The Christie: A History of Cancer Care and Radiotherapy Innovation
The Christie stands as a cornerstone of oncological care, evolving from a modest pavilion in the late 19th century into a world-renowned center for cancer treatment. Its journey is marked by a commitment to pioneering technology—from the early days of radium to the modern era of proton therapy—and a legacy of philanthropic support that continues to drive its mission today.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1892 as the Cancer Pavilion and Home in Rusholme.
- Unique Status: It was the first hospital outside London dedicated exclusively to cancer treatment.
- Innovation: Established the first centralized radiotherapy service in Manchester.
- Modern Milestone: Launched a state-of-the-art proton therapy center in December 2018.
- Infrastructure: Recently replaced the historic Paterson Building with a new £150m facility in 2024.
Beginnings at Oxford Road (1892–1901)
The origins of The Christie date back to a bequest from Sir Joseph Whitworth, whose funds were used to purchase land in Rusholme. In 1892, the Cancer Pavilion and Home was established. The site was strategically located near Owens College (a predecessor to The University of Manchester), which eventually grew into the Oxford Road Campus, the current headquarters of the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.
The founding committee was chaired by Richard Copley Christie, a close friend of Whitworth. The institution's early financial stability was further bolstered by a £10,000 donation from the will of Mr. Daniel Proctor. This tradition of legacy giving persists today through The Christie Charity. Following the death of Richard Copley Christie, the institution was renamed The Christie Hospital in 1901.
By 1928, the hospital had become a vital medical hub, treating 374 inpatients and over 7,000 outpatients with radium treatment.
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The Introduction of Radium Therapy (1901–1932)
The early 20th century saw The Christie embrace the emerging field of radiation. In 1901, Dr. Robert Biggs Wild secured £50 for X-ray equipment to test its efficacy, inspired by results from London and the work of Professor Arthur Schuster at Owens College. While these early X-ray efforts ceased by 1907, Dr. Wild shifted his focus to radium therapy—the use of radioactive radium to treat tumors—experimenting on three patients by 1905.
Due to the high cost of radium, a major fundraising campaign was launched in 1914 by Sir William Milligan via the Manchester Guardian. Guided by the eminent scientist Ernest Rutherford, the campaign sought £25,000. Following a contribution of £2,000 from Sir Edward Holt and the organization of "radium days" supported by the Lord Mayor, the Manchester and District Radium Institute was established. Initially housed at the Manchester Royal Infirmary, it moved to Nelson Street in 1921. This move established Manchester as the first provider of a centralized radiotherapy service, contrasting with the fragmented provision found in London.
Expansion to Withington (1932–1991)
In 1932, The Christie Hospital and the Holt Radium Institute relocated to a joint site on Wilmslow Road in Withington, officially opened by Lord Derby. While they operated jointly from this point, a formal merger was not finalized until 1946. The hospital subsequently became part of the National Health Service (NHS) in 1948.
The institution's global reputation grew under the leadership of Ralston Paterson, appointed Director of the Radium Institute in 1931. Alongside his wife, Edith Paterson—an expert in radiation biology (the study of the action of ionizing radiation on living things)—he transformed the center into a world-recognized facility. Their contributions were honored in 1966 with the construction of the Paterson Building.
The Christie also played a role in public education. In 1958, the BBC program Your Life In Their Hands featured Ralston Paterson and Marjorie Pearce demonstrating an early linear accelerator (a device that accelerates charged particles to high energies for cancer treatment). While the show aimed to educate the public, its level of detail sparked some controversy within the medical community.
Following Paterson's retirement, Professor Eric Craig Easson CBE served as Director from 1962 until 1979.
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The NHS Trust Era (1991–Present)
Legislative changes in the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 led to the formation of The Christie Hospital NHS Trust, which later became The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in 2007. The trust has been led by various chairs, including Jim Martin, Baron Bradley, and Christine Outram (who served until 2023).
The trust faced governance challenges in 2013 and 2014, resulting in the resignations of Chief Executive Caroline Shaw CBE and Baron Bradley following investigations into expense claims and governance.
Technological advancement remained a priority. In 2012, plans were announced for a proton therapy center—a precise form of radiation that minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissue. The equipment arrived in 2017, and the first patients were treated in December 2018.
In 2017, a significant fire damaged the original Paterson Building. This led to the construction of a new £150m Paterson Building, which was opened in 2024 by Sir Paul Nurse, with descendants of the Patersons in attendance.
| Period | Entity Name / Key Milestone | Primary Focus/Development |
|---|---|---|
| 1892–1901 | Cancer Pavilion and Home | Foundation in Rusholme; first dedicated cancer hospital outside London. |
| 1901–1932 | The Christie Hospital / Radium Institute | Introduction of X-rays and centralized radium therapy. |
| 1932–1991 | The Christie at Withington | Merger of hospital and institute; integration into the NHS (1948). |
| 1991–Present | The Christie NHS Foundation Trust | Modernization, proton therapy (2018), and new Paterson Building (2024). |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded The Christie?
The hospital was founded in 1892 using a bequest from Sir Joseph Whitworth, with Richard Copley Christie serving as the chairman of the founding committee.
What was the significance of the "radium days"?
Radium days were fundraising events organized with the help of the Lord Mayor to raise £25,000 for radium treatment, leading to the creation of the Manchester and District Radium Institute.
What is proton therapy and when did it start at The Christie?
Proton therapy is an advanced form of radiation treatment. The Christie's proton therapy center began treating its first patients in December 2018.
Who were Ralston and Edith Paterson?
Ralston Paterson was the Director of the Radium Institute who built the center's global reputation, and Edith Paterson was a pioneering expert in radiation biology. The Paterson Building is named in their honor.
Why was a new Paterson Building constructed in 2024?
The original Paterson Building was significantly damaged by a large fire in 2017, necessitating the construction of a new £150m facility.