Christie patients share their aspirations for improving cancer care

Cancer patients from across the North West are sharing their experiences in a new series of films from The Christie, highlighting how cancer care could improve in the future through better use of information, technology and more connected services.

The Future Christie and Me film series features patients from across the region, including Lynn Thompson from Chorlton, Asia Sharif from Manchester, Claudia Boardman from Northwich, Jon Roe from Knutsford and Robin Edwards from Buxton.

Together, they offer personal perspectives on how care could become more joined-up, accessible and personalised for future patients, particularly through the use of technology and digital healthcare tools.

The films support Future Christie, a major ten-year transformation programme focused on improving patient experience and supporting staff through better use of information, data and digital systems.

One of the patients featured is Jon Roe from Knutsford, who was diagnosed with the rare cancer pseudomyxoma peritonei in 2017 and underwent complex surgery at The Christie. He continues to attend regular follow-up appointments and is now back to enjoying an active lifestyle.

Jon talks about the importance of good communication, receiving test results promptly and the reassurance that comes from clinicians having access to the information they need when caring for patients.

With a background in telecommunications, he believes technology has an important role to play in improving care, provided it supports rather than replaces human interaction.

Outside of treatment, Jon enjoys waterskiing, climbing and cycling.

Also featured is Lynn Thompson, who has been living with ovarian cancer since 2017 and continues to receive ongoing treatment and monitoring at The Christie.

As someone who regularly attends appointments, scans and consultations, Lynn understands how important it is for patients and staff to have access to the right information at the right time.

Lynn Thompson said:

“It would be fantastic to have one platform where all clinical staff can access up-to-date information. That way patients don’t have to keep repeating themselves.”

For Lynn, the greatest benefit of improved technology is not the technology itself, but the difference it could make to day-to-day care.

She explained:

“An up-to-date patient record system could give clinical staff more time for face-to-face conversations. When you’re living with cancer, those conversations really matter.”

She also believes better-connected systems could help reduce some of the practical frustrations patients experience during treatment.

Lynn added:

“I hope the correct use of technology will reduce waiting times in clinic or avoid spending hours in hospital for something like a blood test,”

Lynn welcomes plans to improve how patients access information about their care.

She went on to say:

“I want to be able to access up-to-date information online,” 

Living with cancer remains part of Lynn's life, but she continues to plan for the future and enjoys spending time with her husband and travelling whenever possible.

She hopes the changes being explored through Future Christie will make the experience of care easier for future patients.

Lynn concluded:

“If using new health technology can help people feel more informed, more supported and less anxious, then it’s worth doing,”

The series also includes Claudia Boardman, a midwife originally from Blackburn who underwent intensive cancer treatment as a young adult; Asia Sharif, a Manchester software engineer recovering from stage 4 lymphoma after chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a stem cell transplant; Robin Edwards from Buxton, who speaks about the importance of easy access to information while living with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia; and Jon Roe from Knutsford, who reflects on the reassurance that comes from care teams having access to the information they need when treating patients.

Collectively, the films explore how improvements in information-sharing, digital systems and communication could help make care feel more connected and personalised, while ensuring that compassionate human care remains at the centre of every patient experience.

About The Christie:

• The Christie is a specialist cancer centre in Manchester and has more than 120 years of expertise in cancer care, research and education. It is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, looking after more than 64,000 patients a year.
• It is the largest provider of radiotherapy in the NHS (including high energy proton beam therapy and MR guided radiotherapy); it is home to the largest chemotherapy unit in the UK; and is a specialist surgical centre concentrating on rare cancers and complex procedures.
• The Christie is one of Europe's largest experimental cancer medicine centres with around 700 clinical studies ongoing at any one time and more than 3,000 patients.
• The Christie Charity provides enhanced services for patients over and above what the NHS funds.

Visit www.christie.nhs.uk to find out more or follow The Christie on social media @TheChristieNHS

Pictured - Jon Roe from Knutsford.

The Future Christie and Me film series are available to watch at:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLCq316TpJP8