Agreement reached to build new Velindre Cancer Centre
This afternoon, final agreement has been reached between the Trust and Acorn consortium to design, build and maintain the new Velindre Cancer Centre, scheduled to open in 2027.
The new cancer centre will deliver a vital world-class facility within which we can deliver care and treatment for patients today and for future generations as more of us are diagnosed with cancer.
The current Velindre Cancer Centre is more than 68 years old and serves the 1.7 million patient population of southeast Wales and for some further afield. It delivers a range of non-surgical tertiary cancer services for the region in partnership with Aneurin Bevan, Cardiff and Vale, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board Partners and Powys Teaching Health Board.
Today marks a significant milestone for Velindre University NHS Trust and cancer care in Wales. Construction will start in the coming weeks at the site in Whitchurch, Cardiff, with the opening scheduled for 2027.
View of the new Velindre Cancer Centre overlooking the Kitchen Garden
The development comes a year after the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services Eluned Morgan announced funding (January 2023) for new cancer treatment facilities, equipment, and software in southeast Wales to transform how radiotherapy services are delivered. State-of-the-art equipment is replacing the existing linear accelerator radiotherapy fleet and a further two will be housed in the new radiotherapy satellite centre at Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny which will be opened in 2025.
Velindre University NHS Trust Chief Executive Steve Ham said: “This marks a major milestone in the project to build our much-needed new cancer centre. We are proud of the work our staff do day in, day out to treat, care and support patients from all over southeast Wales.
“Now, we will build a world-class NHS facility that will support our staff to deliver care of the highest standard for cancer patients across south Wales and beyond. It will be an inspiring workplace for our dedicated staff to thrive, and support internationally renowned cancer research and collaboration across the region. The new centre will be a long-lasting feature of the wider NHS Wales estate and create a benchmark for environmental sustainability.”
Radiotherapy waiting area looking in landscaped courtyard
The new Velindre Cancer Centre represents a significant investment in healthcare infrastructure and reflects the Welsh Government’s commitment to improving cancer care and advancing medical research in Wales and beyond. The award-winning design of the new cancer centre is both patient and staff-centred and one of the most sustainable hospitals in the UK. It will combine a state-of-the-art facility for treatment and research alongside an outdoor space that is calming, encourages improved biodiversity, and gives back to the environment and community.
Richard Coe, Project Director, Kajima Partnerships, said: “It has been an exciting journey for us in partnership with the Trust to work towards this goal as we develop a cancer centre for now and future generations. Our design will ensure the new centre has minimum impact on the environment and that it provides a practical, elegant facility in which patients, staff and the wider community can use the centre and the landscaped grounds. We look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on patients and their families for years to come."
Café on the ground floor
New Velindre Cancer Centre Project Director David Powell said: “I want to thank all our incredibly dedicated staff for their contributions in getting us to this pivotal milestone. The exciting next stage of our project will build on years of hard work and dedication and we’re excited to share the journey with staff, patients and everyone in our community.”
The new Velindre Cancer Centre is being funded through a Mutual Investment Model with the support of the Welsh Government. The Mutual Investment Model (MIM) is a Welsh Government designed model to finance major capital projects, for example social and economic infrastructure projects, to improve public services in Wales.
The Acorn consortium was appointed following a public procurement process run by Velindre University NHS Trust, and includes Sacyr, Abrdn, Kier Facilities Services, White Arkitekter, BAC, Hydrock, Ingho, ICCA, MJ Medical, Turley, Studio Response, Camlins Landscape Architects, RSK, Bureau Veritas, Osborne Clarke, Operis, Howden, Mazars, Cloud Nine, Evolution Infrastructure, Addleshaw Goddard, Marsh, AECOM, Lloyds, Geldards, Pinsent Mason and Artelia.
Entrance to the new Velindre Cancer Centre
The funding group includes Aviva Investors, Siemens, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, CaixaBank, Norinchukin, Nomura and Nord/LB.
We will provide further updates when available as work starts on the next phase of our project. Follow our Velindre Matters Facebook and X account to stay up to date with all our announcements and updates.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with the team at contact.velindre@wales.nhs.uk