Icon Group and Nuffield Health will deliver three new cancer centres in the UK as part of an ongoing partnership to address the increasing demand for cancer care services.
The new Icon cancer centre sites will be located adjacent to Nuffield Health hospitals in Brighton, Derby, and Warwickshire.
The projects are designed to enhance patient access to advanced radiation therapy services and reduce travel and waiting times for those requiring treatment.
Construction timelines and operational dates for the three new sites are expected to be confirmed later this year
The new Icon Cancer Centre sites will be located adjacent to Nuffield Health hospitals
Icon Group is an Australia-based provider of integrated cancer care with a network of centres across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the UK.
The company delivers a full suite of oncology services, including radiation oncology, chemotherapy, and compounding, and is known for its partnership model integrating services within hospital environments.
Construction timelines and operational dates for the three new sites are expected to be confirmed later this year
Nuffield Health is the UK’s largest healthcare charity, which operates a national network of hospitals, medical centres, fitness and wellbeing clubs.
Headquartered in Epsom, Surrey, the organisation provides a wide range of services from primary care to complex surgery and rehabilitation, with a strong focus on preventative healthcare and community wellbeing initiatives.
The announcement follows Icon Group’s acquisition of Cancer Centre London (CCL) in December 2024, further strengthening the collaboration between the two organisations, which began in August 2023.
The partnership has already delivered tangible benefits through the jointly operated Icon Cancer Centre London, situated next to Nuffield Health Parkside Hospital.
Improving access to specialist care
The three new centres will enable Icon Group to deliver dedicated radiation oncology services alongside Nuffield Health’s portfolio of surgical, healthcare, and day oncology provision.
Each location was carefully selected based on clinical need, with consideration given to the under-utilisation of radiotherapy in these regions and the long travel times currently experienced by patients seeking private treatment.
On average, patients in these areas currently face a two-hour round trip for private radiotherapy services.
The new facilities will help alleviate this burden, offering rapid access to advanced cancer care, equipped with the latest technology and clinical expertise.
The three new centres will enable Icon Group to deliver dedicated radiation oncology services alongside Nuffield Health’s portfolio
They will also provide greater choice for patients with private medical insurance or those self-funding their care.
Mark Middleton, CEO of Icon Group, said: “Radiation therapy is under-utilised in the UK, with fewer than 30% of cancer patients receiving it, less than the recommended rate of 40%.
“By integrating advanced radiation oncology into our hospitals, we’re providing patients comprehensive, seamless care that aligns with the highest clinical standards.
“This expansion reinforces our joint commitment to improving access to cancer treatment and reflects Icon’s proven model of partnerships and integrated care, which has seen us turn the dial on cancer care in Australia, New Zealand and Asia.”
Nuffield Health Chief Executive, Alex Perry, said: “When we began this partnership, it was always the intention for Icon to introduce a world-class radiation therapy offering which augments our highly established comprehensive core healthcare services.
“These new centres will help alleviate wait times, introduce advanced radiation therapy services to these communities, and make a difference to cancer outcomes.”
Top image: Artist's impression of one of the new cancer centres