Press release posted 16 July 2025
A ground-breaking model of cancer care developed at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester is now at the centre of a national campaign to improve supportive oncology services across the UK.
The campaign, spearheaded by Dr Richard Berman, Consultant in Supportive Oncology and Palliative Medicine at The Christie, has gained influential backing from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR), the Association of Palliative Medicine and the UK Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (UKASCC).
This collective call to action last weekend warns that without urgent investment in supportive and acute oncology, patients will continue to face inconsistent access to essential care that significantly affects both quality and length of life.
At the heart of this growing movement is The Christie’s pioneering supportive oncology service, the first of its kind in the world to be established as a formal directorate. Dr Berman, who has been championing this approach for more than a decade, said: “There is still a misconception that a cancer diagnosis, especially an advanced one, means there is no hope. But more people are living well with and beyond cancer. Supportive oncology is about ensuring they can do just that - live well.”
Supportive oncology focuses on improving the wellbeing of cancer patients throughout the entire disease journey, not only at diagnosis or end-of-life. This includes managing complex physical symptoms such as pain and treatment side effects, as well as addressing psychological, social, and practical challenges.
As cancer survival improves, the number of people living with cancer long-term has grown dramatically. Half of the people diagnosed with cancer in England and Wales now live at least 10 years post-diagnosis, and Macmillan Cancer Support estimates that by 2040, there will be 5.3 million people living with cancer in the UK.
Dr Berman’s campaign is driven by the reality that many of these patients fall into a gap in current care models, receiving insufficient support during the months or years between active treatment and end-of-life care.
“There’s a clear national gap in care for those living with the complex long-term consequences of cancer and its treatment,” Dr Berman said. “These patients need a coordinated, specialist approach that goes beyond routine oncology or palliative care.”
The Christie has been at the forefront of addressing this need. Its supportive oncology team has grown into a world-leading service supporting more than 2,000 patients each year. The service brings together expertise in psychological medicine, symptom and pain management, medication optimisation, endocrinology, cardio-oncology, occupational therapy, and end-of-life care.
In January 2025, The Christie launched the world’s first fellowship programme in supportive oncology, recruiting 3 doctors—Dr Ahmed Aboelnaga, Dr Savannah Thirza, and Dr Erdem Kolemen to complete a comprehensive year-long training programme.
The curriculum, developed by the UK Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (UKASCC) with support from the Royal College of Radiologists, equips clinicians to manage the toxicities of treatment, acute complications, and complex survivorship needs. The fellowship is also being piloted at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, with other cancer centres exploring adoption.
There has been growing interest nationally in the model. A government health minister visited last year to listen to Dr Berman's case and
Dr Berman met with a government health minister last year and NHS England leaders to advocate for a national expansion of The Christie’s model. The RCR and RCP have joined that call, with the RCR’s Vice President, Dr Tom Roques, stating: “This model can increase patients' quality and length of life, improve symptoms, and reduce hospital admissions. It’s vital that the NHS adopts this approach across the country.”
The RCP is calling for consistent funding and national frameworks to ensure access for all to supportive cancer care.
With increasing backing from professional bodies, policymakers, and patients, Dr Berman’s vision of a national supportive oncology strategy is gaining traction. The Christie’s work provides a practical, evidence-based model for others to follow, one that improves lives while easing the pressure on NHS services.
“Supportive oncology should no longer be considered optional,” Dr Berman said. “It’s essential for modern cancer care.”