Published on 19 July 2026
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a significant step forward in a shared ambition to bring more specialist cancer care closer to home for local people.
The agreement sets out plans to develop a new stand-alone ambulatory cancer unit as part of the new Leighton Hospital, creating a Christie Neighbourhood Cancer Centre. This would enable patients across Mid Cheshire to access high-quality cancer treatment locally, delivered by The Christie, while remaining close to their families, friends and support networks.
For many patients, this would reduce the need to travel to The Christie’s Withington site in South Manchester, for routine ambulatory cancer care, helping to lessen the physical, emotional and practical burden that frequent hospital visits can bring.
The proposed centre forms an important part of Mid Cheshire Hospitals’ wider Healthier Futures programme and the long-term ambition to create a health and care neighbourhood at Leighton Hospital. This approach brings services together around what matters most to local communities and supports more joined‑up, accessible care.
Mid Cheshire Hospitals and The Christie have a long-standing partnership, with the two organisations already working closely together to deliver cancer services for the local population. This includes shared specialist leadership in key services, ensuring patients benefit from The Christie’s expertise while continuing to receive care locally at Leighton Hospital. Building on this established relationship, the MoU provides a strong foundation for the next phase of collaboration, focused on improving access, experience and outcomes for people affected by cancer across Mid Cheshire.
Read more here: MCHFT and The Christie join forces to bring specialist cancer care to Crewe :: Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust