Dr Wendy McInally

Associate Head of School for Research, Scholarship & Knowledge Exchange

School of Health, Wellbeing & Social Care

wendy.mcinally@open.ac.uk

Biography

Personal Biography

Over the past 30 years, I have established an internationally recognised career and professional portfolio around children and young people with cancer, focusing on the development of nursing practice, education, and research. During this time, I have driven the development and implementation of many best practice initiatives. I fully understand the ongoing need for professional education and training to support the continuing development of evidence-based care delivery.

I started my career journey in 1986, qualifying as a Registered Nurse, qualifying in Edinburgh, Scotland. Later, in 1995, I completed a second qualification as a Registered Children and Young People's Nurse. From 1986 to 1993, I worked in several clinical environments caring for children and young people with learning disability and cancer both nationally in the UK and internationally in the Middle East.

From 1995 to 1998, I worked at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust (GOSH), undertaking various clinical and education roles. I completed my BSc (Hons) in Children and Young People's Nursing at the Royal College of Nursing during this time. In 1998, I returned to Edinburgh as a Clinical Education Nurse to train and educate nurses and medical staff in chemotherapy administration, central venous catheter access, and other clinical practice advancements.

In 2005, I transitioned to academia to teach undergraduate and postgraduate nursing education and training at Edinburgh Napier University. I completed my MSc in 2010 and my PhD in 2020.

In 2020, I moved to the Open University, the UK's largest public research university by number of students, as a Senior Lecturer in children and young people's nursing. I was appointed Associate Head of School for Research, Scholarship and Knowledge Exchange in 2023.

Research Interests, Initiatives and Outputs

As the Open University's (OU's) Associate Head of School for Research, Scholarship and Knowledge Exchange, I support colleagues with practice, education and future research across the three programmes: Health, Well-Being, and Social Work.

My research interests primarily focus on cancer in children and young people, palliative care, and pedagogy. Since 2017, I have conducted several research projects exploring melanoma's lived experiences and impacts on teenagers, young adults, and their significant others. My research is interspeciality. Recently, I led a work package for an Interact EU project aimed at developing core competencies for healthcare professionals who care for individuals affected by cancer.

Recent Research Grants

2021-2023: Teenagers and Young Adults (TYA) with Cancer awarded a £30,000 grant to explore the experiences of TYA with melanoma. I was the first nurse awarded this UK-wide grant and presented my findings at the AYA Global Accord Conference in Melbourne in 2024.

2021 - 2023: Interact. I was the Work Package Lead for this 2.5-million-euro EU-funded development of an international interspeciality curriculum.

2018 - 2020: Developing Cancer Education. This £15,000 research initiative explored cancer nurse education across all four nations of the United Kingdom. The research results directly informed the development of specific cancer care modules for healthcare professionals working with teenagers and young adults, which were delivered through the Moodle environment.

Cancer Leadership and Memberships

2021 - present: Member of the CCLG Advisory Board for Research.

2021 - 2024: Honorary Consultant for the Royal Marsden Hospital.

2019 - present: European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS) Board Member and Education Working Group Chair.

2013- 2018: Chair of the CCLG Education Working Group.

https://www.cclg.org.uk/our-research/researchers/research-advisory-group

2001 - present: I have been a Children and Young People's Cancer Association member, formerly known as CCLG and TYAC.

2001 – present: Member of the Society of International Paediatric Oncology and SIOPe.

1996 – present: Royal College of Nursing UK.

Recent Conference Highlights

March 2025: OUiS Workshop Edinburgh – Developing a Nurse and Youth Advisor Group

I led on this workshop where ten nurses and eight young people, aged 16 to 24 years at diagnosis, supported the development of a research questionnaire to explore where young people with skin cancer are treated in the UK.

This work has supported the Chapter I am preparing for the new Blueprint of Care for healthcare professionals caring for young people with cancer (https://www.teenagecancertrust.org/sites/default/files/2021-12/Nursing-framework.pdf)

November 2024: Adolescent and Young Adult Global Accord Melbourne Australia

I presented my “It’s like being on a rollercoaster….” research examining how teenagers and young people live with their cancer diagnosis.

