New Radiotherapy Unit to Improve Access to Vital Cancer Treatments

28 March 2025

A new NHS radiotherapy unit in Abergavenny will be officially named the Velindre @ Nevill Hall Radiotherapy Unit.

The new radiotherapy unit, based at Nevill Hall Hospital, is set to enhance patient experience and bring additional radiotherapy capacity to south-east Wales cancer treatment services.

Delivered in partnership between Velindre Cancer Service and Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, the unit will be staffed by a team of Velindre Cancer Service experts and will operate as an extension of Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff.

Scheduled to open in the summer of 2025, the state-of-the-art facility will eventually increase radiotherapy capacity in the region by up to 20%. The unit will initially treat breast cancer, prostate cancer and palliative radiotherapy patients who meet a set of clinical criteria.

Delivering precise and effective radiotherapy treatments from two advanced linear accelerator machines, the unit will also offer tailored radiotherapy planning, regular on-treatment reviews, comprehensive on-treatment education, and advanced imaging with a CT simulator.

David Donegan, Chief Executive of Velindre University NHS Trust, said: "As we continue to see a rise in cancer incidence across Wales, with over 20,000 new cases diagnosed every year, the need for enhanced radiotherapy capacity has never been more acute. We are very grateful to Welsh Government and Health Boards for their continued investment and support of our Cancer Services.

"The introduction of this new service is a significant step forward in our commitment to providing timely and effective cancer treatment. This expansion of our Velindre Cancer Service will not only help us meet the growing demand with the latest state of the art equipment but also ensure that suitable patients are able to receive this specialist care closer to home in a dedicated setting in Abergavenny."

Patients who are referred to Velindre Cancer Service for radiotherapy will receive their treatment at either Velindre Cancer Centre in Whitchurch or the Velindre @ Nevill Hall Radiotherapy Unit, based on their medical need and the appointment availability at each facility. In most cases, patients will receive their radiotherapy at the location where treatment can begin soonest.

Nicola Prygodzicz, Chief Executive of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said: “We’re really excited to be working in partnership with Velindre Cancer Service to introduce such a fantastic new facility here in Gwent.

“The purpose-built unit will provide the same high-quality care already offered at the Velindre Cancer Centre and will be a great asset to those requiring cancer treatment in South East Wales. We couldn’t be prouder that Nevill Hall Hospital has been chosen as its home.”

The £38 million Velindre @ Nevill Hall Radiotherapy Unit, identified as part of the Transforming Cancer Services Programme, is being delivered through a partnership programme between Velindre University NHS Trust, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and Powys Teaching Health Board.

Radiotherapy is a medical treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumours. By targeting specific areas of the body, radiotherapy can effectively destroy cancerous cells while minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

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