South Wales Neuro-oncology Centre achieves prestigious Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence status

16 May 2025

The South Wales Neuro-oncology Centre, which includes Velindre Cancer Centre, has once again been designated as a Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence.

This prestigious accreditation is awarded to centres across the UK who have met or exceeded standards across the treatment, care and research they provide to patients with a brain tumour, and follows a rigorous review process led by a committee of NHS and patient experts.

The announcement was made at a special event at London’s Francis Crick Institute which celebrated the achievement of fourteen centres newly designated with this prestigious status.

Dr James Powell, Neuro-oncology lead of Velindre University NHS Trust, said:

"It’s wonderful for the hard work and collaborative efforts of the whole neuro-oncology team in South Wales to be recognised in this way. This centre of excellence designation, alongside the establishment of the Cancer Research Wales Brain Tumour Research Initiative (BATRI), makes the future of clinical-scientific brain tumour work in Wales very exciting."

This milestone builds on the success of the Cardiff Neuro-oncology Centre, made up of Velindre Cancer Centre and the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, who were awarded the same status in 2022.

The South Wales team, which includes the addition of the South West Wales Cancer Centre in Swansea’s Singleton Hospital, were commended on several standout elements. These included its exemplary patient-centred care model, innovative oncology service, outstanding training opportunities, and cutting-edge neuro-oncology research programme.

David Donegan, Chief Executive of Velindre University NHS Trust, said:

“We are delighted that our partnership for excellence in this area has been recognised in this way, and accreditation continues to support our work to improve cancer research and cancer care, and improve services and outcomes for patients.”

About the Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence programme

Since its inception in 2020, the Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence programme has recognised adult neuro-oncology centres across the UK who have met the high standards of excellence in every area of their service to patients with brain tumours.

These centres demonstrate outstanding multi-disciplinary collaboration to deliver care, with exceptionally integrated and specialised services. They provide excellent research opportunities across specialities and remarkable nurse-led care.

This accreditation underscores the pivotal role of the South Wales Neuro-oncology Centre in advancing neuro-oncology care and research, and reassures patients and their families that they are receiving world-class care within the NHS.