MDT Leadership Development: Strengthening Cancer Care Through Collective Leadership

A Conversation with Sarah Grant (West Yorkshire & Harrogate Cancer Alliance) and Dr Jonathan Gregory (Consultant Cancer Surgeon & National Clinical Advisor at Macmillan)

Cancer MDTs sit at the heart of cancer services. But what happens when the “heart” isn’t functioning at its best?

In this conversation with Sarah Grant (West Yorkshire & Harrogate Cancer Alliance) and Dr Jonathan Gregory (Consultant Cancer Surgeon & National Clinical Advisor at Macmillan), Jackie Barringer (360 Degree Society) explores why the future of safe, effective cancer care depends on collective leadership within MDTs.

A key message stands out: Leadership in MDTs can’t sit with one person alone.

When leadership is shared across all core members — consultants, CNSs, coordinators, AHPs and beyond — teams become:

• More psychologically safe, with people confident to speak up and challenge

• Stronger in decision-making and shared accountability

• Better at reducing delays and duplication in patient pathways

• More consistent in following best-practice guidance

• Healthier environments for staff morale and retention

The discussion reframes MDT leadership development as something far more than a training initiative. It’s a high-value intervention linked directly to patient safety, quality of care, workforce wellbeing, and even financial efficiency.

As Jonathan puts it, if we were told a relatively small investment could improve outcomes at a level comparable to high-cost treatments, we wouldn’t hesitate. So why hesitate here?

For Trust leaders, Cancer Alliances, clinical leads, and anyone working to optimise MDTs, this is a conversation about culture, responsibility, and the foundations of high-performing cancer services.