More people in Bolton undergoing cancer treatment can now have their bloods tests done locally after the service doubled in size
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust runs a weekly bloods clinic at Bolton Hospice – meaning patients who need regular blood tests during cancer treatment can be spared a longer journey to South Manchester.
The bloods service started at Bolton Hospice in 2019 as part of a project to allow more patients to access cancer care locally.
Funded by The Christie Charity, it has now increasd its capacity from seeing 36 patients to 72 every Monday.
Since 2013, The Christie has been developing Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy outreach services in hospitals, hospices and health centres across Greater Manchester to bring care closer to home for patients, helping to make thousands of lives easier.
One patient who is hugely benefiting from the service is Phil Mitchell of Stoneclough.
The 72-year-old was first treated in 2017 for melanoma of the eye.
Unfortunately last year, he discovered the melanoma had spread to his brain, hip and the muscle mass of his thigh.
Having been referred to The Christie, Phil had been taking part in a clinical trial that involves two hospital visits a week at the specialist cancer centre in Withington, Manchester.
But thanks to the expansion of the Bolton service, Phil is now able to receive the blood tests at Bolton Hospice, halving the amount of trips he needs to make to Manchester and giving him more time to spend with his wife Katrina at their caravan in Blackpool.
He said: “I appreciate everything that is done at The Christie, but it can be quite disruptive with all the travel. The new clinic at Bolton is marvellous.
"I’m in and out in matter of minutes which means I get on with other things instead of spending hours on the motorway – they’re saving my life but also making sure it’s a life I can enjoy and I’m very grateful.”
The Christie’s lead nurse for outpatient and phlebotomy services, Joanne Roberts, said: "Thanks to the 2019 pilot, we now plan to open 20 new clinics to reach the people most in need, hopefully reaching 1,000 people per week through the local service.
"The service at Bolton Hospice is a great example of how we have been able to increase the offering for patients, really benefiting patients like Phil.
"In the long-term, we hope this service can be offered to all patients. We are now working to increase our capacity by relocating and recruiting more staff."
To learn more about The Christie and the work they do, visit: https://www.christie.nhs.uk/
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