May 2023: European Cancer Nursing Day (ECND) Edinburgh

I led the ECND with the United Kingdom's Oncology Nursing Society (UKONS) and with the support of the Open University in Scotland.

“The one common denominator in all of this success was of course you. It wouldn’t have happened without you……. coming up with the idea of hosting it, and with the OU in Scotland as a major partner….” Open University Director Susan Stewart.

“Your passion, expertise, and commitment have been instrumental in the success and growth of EONS….” (EONS President Johan De Munter)

November 2022: European School of Medical Oncology/ EONS Paris

Jack Brodie and I presented ‘A Life Interrupted by Skin Cancer’ case study in November 2022 at the European School of Medical Oncology event in Paris. Jack was a young man diagnosed with skin cancer at the age of 16 years, and our presentation focused on the physical, emotional and social impacts on Jack and his family.

I also presented the outcomes from the 'The European College of Cancer Nursing (ECCN): a pilot study.

European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS)

I have been an active member of EONS since 2013. EONS leads efforts to ensure that everyone affected by cancer benefits from the care provided by educated and professionally trained cancer nurses. The EONS team comprises clinicians, academics, policymakers, and patient advocates who work together to advance evidence-based cancer nursing and improve the care of individuals impacted by cancer. EONS empowers and enables cancer nurses to practice safely and fully utilise their expertise.

EONS has earned an outstanding reputation for advancing excellence in cancer nursing through education, research, and advocacy. In May 2025, I will be running in the election to become the next EONS President-Elect. This is an exciting opportunity that aligns seamlessly with my professional aspirations and personal values.

I bring six years of experience on the Board, during which I have driven numerous EONS projects and fostered collaborations between Working Groups and various national and multi-professional organisations. If elected as President-Elect, I will leverage my prior EONS experience and academic and practical expertise to help guide EONS toward an even brighter future.

As the EONS President-Elect, I will support the new President and collaborate with current and incoming Board Members. This role will allow me to actively shape the future of oncology nursing, ensuring that nurses are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills to deliver the best possible care to individuals affected by cancer.

I believe in the power of collaboration and networking among nurses. EONS offers a unique platform for cancer nurses across Europe to connect, share their experiences, and learn from one another. The challenges faced by cancer nurses are varied, ranging from emotional burnout to the need for ongoing professional development. As President-Elect, I would work diligently to address these issues, ensuring that cancer nurses receive the support they need to thrive in their roles. I am committed to advocating for their needs and rights.

Cancer Education

I have successfully led cancer nursing programs for many years, focusing on both undergraduate and postgraduate education, including teaching and assessment for credit and non-credit courses. I have developed national and international educational frameworks, taught global cancer nursing, and organised exchange programs for third-year student nurses to visit countries such as Ghana and Finland. Additionally, I have served as an external examiner for two higher education institutions in the UK and one in Western Carolina, USA. I strongly advocate for creative and innovative eLearning, utilising Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance educational experiences.

I have been a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) since 2015 and previously served as the Chair of the Teaching Fellow Grants Committee at Edinburgh Napier University. In this role, I concentrated on enhancing the overall student experience. I have continued to promote similar initiatives at the Open University, particularly through the PRAXIS and Knowledge Transfer Voucher (KTV) grants, and I actively support all colleagues in applying for these opportunities.

I have successfully secured KTV, Research Impact, and KE funding, and I am well-acquainted with these processes and collaborating with colleagues across the faculty. For instance, I received funding from OU to establish a cancer nursing working group across the UK, with face-to-face meetings held in June 2022 and 2023. This working group is ongoing, and we are currently focusing on teenagers and young people living with melanoma. We plan to pursue external funding as we move forward.

