Press release posted 8 August 2025
A pioneering service from Manchester's specialist cancer centre, The Christie, providing cancer treatments to patients in the comfort of their own home, has gone green.
The Christie at Home service has introduced a fully electric fleet of vehicles for nurses to use to deliver the service.
The new fleet, made up of 7 MG4 hatchback electric cars, replaces a group of petrol-powered vehicles, which included Toyota Yaris, Peugeot 208, and Vauxhall Corsa models previously used by Christie at Home nurses.
The first electric vehicles were delivered in March 2025, and they are now in full use, with each car offering a daily range of around 240 miles - more than enough for the service’s busiest travel days, which can exceed 150 miles. Christie at Home nurses travel as far afield as Winsford in Cheshire or Rochdale, covering more than 85,000 miles a year.
Senior Charge Nurse, Crawford Meek, who leads The Christie at Home team, said: “Our patients already tell us this service makes a huge difference to their lives - being able to bring their cancer treatment to them, in the comfort of their own home.
“Now, knowing we’re also reducing our environmental footprint makes this even more worthwhile. We are proud to be doing our bit to help meet the NHS's sustainability targets while continuing to deliver compassionate, expert care.”
It’s estimated that by switching from petrol to electric, The Christie at Home team will save over 14 tonnes of CO₂ per year - equivalent to the annual emissions of around 4 average UK households. Alongside these environmental benefits, the change is also more cost-effective, saving The Christie more than £20,000 annually on vehicle costs.
The move supports The Christie’s sustainability strategy and aligns with the NHS in England’s pledge to decarbonise its entire fleet by 2035, as a step towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. All new vehicles owned and leased by the NHS (apart from ambulances) will be zero emission vehicles by 2027.
The Christie at Home service, which launched in 2015, delivers chemotherapy, immunotherapy and hormonal treatments in patients’ homes across Greater Manchester and Cheshire. In 2024/25 alone, 8,544 home-based treatments were carried out by the team of 16 dedicated nurses.
One of those nurses, Sarah Richardson (pictured) said: “The new electric vehicles are quiet, comfortable and reliable - they suit our work perfectly. Most importantly, they show our patients and the wider community that we care about their health in every sense - including the environment they live in.”
Among the thousands of patients who benefit from The Christie at Home service is 68-year-old retired headteacher Des Burns from Bury, who is receiving treatment for bladder cancer. He said: “Having Christie nurses come to me takes away so much of the stress. The nurses are very kind and highly skilled. I’m thrilled to hear they’re now using electric cars. Anything that helps the planet and saves the NHS money is great news.”
The MG4 Hatchbacks are charged using 6 designated bays in a staff car park at The Christie. While minor challenges have included occasional charging delays or scheduling issues, these have been easily managed by the team.
In addition, Christie Medical Physics and Engineering staff, who maintain vital radiotherapy equipment throughout the North West, have 2 electric vehicles and The Christie security team has an electric van.
The move supports The Christie’s sustainability strategy and aligns with the NHS in England’s pledge to decarbonise its entire fleet by 2035, as a step towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. All new vehicles owned and leased by the NHS (apart from ambulances) will be zero emission vehicles by 2027.
“This is a great example of how innovation and sustainability can go hand-in-hand,” said Crawford Meek. “By caring for patients in their own homes and travelling in sustainable vehicles, we are truly delivering modern healthcare that respects both people and the planet. The Christie at Home team continues to lead the way in personalised at home cancer care, and now in environmental responsibility as well.”