Radiotherapy centre celebrates 15 years of cancer care for Salford

The Christie at Salford, one of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust’s radiotherapy treatment centres, celebrates its 15th birthday this July. 

Since opening in 2011, the centre’s team of radiographers, support workers, nurses, clinicians, engineers, physicists, and admin staff have treated more than 19,000 patients.

Patients across Greater Manchester and the surrounding areas could previously only receive radiotherapy at The Christie’s site in Withington, south Manchester. Basing one of its radiotherapy centres at Salford Royal Hospital has helped the trust reduce patient travel to receive treatment.

'An environment that is welcoming and friendly'

Jemma Shardlow, lead Therapeutic Radiographer at The Christie at Salford, said: “Reaching our 15th anniversary is a proud moment for the entire team. When we opened our doors in 2011, our mission was to bring radiotherapy treatment closer to the people of Salford and the surrounding areas. We aim to offer patients an environment that is welcoming and friendly, where they feel supported at every stage of their treatment.

“Over the past 15 years, we’ve had the privilege of caring for thousands of patients and their families during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. This milestone also belongs to our incredible staff, whose compassion and dedication shine through every single day. We remain committed to delivering exceptional care for many years to come.”

The Christie at Salford centre cost £18m and was funded by donations to The Christie Charity, and a further £6m of equipment was invested between 2022 and 2024 to replace two linear accelerators and a CT scanner. 

In its first 12 months of operation, the centre treated 760 patients, rising to 1,650 in 2025. 

As well as treating common cancers, the Christie at Salford is equipped to deliver stereotactic radiosurgery. 

'The radiographers really put me at ease'

Patient Katie Greenwood shared her experience of receiving radiotherapy for breast cancer at the Christie at Salford.

After finding a lump in her breast and being referred for a mammogram, a biopsy, and two ultrasounds, Katie was told she had breast cancer, and sent on to the Christie at Salford. She found out her cancer was aggressive but “highly treatable”, and that she would need chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy and hormone therapy.

However, the team at The Christie helped her to regain some control at an overwhelming and difficult time, she added.

Katie said: “Radiotherapy can make you feel quite vulnerable, but the radiographers really put me at ease, and I can’t thank them enough for that. I had 15 sessions and began to look forward to seeing who was treating me as they were all so lovely. It takes a special kind of person to work in cancer care, and everyone I came across at The Christie was great.”

(Image: Christie at Salford Royal radiotherapy team, via the Christie NHS Foundation Trust)