Velindre University NHS Trust welcomes Audit Wales report on new Velindre Cancer Centre

We welcome the Audit Wales report on the new Velindre Cancer Centre (nVCC) project. 

The scope of the audit was to examine the decision-making process for the nVCC. The report has done this and concludes that the Trust followed due process, was well governed and arrived at sound decisions. 

Our new Velindre Cancer Centre is scheduled to open spring 2027 and will deliver better outcomes through world-class cancer treatment, enhanced diagnostic capability and greater access to innovation, training and research. The nVCC will improve access to clinical trials, offer cutting-edge treatment with expanded clinical capacity helping our patients receive better care now and in the future. The nVCC is key in Velindre’s fundamental shift towards delivering care in the right place - combining a state-of-the-art specialist cancer centre with an expanded network of regional assets and working with a wide range of partners across South East Wales. 

Velindre University NHS Trust interim Chief Executive Officer, Carl James said: “The findings of this Audit Wales report provide important independent assurance about the way in which decisions on the new Velindre Cancer Centre have been taken. As a Board, we have been clear about our responsibility to ensure strong governance, transparency and scrutiny at every stage of this complex and long-term project. The report recognises that appropriate arrangements were in place to support decision-making and that these decisions were informed by sound advice, challenge and due process."  

The report outlines:  

• Overall, the governance arrangements supporting key decisions provide assurance that they were properly made. 
• The Trust followed well-established business case and project management processes satisfactorily enough. 
• There has been appropriate scrutiny and expert and stakeholder input. 
• The procurement process followed the regulations in place at the time, informed by extensive legal advice. 

The report adds that without the nVCC, the Trust would have needed to continue managing the existing cancer centre and invest in works to fix the maintenance backlog to bring our clinical areas up to the required standard. Audit Wales estimate this would have cost at least £600m over 25 years. This would also be without any additional benefits our new cancer centre offers. 

The projected cost for the design, construction, finance and maintenance under the nVCC contract is £885m over 25 years.