Cardiff University Pharmacy Students Visit nVCC

21 January 2025

We recently welcomed pharmacy students from Cardiff University to see the site of our new Velindre Cancer Centre. The students were shown the construction site, followed by a presentation and discussion with colleagues from our pharmacy department.

The visit was organised by Professor Andrew Westwell, of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Cardiff University and Velindre University NHS Trust Independent Member.

Professor Westwell said: “It was a privilege to welcome some pharmacy students to the site of our new Velindre Cancer Centre. Visits like this are invaluable in helping students understand how modern cancer services are designed and delivered, and the vital role pharmacy plays in patient care.

“By seeing the scale of the development and speaking with our pharmacy colleagues, students gain insight into how innovation, collaboration and technology come together to support safe, effective and compassionate care. We are proud to support the next generation of pharmacy professionals and to share our vision for the future of cancer care in Wales.”

Students on the visit also heard directly from colleagues in the Velindre pharmacy department, who explained the role the department plays in treating patients and how their staff are involved in the design and development in the new Velindre Cancer Centre.

The pharmacy department in the nVCC will include a pharmacy robot and two patient education rooms. A pneumatic system also links pharmacy to other departments for quick and safe delivery of items.

Scheduled to open next year, our nVCC will deliver world-class cancer treatment, enhanced diagnostic capability, and greater access to research and innovation for people across Wales.

Our nVCC has been designed around our patients' needs from day one. With an intuitive layout, state-of-the-art treatment areas, and a dedicated radiotherapy research bunker to expand access to clinical trials, our new home will help transform the care we can provide.

Our new home, scheduled to open in Spring 2027, will be twice the size of our current site and reflects our ambition not just to meet growing demand, but to shape the future of cancer care in Wales.