A radiographer has been appointed to run the radiotherapy service at The Christie at Macclesfield, which is currently being built and raising funds.

Altrincham-resident James McGovern (34) is a veteran of Europe's biggest cancer treatment centre, and will be bringing that wealth of experience to Macclesfield.

He currently works at The Christie's Withington site but has also worked at The Christie's local radiotherapy centres in both Oldham and Salford.

It is the first time he has worked in Macclesfield. His first patients will be treated in December 2021, when the site opens.

James's role at The Christie at Macclesfield will be to manage the day to day service in radiotherapy, including the radiotherapy treatments and CT scans of patients.

He will be the most senior member of staff working at the new centre and will coordinate patient care with lead staff from other clinical disciplines including the chemotherapy unit, outpatients and haematology.

He will also work closely with a centre manager to oversee the smooth running of all patient services at the new site.

Commenting on his appointment, James said: "I am very excited to be taking up this new role, particularly as it will be the first radiotherapy centre in Cheshire and the first time The Christie has been able to provide a holistic local radiotherapy centre that also provides chemotherapy, outpatient appointments and other important types of patient care and treatment at the same place other than our Withington site.

"My experience as a therapeutic radiographer will help me to develop the new service at Macclesfield to its fullest potential.

"The Christie at Macclesfield will provide world class radiotherapy treatments including stereotactic ablative radiotherapy which delivers very high dose radiotherapy to a small tumour site and surface guided radiotherapy which uses laser technology to track a patient's position very accurately in three dimensions.

"We will also have a radiotherapy specific CT scanner with all the latest technology.

"Having visited the new site during its construction recently, I can see that it is very well designed and will provide a very high quality purpose built facility for patients.

"Being a therapeutic radiographer allows me to combine state of the art technology with regular patient contact. Going through radiotherapy is sometimes the hardest thing a patient may ever face so being able to support people during this is very rewarding."

"The Christie has the largest radiotherapy treatment service in Europe and that's meant I've had access to some incredible career opportunities so far.

"Taking on the role of lead radiographer for The Christie at Macclesfield is undoubtedly the highlight of my career so far and I'm very grateful to The Christie for all the opportunities they have given me at Oldham, at Salford, at Withington and now at Macclesfield."

Born in the North East and brought up in Whitby, James was inspired to become a radiographer by his mum, Elaine, who was a diagnostic radiographer.

He studied for a BSc in radiotherapy at Sheffield Hallam University, graduating in 2008.

His first job was at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough but two years later he relocated to The Christie at Oldham, just as that centre was opening and the first time The Christie had provided radiotherapy away from its Withington site.

In 2013, James decided to specialise in pre-treatment radiography – overseeing all the preparations to make sure that patients have an expertly planned course of radiotherapy that will be as effective and accurate as possible.

James began studying for an MSc in radiotherapy and oncology in 2013. His promotion to the rank of superintendent radiographer came in 2014 and in 2015 James started working at The Christie at Salford.

He completed his MSc in 2017 and was also promoted to his current role at Withington as principal radiographer for pre-treatment.

Adrian Flynn, Head of Radiotherapy at The Christie said: "James is a very strong appointment for The Christie at Macclesfield and I know he will work tirelessly to get the new radiotherapy service up and running on time, delivering the best quality treatment to the highest Christie standards.

"His experience at our other local radiotherapy centres in Oldham and Salford will be invaluable."

The Christie at Macclesfield will transform cancer care, providing care closer to home for more than 1,500 patients a year.

The new centre will provide a range of holistic services including radiotherapy, chemotherapy and a wider range of clinical trials than at present.

It will provide 46,000 patient appointments and visits each year. It will also serve North Staffordshire and High Peak patients, as well as our county.

The Christie charity needs to raise £23m of the £26m spent on the new centre. To support The Christie at Macclesfield go to this webpage or call our team on 0161 446 3988.

The Christie charity supports the work of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust providing enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds. This includes money for care and treatment, research, education and extra patient services.

Gifts from the public make a huge difference to the care and treatment that The Christie is able to provide to patients and their families.

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust was the first specialist trust to be rated as 'Outstanding' twice (in 2016 and 2018) by the health regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The CQC praised the Trust's staff which it said 'go the extra mile to meet the needs of patients and their families' and that they were 'exceptionally kind and caring.' In 2017, the CQC rated The Christie as the best specialist trust in the country.

You can learn more about The Christie Macclesfield and donate here.

Earlier this year, two Macclesfield businessmen raised £5,108, will will contribute to the £23 million required from donations for construction.

We spoke to them last month.

The latest hire at the site follows the first hires at the start of this month. You can read more about some of the staff here.

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