Frequently asked questions

Why did I have to wait for a bed when I came in for an admission?

If you are coming to The Christie for an inpatient stay we will send you a letter asking you to book in at our Oak Road reception. Appointments are usually early in the day. This is because nearly all patients need to have a blood test, wait for the results to come through, then see the doctor for an examination - all before getting a bed on a ward. Occasionally, the blood results show that patients are not well enough to have treatment that day and they may need to come back later.

• The type of treatment you are having (surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy) and whether there is a suitable place on a ward for you. This is why some patients, who book in later than you, get a bed before you. For example, a patient due for surgery that day might go straight to the surgical unit because there are beds free.
• When a male or female bed becomes available. Some wards are just for men or women, but most are arranged in four-bed bays. We are a very busy hospital and most beds are occupied - so there can be a wait until a bed becomes free. Overnight, there can be emergency admissions from patients needing urgent treatment - and these take priority.

There can be delays when the patient occupying a bed cannot be discharged in the morning because they are:

• Unable to leave hospital as scheduled because they are unexpectedly poorly
• Waiting to see the doctor before being discharged
• Waiting for treatment or medication to finish
• Waiting for transport home or transfer to another hospital.

We regret that you may have to wait several hours in our Oak Road reception or the admissions lounge on Oak House. But we hope you agree that it's better to try and book you in as soon as possible, even though this can mean some delays.

I am having trouble getting through to a service on the telephone, what do I do?

Contact the patient advice and liaison service on:

• Tel: 0161 446 8217
• Email: pals@christie.nhs.uk

How do I find ward phone numbers?

For individual ward phone numbers go to The Christie's ward section and click on the relevant ward.

What is Hospedia? How do I use it?

Information on the Hospedia bedside entertainment and communication system can be found here.

How do I get to talk to a consultant?

If you are a patient at The Christie, ask one of the team looking after you to arrange for you to speak to your consultant - this could be your nurse, ward sister, radiographer or clinic nurse.

If you are a relative or carer of a Christie patient please ask a member of the team to arrange for you to speak to the consultant. It is important to remember that because of patient confidentiality, the consultant will not be able to discuss any matters about the patient's personal or medical condition without their consent.

How do I donate to The Christie? How do I get involved with fundraising?

Visit the Christie charity section of the website for more details.

I cannot find a car park space, how do I get out of the car park without having to pay?

Patients who are unable to find a parking space may push the buzzer on the barrier and will be let out free of charge.

How do I get out of the car park without having to pay when I pick someone up?

You may push the buzzer on the barrier and you will be let out free of charge as long as you are leaving within 20 minutes.

Disabled car parking - where is it?

Disabled spaces are either side of the road opposite the front entrance in Oak Road. They are almost always in use.

How do I find a department or ward at The Christie?

You can find detailed site maps here.

How do I find more information about a specific type of cancer?

Please visit the cancer information centre page for more information. 

How do I gain access to The Christie information booklets?

Our information booklets can be found here on this web site or the full range of patient information is available from our cancer information centre on the glass link corridor. Our main departments and wards have leaflet racks with a selection of main patient booklets. Please help yourself. If you would like a particular leaflet or booklet and you can't find it in the racks, please ask your nurse, radiographer or doctor.

I'm interested in complementary therapies, does The Christie offer any?

Our rehabilitation unit offers some complementary therapies - click here for more information

Where can I get information on holiday insurance?

Ring the Cancerbackup cancer information service on 0808 800 1234 (lines are open Monday-Friday, 9am-7pm.) or look at the travel and cancer booklet on the Cancerbackup web site.

I am a student, can you please send me information for my projects/essays?

Unfortunately our staff are very busy and we are unable to provide statistics and other information for students. But please see our cancer links page for excellent information resources about cancer.

How do I get referred as a patient to The Christie?

If a patient wants a second opinion from The Christie, or wishes to be referred to us for treatment, they must do this through their GP or hospital consultant. We can only accept referrals through a doctor.

Referrals for a private consultation should be made in the same way.

Can I be treated privately at The Christie?

Nathan House is The Christie's own 19-bed private patients suite with its own outpatient department.

• More information can be found here

What is a second opinion? And how do I go about getting one?

We will accept referrals for second opinions on cases where either diagnosis or treatment is difficult or when patients feel that a second opinion would be helpful. The request for a second opinion needs to be made through  a GP or hospital consultant.