Jack makes history as centre’s first patient

FIRST patient . . . Jack Horrocks is the first patient to be treated at Oldham’s Christie radiotherapy centre. Also pictured are radiographer Melissa Woodward (left) and consultant Jac Livsey

£17m cancer unit now up and running

A GRANDFATHER of four became the first patient to be treated at Oldham’s state-of-the-art £17million Christie radiotherapy centre.

Jack Horrocks was diagnosed with prostate cancer last October and began four weeks of treatment at the new centre yesterday.

The centre is the first in a unique network of radiotherapy facilities which allow cancer patients to get vital treatment closer to home.

Mr Horrocks (73), from Rochdale, said: “When I was diagnosed with cancer, my first thought was right, let’s just get on with it — but the thought of having to drive to south Manchester every day was something I was dreading.

“Now I’ll be driving just 10 minutes down the road. It couldn’t be easier and after my treatment I am looking forward to getting back out on the golf course.”

The centre, which is the first of its kind in the UK, took 18 months to build.

Chronicle readers raised £100,000 towards the project.

Dr Chris Harrison, medical director at The Christie, said: “The Christie is leading the way with ambitious plans to deliver cancer care closer to people’s homes.

“The new unit will undoubtedly have tremendous benefits for our patients, who will be able to access the highest standards of Christie care, using the very latest technology much more conveniently.”

The interior is bright and welcoming and a tranquil garden area has been designed to take patients’ minds off their treatment.

Two treatment rooms house high-tech £1.3 million linear accelerators which are used to deliver radiotherapy.

The treatment process which takes around 15 to 20 minutes. A total of 70 patients will be treated at the centre each day.

Caroline Shaw, chief executive at The Christie, said: “I am delighted that our ambition to bring Christie cancer care closer to people’s homes has been realised.

“We have been treating patients at our main site in south Manchester for more than 100 years and now, for the first time ever, we will be delivering radiotherapy closer to home.

“This centre will transform treatment for cancer patients in this area and we are proud to call Oldham our second home.”

The centre will initially provide treatment for breast and prostate cancer before expanding to treat other types.

A second Christie radiotherapy centre is currently being built at Salford Royal Hospital and will open in 2011.