Nuffield Health and Icon Group Announce Plans for Three New Cutting-Edge Cancer Centres to Expand Access to Treatment
- Overview
Icon will provide radiation oncology services that complement Nuffield Health’s existing cancer care, enhancing patient access to seamless, high-quality treatment and making a real difference to cancer outcomes.
Increasing access to fully integrated cancer care
The locations for the new centres were carefully chosen based on several key factors including the lack of provision of radiation therapy in these regions and the need to reduce travel and wait times for cancer treatment.
In each of these regions, the new Icon Cancer Centre sites will improve access for patients, offering rapid access to care alongside the very best new technology and provide an additional choice for patients with private cover or who are self-insured. Additionally, the centres will alleviate travel times, with patients in these regions currently travelling an average two hour round trip to access private radiotherapy.
Addressing cancer care challenges
Mark Middleton OAM, CEO of Icon Group, said the expansion reinforces both organisations' commitment to tackling the UK’s rising cancer burden.
“There is a significant underutilisation of radiotherapy in the UK, with fewer than 30% of cancer patients receiving it, less than the recommended rate of 40%1,” said Mark.
“By integrating advanced radiation oncology into Nuffield Health Hospitals, we are improving access to world-class treatment and enhancing patient outcomes.”
Icon and Nuffield Health’s existing partnership at Icon Cancer Centre London, immediately adjacent to Nuffield Health Parkside Hospital, has already led to enhanced treatment offerings and improved patient experience, as well as driven improvements in technical capability, and medical leadership. The same model will be applied to these new centres.
Nuffield Health CEO, Alex Perry, welcomed the expansion.
“We are excited to partner with Icon to provide world-class cancer treatment services, and radiotherapy centres, alongside our existing healthcare offering. These new centres will help ease wait times and provide patients with leading-edge treatment, all on one site closer to home,” said Alex.
Aldo Rolfo, CEO of Icon Europe, echoed this sentiment.
“These local centres will provide greater choice and alleviate pressure from the NHS, ensuring more people can access care when and where they need.”
Increasing access to radiotherapy
For cancer patients, timely access to treatment can make all the difference. Warwickshire resident, Jennie David, a patient who received a cancer diagnosis, welcomes the new developments.
“When I was diagnosed, I was overwhelmed – not just by the treatment process but by all the other factors particularly how I would manage travelling to and from daily appointments,” said Jennie.
“Having a centre close to home would have made a huge difference – it would mean I could continue working and be close to family and friends.
Knowing that more patients will now have access to care locally is incredibly reassuring.”
“The UK is a key part of our long-term vision to reduce the global cancer burden,” said Mark. “With these new centres, together we’re delivering on our commitment to improving access to life-saving treatment.”
Further updates to come as the work takes shape.
References
Last updated Wednesday 30 April 2025
First published on Wednesday 30 April 2025