World-class christie research centre to rise out of fire ashes
PLANS ANNOUNCED FOR MULTI-MILLION POUND FACILITY AT THE LEADING CANCER HOSPITAL
A CANCER research centre at The Christie that was destroyed by a fire is to be bulldozed and replaced with a new multi-million pound facility, health chiefs have confirmed.
It has been almost a year since flames ripped through the Paterson Building on Wilmslow Road in Withington after a blaze started on the roof.
More than 100 firefighters were scrambled to the facility during the incident last April.
Years of valuable research and key equipment were lost, and more than 300 scientists and support staff were displaced.
Within days, tens of thousands of pounds had been raised for Cancer Research UK to help rebuild it.
Today, ‘bold and exciting’ plans were announced for a new stateof-the-art facility which will be built on the site of the former Paterson Building.
The development – which aims to be complete by 2021 – will be led by The Christie on behalf of the Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC), a world renowned partnership between the NHS trust, The University of Manchester and Cancer Research UK.
As well as housing the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, it’s hoped the new facility will be a major step in making MCRC one of the world’s top-five centres for basic, translational and clinical cancer research.
Manchester is already a world scientific lead in cancer biomarkers, the molecular targeting of cancer, early-phase clinical trials and cutting-edge radiotherapy, including the opening of one of only two NHS high energy proton beam therapy centres in the UK later this year.
Roger Spencer, chief executive of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This is a hugely exciting time for The Christie.
“We have an opportunity to create a truly unique research centre integrated within the hospital with scientists, researchers and consultants all working together in one place, developing and shaping treatment and research from basic scientific discoveries through to patient care.
“It will ensure our patients receive access to the latest personalised and innovative cancer treatments alongside world-class clinical and scientific expertise.”
Cancer Research UK chief executive, Sir Harpal Kumar, added: “Manchester researchers and scientists in our Institute and Centre have faced a tough 11 months following the devastating fire. But we are now delighted to announce proposals to build this state-of-the-art facility which will create exciting opportunities for breakthroughs and future discoveries in cancer research.” Prof Richard Marais, director of the CRUK Manchester Institute, said: “I am delighted that the new building will house the CRUK Manchester Institute. Our worldleading scientists are working to understand cancer biology and the discoveries they make will drive development of the diagnostic tests and cancer treatments of the future.
“The new building will bring these scientists together with cancer patients and the doctors, nurses and other clinical staff who are treating them.
“This will generate a creative environment in which cuttingedge discoveries are rapidly translated into clinical practice, resulting in improved treatments for cancer patients.”