Professor Martin Vernon (Image: Supplied)
One of the UK’s leading cancer centres has appointed a national expert in older people’s care – as the NHS faces growing pressure from an ageing population and older cancer patients. The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester has appointed top consultant geriatrician Professor Martin Vernon, NHS England‘s former National Clinical Director for Older People, to boost its pioneering ‘Senior Adult Oncology Service’.
The service, launched three years ago, is one of the world’s few dedicated programmes focused on supporting older cancer patients living with frailty and multiple health conditions. And the appointment was hailed by Christie patient Vernon Bradshaw, 90, from Edgeley in Stockport, who has praised his care after being diagnosed with stage one lung cancer in January 2026.
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Mr Bradshaw told the Express: “The Senior Adult Oncology team have made me feel worthwhile. Independence and encouragement are what they’ve given me.
“As you get older, you can become a bit disillusioned, but they’ve given me the support to get through my treatment and helped put me back together again.”
The NHS Trust explained how “older patients are more likely to experience complications during cancer treatment and less likely to complete treatment as planned.”
It stressed: “Demand for specialist services for older cancer patients is expected to continue growing as the population ages.”
The Christie’s specialist team works with patients, often aged over 70, to tailor treatment and provide wider support including physiotherapy, nutritional advice, medication reviews and care planning.
Oncologist Dr Fabio Gomes, founder of The Christie’s Senior Adult Oncology programme, told us: “We have seen first-hand the positive difference that specialist, multidisciplinary support can make for those more complex older patients with cancer living with frailty and multiple health conditions.
“Martin’s expertise will enable us to expand our service across more cancer pathways and improve outcomes and care for older patients at The Christie.”
Professor Vernon has nearly 30 years’ experience in geriatric medicine and previously helped lead national NHS work on frailty and ageing well.
He remarked: “It’s a real privilege to work in a centre of excellence like The Christie.
“Geriatric oncology is still a relatively new field in the UK, and there is a huge opportunity to understand what works best and how we can improve outcomes for older people with cancer.”
The service focuses on all round support – rather than just treating the cancer. Staff assess frailty, physical resilience and wider health needs to help patients cope better with treatment and maintain independence.
Professor Vernon said: “If you take a more personalised, frailty-attuned approach, patients are more likely to complete treatment, experience fewer complications, and have better overall outcomes.”
He also wants to help develop more “neighbourhood cancer care” so older patients can access support closer to home.
Professor Vernon added: “Neighbourhood cancer care matters particularly for older people who may physically struggle to get into a centre of excellence like The Christie. We need to think about how we deliver safe, high-quality cancer care closer to home.”
Cancer patient Vernon Bradshaw, 90 (Image: Supplied)
Vernon Bradshaw, 90, from Edgeley in Stockport, was diagnosed with stage one lung cancer in January 2026 after visiting his GP with a persistent cough.
Married Vernon told us: “I had a terrible cough. It actually ended up giving me a hernia, so I went to see my GP.”
He was referred for further tests and scans before coming to The Christie in mid-February for specialist treatment, where he received 20 sessions of radiotherapy over four weeks.
“During the cancer treatment, I didn’t think I would be able to get back to doing normal things afterwards,” he said.
“There were times when I felt like I could hardly lift myself. It didn’t seem like anything was happening while I was on the radiotherapy machine, but afterwards you realise it takes a lot out of you.”
Vernon, who enjoys gardening, visiting his static caravan and DIY, only recently retired after running a printing business for more than 35 years and was supported by The Christie’s Senior Adult Oncology team throughout his treatment.
Praising them as “almost like family” he said: “They’ve given me support that I didn’t think I needed. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have got as far as I have now.
“They included my wife, Valerie, as well, which was a wonderful thing, because it’s traumatic for the family too.”
With input from an occupational therapist, pharmacist and specialist in geriatric medicine, Vernon said he felt more confident, supported and able to maintain his independence – also helping with cancer treatment side effects.
He added: “The Senior Adult Oncology team have made me feel worthwhile. Independence and encouragement are what they’ve given me.
“As you get older, you can become a bit disillusioned, but they’ve given me the support to get through my treatment and helped put me back together again.”
He said he would encourage other older people not to feel put off from having cancer treatment.
“You’ve got the best treatment available,” he said. “If you push yourself through it, you’ll get to the end of the tunnel. Don’t lose faith in your own ability to get through it.”
He recently had a scan and expects to receive the results at the end of June.
