range of clinical trials than at present.

“The Christie at Macclesfield will accommodate 46,000 patient visits per year including 12,500 radiotherapy treatments and around 6,800 chemotherapy and haematology treatments.

"We are delighted to be welcoming many highly talented and professional cancer specialists who are transferring from East Cheshire NHS Trust to The Christie when we open.”

Services will encompass oncology, chemotherapy, radiotherapy haematology and ongoing support.

All Christie patients, carers and health professionals have access to a 24-hour nurse-led telephone service on 0161 446 3658 for advice or management on the side effects and complications of cancer treatments.

The Macmillan Support Line is still available for anyone in the community who is affected by cancer.