The work is being part funded by the Big Lottery Fund

Velindre Hospital in Cardiff provides specialist cancer services to 1.5 million people in south east Wales.

Its Active Support Unit (ASU) which helps people who are no longer responsive to cancer treatment is in need of modernisation.

Better palliative care through the improvements of wards and family rooms are among the changes planned.

The work is being partly funded by a �480,000 award from the Big Lottery Fund and will also see changes in the facilities for disabled patients as well as better working areas for staff.

The cancer centre at Velindre Hospital in the Whitchurch area of Cardiff opened in 1956.

It is one of the 10 largest cancer centres in the UK and employs 600 staff.

Every year it deals with 5,500 new cancer referrals and 50,000 outpatient appointments.

"The ASU is a crucial building development at Velindre for those patients whose cancer is proving difficult to manage," said Velindre NHS chairman Professor Tony Hazell."

He added: "The new unit will ensure that patients and their families have privacy, within an environment that enhances dignity in care and encourages patients and relatives to be able to voice their concerns and their needs in the context of personalised care.

"The design of the unit has been carefully thought through and planned after consulting with patients and families and staff."