OpenLearn

Below are a series of podcasts and articles on young people and melanoma. This is an area of interest from my research.

https://www.open.edu/openlearn/melanoma-emerging-concern

https://www.open.edu/openlearn/research-young-people-with-melanoma

Projects

Young lives interrupted by malignant melanoma: exploring the experiences within a relational context

Exploring experiences of young people with malignant melanoma and that of their family/significant other. This study wishes to hear from young people 16 to 26 years of age who are living with skin cancer. We want to understand their experiences and that of their family during and after treatment. Skin cancer also known as malignant melanoma, is the third most common cancer in this age group within the United Kingdom and continues to increase each year. Early diagnosis is vital to prevent spread of the disease and improve survival outcomes. The main treatment is surgery and depending on stage of the disease chemical treatment is used. Young people are a unique group in society, perched on the cusp of no longer being a child but not yet fully an adult with all the independence and responsibilities this brings. It is important to hear their voices so care and support is improved. Skin cancer treatments can cause physical scarring, and impact on psychological and social recovery of the young person and that of their family. Evidence suggests that the family continue to play a significant supportive role in young people with cancer. There is limited research that explores the experiences of living with and beyond skin cancer in this age group and that of their family. This study aims to recruit up to 15 young people from two hospital sites in England and will be interviewed for up to 90 minutes. With permission interviews will be recorded to allow for accurate analysis. Each young person will nominate a family member and they will all be invited to take part in a focus group. The findings will inform current service provision and the development of interventions, such as educational materials specifically focused on young people with skin cancer and their families. * family = this includes anyone who is close to the YP at this time.

INTERACT Europe – developing inter-speciality training

The European Cancer Organisation (ECO) submitted for the INTERACT-EUROPE Innovative Collaboration for Inter-specialty Cancer Training Across Europe on behalf of a wide range of European Specialty Societies, including EONS. The call included cancer nurses in addition to medical specialties. The project is • focusing on development of oncology, surgery, radiology and cancer nurses training in cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and survivorship. • optimising collaboration among cancer specialists. • delivering a more skilled and mobile workforce through cross border training and information sharing. • addressing skills gaps. Ultimately benefiting people with cancer. The project includes a focus on the quality of life and wellbeing of people affected by cancer including mental, psychosocial and nutritional support along with patient empowerment. The call for bids included cancer nurses in addition to medical specialties The main strands of the bid were: • Needs assessment and curriculum development • Programme design • Evaluation and accreditation The bid also contained a vision for the programme and its legacy of the programme.

European College of Cancer Nursing

The European College of Cancer Nursing exists under the umbrella of the European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS). It was established to advance and promote cancer nursing education and professional development of the cancer nursing workforce across Europe, in order to reduce the cancer burden and improve care for people affected by cancer. The ECCN offers a collegiate environment promoting and providing cancer education, professional development, and networking opportunities for all nurses working with cancer patients and their carers across Europe to enhance care for people of all ages affected by cancer. About our Vision and Mission: The European College of Cancer Nursing is committed to enabling every nurse who cares for people of all ages affected by cancer to achieve and enhance the highest standards of cancer nursing practice and patient care. As an arm of the European Oncology Nursing Society, the ECCN fits well into the following EONS Strategic objectives: • All cancer nurses have access to specialised education that is aligned with the EONS Cancer Nursing Education Framework. • All cancer nurses gain official recognition, reward and respect as a result of the RECaN and advocacy campaigns. • All cancer nurses are connected in order to exchange and share information and support for their work. Our strategic priorities: Within this vision, the European College of Cancer Nursing has four strategic priorities which underpin the College’s vision of advancing cancer nursing. Our activities and resources will be focused on delivering the following strategic aims: 1. Developing, promoting and delivering educational opportunities in line with the EONS Education Framework which supports nurses at all stages of their career and levels of practice. 2. To fulfil their professional development needs and career aspirations in a manner that is appropriate to the country or region they are working in. 3. Support the EONS Working Groups to influence and shape cancer nursing education and continuing professional development policy and practice across Europe - building career and education pathways for the current and future cancer nursing workforce with the aim of improving care of all people affected by cancer. 4. Continuously evaluate the Learning Blocks of the first level through a pilot for 20 nurses across Europe who are members of EONS. We are also seeking external funding after the pilot and for the ECCN to continue.