North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre re-designated Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence

31.07.2025

The cancer treatment centre for North Wales has been re-designated a Centre of Excellence for the research, treatment and care provided to patients with a brain tumour.

As part of the Liverpool and North Wales Neuro-Oncology Network, North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre (NWCTC) was one of only 14 centres across the UK to receive the accolade from the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission (TJBCM). It also means all neuro-oncology cancer centres in Wales now hold the title after it was also awarded to the South Wales Neuro-Oncology Network.

NWCTC was first awarded the designation in December 2021, as part of the Liverpool and North Wales Network, and the latest award showcases the consistently high quality of care, research and treatment received by patients across the region.

Consultant clinical oncologist, Dr Win Soe, said: “This award recognises and rewards adult neuro-oncology centres providing excellence in treatment, care and research for adults suffering with primary brain cancers.

“The neuro-oncology team at the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre is delighted to have been one of only 14 centres in the UK awarded the prestigious Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence Award this year.

“It was particularly poignant as our dear colleague Dr Brian Haylock has retired following his long and illustrious career in neuro-oncology. Additionally, it was pleasing to congratulate the team from South Wales who have also gained this award.

“The neuro-oncology service relies on many healthcare teams and professionals within the Health Board and we would like to thank all the multidisciplinary team members who help us to look after our patients, their families and loved ones, both in the acute hospital setting and also in the community. This is certainly an achievement to be proud of.”

Sian Hughes-Jones Head of Nursing for cancer Services said: “We are very proud of our neuro – oncology team for once again achieving the excellent standards required to achieve this award. It is a true reflection of our team`s care, compassion and commitment to continue to deliver a service of excellence to our people within North Wales."

Lord Darzi, who led the review of the NHS in England in 2024, said: “The award of fourteen new Centres of Excellence is a fitting tribute to Dame Tessa Jowell and her dedication to improving treatment and care for patients with a brain tumour. This programme shows the NHS at its very best, highlighting teams across the country that are working tirelessly to improve their services and deliver excellent care.”

The three-yearly review of Neuro-Oncology centres across the UK was funded and supported by the UK Government and the Mission’s partner charities. All of those awarded Centre of Excellence status “met or exceeded standards in treatment, care and research above those expected by the NHS”, according to the expert panel. Its rigorous assessment process evaluated areas including clinical care, quality of life care and access to clinical trials and research.

The Liverpool and North Wales Neuro-Oncology Network comprises The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and the North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre.

The awards were presented by Tessa Jowell’s Daughter Jess Mills at the Frances Crick Institute in London, one of Europe’s largest biomedical labs. It’s the base for more than 1,500 scientists working to understand health, disease and how life works.

Jan Edwards and Annie Ingram, our neuro-oncology nurses, travelled with colleagues from The Walton Centre and Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, to receive the award.

Jess Mills said: “Mum’s legacy to transform outcomes for brain cancer patients across the UK has reached another milestone. It has been so moving to witness how committed the teams caring for patients are to come on this journey with us.”

Dame Tessa Jowell, formerly a Labour MP and Culture Secretary, was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma in May 2017. It is the most aggressive and most common form of cancer which begins in the brain.

As a result of her emotional speech to the House of Lords in January 2018, on the subject of brain cancer treatment, the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission was founded the following month. She died in May 2018 at her home in Warwickshire.

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