Meet Anna McNally

Lead Nurse – Commissioning & Development Anna McNally joins our Icon Cancer Centre UK team at a pivotal moment, as it continues expanding its network to bring more connected cancer care to communities across the country

Passionate about oncology nursing and workforce development, she sees a unique opportunity to help shape the next generation of cancer nurses who will play a key role in delivering integrated, patient-centred cancer care. 

Care grounded in authenticity

For me, oncology nursing has always been personal.  

Having seen cancer affect many people in my own family, I was drawn to the role nurses play in supporting patients, and their families, through some of life’s most difficult moments.  

Enhancing the best care possible

The growth of Icon Cancer Centre UK’s network presents an incredible opportunity to shape the oncology nursing workforce of the future. 

In the UK, cancer treatments are often referred to as SACT (systemic anti-cancer therapy) including chemotherapy, immunotherapy and vaccine administration.  

Through Icon’s integrated cancer care model, we have the opportunity to expand our unique oncology nursing model to support both medical oncology and radiation oncology care.  

This is particularly exciting in the UK, where radiation oncology nursing is still an innovative new service.  

It gives nurses the chance to expand their capability, work across more areas of care and be part of a new model that can support both professional growth and better patient outcomes.  

Investing in our people 

Building specialist nursing capability takes time, investment and commitment, it’s more than recruitment alone. It involves creating clear career pathways, providing access to education and fostering a culture where people feel empowered to grow and develop. 

Care through collaboration

As we continue to establish nursing services in the UK, partnerships are critical.  

By building strong relationships with hospitals, healthcare organisations, the National Health Service and local universities we can help create a more connected experience for patients. Working with national associations such as the United Kingdom Oncology Nurses Society (UKONS) will enable us to support the development of a skilled oncology nursing workforce through education, cross-sector conversations and innovation. 

Collaboration also extends beyond patient care and into how we develop the future workforce. By offering new nursing services in the UK, there is an opportunity to create stronger connections between providers, professional bodies and nursing networks, while sharing knowledge across both public and private healthcare settings. 

Through a combination of these partnerships, our focus is on working together to provide a more integrated, seamless patient journey. 

A future built around patients

As Icon Cancer Centre UK’s network continues to grow, we have a unique opportunity to build something truly special – a nursing workforce equipped to meet the future of cancer care while never losing sight of what matters most today. 

For me, that means creating an environment where nurses feel valued, supported and set up for success, with access to the development, mentorship and opportunities they need to thrive. 

Because when our people thrive, so do our patients. And that gives patients confidence that wherever they access care within our network, they will be supported by highly skilled, compassionate professionals committed to delivering outstanding care at every stage of their cancer journey.