16 April 2025

Velindre Cancer Service has strengthened its clinical leadership team by appointing four new clinical directors for its newly established directorates.

These appointments feature well-established consultants within the organisation, each entrusted with a distinct portfolio.

Dr Simon Waters will serve as Clinical Director for Systemic Therapies while Dr Ricky Frazer becomes Clinical Director for Acute, Inpatient & Palliative Medicine.

Appointed Clinical Director for SST (site-specific teams) Services is Dr Richard Webster, while Dr Thomas Rackley takes up the role of Clinical Director for Radiation Services.

Dr Carys Morgan, Divisional Medical Director of Velindre Cancer Service, said “We are delighted to have appointed four excellent Clinical Directors as part of the clinical leadership team for our new VCS directorates.

“The clinical directors will form part of triumvirate teams supporting each directorate enabling our services to grow and flourish during this crucial and exciting time for VCS.”

 

Clinical Director for Systemic Therapies - Dr Simon Waters

Simon has 15 years’ experience as a Consultant Medical Oncologist, specialising in the treatment of Breast cancer. He works with colleagues at the Aneurin Bevan UHB Breast Centre and with Cardiff and Vale patients in Velindre Cancer Service.

Simon has been VCS Medical Lead for SACT for the last 8 years collaborating in developing a more responsive service with robust governance. He recently completed a tenure as Wales representative on the CRUK Consent Form steering group and has a keen interest in research and trial recruitment.

Simon developed his skills further as part of the FMLM senior medical leadership programme in 2024. He was born and trained in England, he and his family are settled in Cardiff, and he cares deeply about delivering high quality consistent care for patients.

“I am eager to embrace the challenges of this role as we embark on this exciting new chapter. I am committed to harnessing the collective expertise of our professionals to transform our service and deliver outstanding patient centred care."

 

Clinical Director for Acute, Inpatient & Palliative Medicine - Dr Ricky Frazer

Ricky Frazer is a Medical Oncology Consultant specialising in renal and skin cancer and acute oncology. He is clinical lead for the acute oncology assessment unit, the immunotherapy toxicity service and Advanced Cellular Therapies. 

He is one of the founding members of the UK Renal Oncology Collaborative (UK ROC) and has a strong interest in multiprofessional education. He is currently Royal College of Physicians (RCP) College Tutor and Faculty Lead and an Honorary Lecturer at Cardiff University.

As a founding associate fellow of the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management, he has an interest in medical leadership and was a clinical leadership training fellow with the Wales Deanery.

He is currently Vice President of the National Immuno-Oncology Clinical Network (IOCN) and co-leads the National Immuno-Oncology Education Forum. He also co-founded the successful ‘Immunobuddies’ podcast which covers the use and management of immunotherapy in the treatment of cancer and is downloaded worldwide.

“Delighted to be appointed as CD at such an exciting time for Velindre Cancer Service. The triumvirate will continually work to improve the whole patient pathway from diagnosis, delivery of novel and advanced treatments, the management of complications and providing supportive care beyond the patients treatment.”

 

Clinical Director for SST Services - Dr Richard Webster

Richard undertook his training in Clinical Oncology in South Wales during which time he also undertook a PhD in Cancer Genetics from Cardiff University. Richard then joined Velindre Cancer Service as a Consultant Clinical Oncologist in 2016 initially specialising in Breast and Head and Neck cancer. 

He now focuses on the management of Head and Neck Malignancy and Skin Cancer Radiotherapy and has also developed an interest in Medical Leadership.

He became the Head and Neck team tumour site lead in 2018 and has led the skin cancer radiotherapy service since 2021. Richard was appointed as the deputy Clinical Director for Oncology and SST leads Chair in May 2024.

“Many of the long-term and key interactions of patients with their medical teams, clinical nurse specialists, secretarial and clinic staff are based on the site-specific clinical team (SSTs).   The multi-professional SSTs are critical to how we work together within the cancer centre and with health board teams across the region. I am delighted to have the opportunity as clinical director of SST services to support and contribute to the leadership of the SSTs in their vital role of organising and improving patient care, and in transforming cancer services locally and regionally over the next few years”.

 

Clinical Director for Radiation Services - Dr Thomas Rackley

Dr Thomas Rackley has been a Clinical Oncologist in Velindre Cancer Service since 2016 specialising in Head and Neck, Anal cancer and Oligometastatic SABR (stereotactic radiotherapy). He has a strong interest in radiotherapy and as clinical lead for radiotherapy committed to improving time to Radiotherapy performance, implementing new treatment developments and providing the clinical input in the Integrated Radiotherapy Solution (IRS) project.

On a national level he is a member of the UK SABR consortium committee and is clinical lead for radiotherapy within the Welsh Cancer Network. He has facilitated the SABR expansion program throughout Wales working closely with Health Technology Wales (HTW) and Joint Commissioning Committee (JCC). He led the Quality Metrics subgroup of COSC implementing more ambitious time to Radiotherapy targets.  

He also has a keen interest in research and is currently co-Chief Investigator on a multicentre trial of adaptive radiotherapy in oropharyngeal cancer (PEARL). He has also collaborated with Cardiff University on a study investigating immune responses in SABR.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be appointed! I have always had a passion for radiotherapy, and I believe VCS has the potential to become a world class radiotherapy department. We have to grasp the opportunity that the IRS program provides, to ensure we are delivering the highest quality treatments in a timely efficient way. I look forward to work closely with my triumvirate colleagues to continue to improve services not only in radiotherapy but also in radiology and nuclear medicine.”