Trigger Warning: this episode discusses cancer, cancer treatment and health inequalities.

Description: In this insightful episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Heather McLean.

Heather is the Director of Community and System Partnerships at Macmillan Cancer Support, leading transformative neighbourhood‑based innovations that bring personalised cancer care closer to people’s homes. She oversees a major UK‑wide programme designed to tackle inequities and empower communities to shape the support they need, driving systems change through bold partnerships, evidence‑driven design, and deep collaboration across public services and local networks. A passionate advocate for ensuring every voice is heard, Heather is committed to sparking a future where people living with cancer not only access safe, high‑quality care, but have the power to influence it.

CPD Reflection Points:

1. How can healthcare professionals strengthen partnerships with local communities and organisations to reduce inequities in cancer care and improve access to personalised support?
2. Heather emphasises empowering people affected by cancer to influence the services they receive. In your own role, how do you currently involve patients and communities in shaping care, and where could this be enhanced?
3. What lessons from neighbourhood-based, community-led approaches could be applied within your service to improve outcomes, collaboration, and patient experience across the cancer pathway?

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Links from the Episode:

• Neighbourhood health and Macmillan Cancer Support | Macmillan Cancer Support.
• Macmillan Funding and Grants | Macmillan Cancer Support
• A blueprint for transforming neighbourhoods across… | Social Finance
• First-of-its-Kind Partnership to Revolutionise Community Healthcare in the UK :: West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

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Credits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke.

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Trigger Warning: this episode discusses cancer, cancer treatment, dementia and health inequities.

Episode 209: Part of the Education and Workforce Development series (Part 70)

Description: In this powerful episode, Naman Julka-Anderson and Jo McNamara sit down with Noreen Hawkshaw, Prof. Laura Ashley and Jill Quinn MBE.

Noreen Hawkshaw is a Macmillan Lead Nurse for Cancer and End of Life Care at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust.

Laura Ashley is Professor of Health Psychology at Leeds Beckett University. Laura undertakes applied psychosocial health research, often using qualitative methods. Much of her work focuses on improving health care accessibility and experiences across the cancer trajectory, particularly for people with other pre-existing long-term conditions (such as dementia). She is interested in co-developing interventional strategies to optimise health care information, encounters and environments, to improve and reduce inequalities in patient-centred outcomes.

Jill Quinn MBE has worked in the voluntary sector for nearly 30 years, firstly with 2 different nationals and then founding the charity Dementia Forward in 2012.

CPD Reflection Points:

1. Reflect on a patient encounter involving a person living with both dementia and cancer. Consider the challenges encountered, what went well, and how the experience could influence your future practice. Record your learning and identify one action to improve patient care.
2. Reflect on support available to patients living with dementia within your clinical area. Consider how effectively their individual needs, communication preferences, independence, and emotional wellbeing are supported.

Complete this form for your accredited digital badge: Digital Badge Form.

Links from the Episode:

• Cancer care for people with dementia: Literature overview and recommendations for practice and research
• Understanding and identifying ways to improve hospital-based cancer care and treatment for people with dementia: an ethnographic study
• Alzheimers Society: Caring for a person with dementia and cancer
• Cancer and dementia: a guide for carers
• Dementia Forward

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Credits: Music and jingle credits: Dr. Ben Potts and Adam Cooke.

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We are live at UKIO 2026 in Liverpool with Sofia, Sharon, Robby and Jordan talking about the AI special interest group for radiography.

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We are live at UKIO 2026 in Liverpool with Trish talking about her experience of cancer and working as a patient ambassador.

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We are live at UKIO 2026 in Liverpool with Ross McGhee talking about his role as chair of the ROC charity.

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We are live at UKIO 2026 in Liverpool with El, Poppy and Jordan talking about their research and attending UKIO.

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We are live at UKIO 2026 in Liverpool with Jim talking about his lecturing and importance of student learners at UKIO.

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We are live at UKIO 2026 in Liverpool with Paul talking about Rothband and radiation protection.

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