Statement on Velindre Cancer Centre Proposals
Across Cardiff North, all residents I speak with tell me they want to see first class cancer facilities and all support the incredible work of Velindre Cancer Centre. As a resident of Cardiff North and coming from a family who have benefited from outstanding care from Velindre Cancer Centre, I support the pressing need for improvements to cancer facilities in South Wales.
There have been legitimate concerns raised by clinicians into the clinical model for a 'stand alone’ cancer centre, with the Nuffield Review highlighting the new centre, as proposed, may be outdated in 10/15yrs time.
Therefore, the decision by the Health Minister to approve the proposals is premature and should only have been made following an independent review into the proposals. No independent review has taken place.
An independent review could and should have been commissioned by the Welsh Government and would have taken 8 weeks to consider the proposals and report back to the Health Minister, to ensure he was fully informed when making his decision.
Labour politicians, including the sitting MS, have put their party before the views of local people. This is disgraceful. The views of people living near the site cannot just be ignored by a Labour Welsh Government that seems happy to disregard what local people think. It’s essential that the Minister reverses this decision until an independent review is undertaken.
Joel Williams