The Christie

The Christie are the largest cancer centre in Europe treating more than 40,000 patients a year. they serve an immediate population of 3.2 million in the Greater Manchester and Cheshire area. The hospital specialises in cancer treatment, research and education and is the first UK centre to be accredited as a comprehensive cancer centre.

The Christie looked to Wayfinder UK to help them create a full wayfinding strategy for all communications across the Hospital. The Christie wanted a simple and pragmatic approach to reduce stress for patients and visitors in the hospital environment. Emphasising the need for patients to find the necessary locations as efficiently as possible, therefore reducing time wasted by late or missed appointments.

A team of consultants reviewed all communication links throughout a detailed analysis. The first focus was to strip the hospital of all visual noise which was having a negative impact on the way people navigated the building. However it seen as important to allow positioning of artwork and charity promotions at strategic points throughout the hospital. Wayfinder UK designed a wayfinding strategy which could be understood from all 3 entrances to the building. The system also allowed for future expansions to be integrated into the overall plan.

The team worked hard to design, source and implement a full signage contract. Using a recommended source allowed for a reliable implementation with limited impact on the running of the hospital environment. The strategy emphasised the need to maintain consistencies within the signage throughout the hospital, in turn strengthening ‘The Christie’ brand and improving the general aesthetics of the environment.

The success of the main hospital resulted in further projects at The Christie in Oldham and The Christie in Salford. This allowed for an integrated development between the sites, leading to strong consistency and communication links across all locations.