Robert McNally

Background

About Robert McNally

I am a dedicated and highly motivated healthcare professional with a unique background spanning Paramedicine, Dietetics, and now, Psychology. My career has been driven by a deep-seated interest in the connection between physical health, mental wellbeing, and human behaviour. As a Paramedic, I developed strong skills in clinical assessment, decision-making, and empathetic communication in high-pressure environments, often managing complex mental health presentations and working within legal and ethical frameworks like the Mental Health Act. This frontline experience inspired my transition into dietetics, where I currently work as a Specialist Dietitian with the Cardiff & Vale University Health Board. In this role, I focus on weight management and chronic conditions, providing patient-centred care within a multidisciplinary team. My work involves not only clinical practice but also leading service development. I have spearheaded projects such as developing an in-house group weight management programme grounded in behaviour change theory and, as the service's IT Champion, I led a major resource migration to Microsoft 365 and drafted a new service-wide communication policy. I am currently nearing completion of my MSc Psychology (Conversion) at the University of South Wales, where my passion for Health Psychology has been solidified. My academic projects have explored diverse and relevant themes, including: Dissertation: Investigating the psychological factors that influence engagement with AI-driven health coaching. Inclusive Design: Conducting usability appraisals of public spaces for neurodiverse populations, particularly those with ADHD. Community Health: Developing intervention proposals using restorative nature for emotional eating and social capital to improve healthy eating habits. My goal is to pursue a doctorate in Health Psychology, where I can combine my clinical experience, research skills, and passion for service improvement to design and evaluate effective, evidence-based psychological interventions. I am particularly interested in the application of technology in healthcare, nature-based interventions, and science communication.