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| Chief Executive Caroline Shaw unveils the new name: The Christie |
The world famous Christie Hospital has today (22 September 2008) announced a historic name change.
As of today the Christie Hospital will simply be known as The Christie following a widespread public consultation over several months, during which more than 4,000 people have contacted the famous specialist cancer centre with their views – believed to be the biggest response ever for a consultation by a hospital looking to change its name.
It is the first time in its 107 year history that the hospital’s name has changed, to better reflect the full range of work that it undertakes. The Christie Hospital was established in 1901 and named after Richard Copley Christie and his wife who were pivotal in establishing the cancer centre.
Plans to develop The Christie as a world-class cancer centre over the next five years include new £17 million radiotherapy centres in other parts of the region – the first network of its kind in the UK which will ensure patients can receive high quality Christie care, but closer to their homes. The first is currently being built in Oldham and will be followed by a second in Salford. A new £35 million patient treatment centre which will include the largest early clinical trials unit in the world is also due to open in 2010. The plans are part of The Christie five year strategy 2008 – 2013.
The introduction of the new name will be introduced at minimal cost (around £7,000). Everything electronic that features the name, such as the website and patient letters, will change immediately at no cost. Staff have been running down all printed materials, but new supplies will only be ordered once existing ones have run out. Main signage will be reset or replaced slowly on a phased basis.
The new name was approved at The Christie’s annual members’ meeting and by Monitor, our independent regulator. Respondents to the consultation included MPs, business leaders, chief executives of other organizations, patients, fundraisers, staff and the general public. Of the 4,000 who gave their preference, 77% supported a name change with over a third of those choosing The Christie.
Caroline Shaw, Chief Executive, said: “When we started our consultation, we were very clear that we would never lose the word ‘Christie’ – as this has been synonymous with cancer care in the region for more than 100 years. This has been proven by the tremendous public response we’ve had and we thank everyone who has taken the time to give their views. This is a strong name which symbolizes who we are and what we do. We are more than a hospital, but so much more as we embark on an exciting era to become a world class lead in cancer care.”
