ONE of the region’s best known hospitals is changing its name – and you can help christen it.

Bosses of the Christie Hospital, in Withington, are to open a new treatment centre in Oldham at the end of next year and are planning a similar unit in Salford and because they will no longer be working on one site they want to find a new title to better describe their service.

The trust’s research and teaching work has also expanded hugely over the last few years and they hope to expand their early clinical trials unit to become the largest in the world. They are also developing a school of oncology to educate specialist cancer doctors and nurses.

Caroline Shaw, Chief Executive, said: “We’d never lose the word Christie, but we’re not just a hospital anymore and would like our research, education and services to be reflected in our name.

“We wouldn’t exist without the great support of local people so we’re encouraging the public to give us their preference on a number of different options.”

Bosses hope a new name will also help attract more funding for European research and education organisations.

Options for the new name include: ‘The Christie,’ ‘Christie Cancer Centre,’ ‘Christie Comprehensive Cancer Centre,’ ‘Christie Cancer Institute’ and the option of sticking with the ‘Christie Hospital.’.

The new name will be announced at the annual members meeting on September 16.

The Christie opened in 1892 as a home for people with cancer, with money left for the people of Manchester by the industrialist Sir Joseph Whitworth.

In 1901 the home, in Stanley Grove, was renamed the Christie Hospital in honour of Whitworth estate trustee Chancellor Richard Copley Christie.

The new name will be announced at the end of September 2008.

To have your say see: christie.nhs.uk .