Professor Tom Crosby OBE’s legacy ‘will be felt for many years to come’ after decades of service
Professor Tom Crosby OBE, a dedicated consultant at Velindre in Cardiff, has sadly died (Image: Velindre University NHS Trust)
Tributes have been paid after the death of a devoted Cardiff doctor widely recognised for the contribution he made to cancer care in Wales and across the UK.
Velindre University Health Trust described Professor Tom Crosby OBE, who worked at the Velindre Cancer Centre in the Welsh capital for decades, as a “much-loved and highly respected consultant” whose legacy “will be felt for many years to come”.
Those who worked with Prof Crosby paid tribute to the commitment he had for his patients as well as colleagues.
Jaz Abraham, medical director at the Velindre trust, said: “Tom was an outstanding clinician, leader, colleague and friend. Those who worked alongside him will remember his generosity, his warmth, and the care he showed to colleagues as much as to patients and families.”
Prof Crosby’s loss “will be felt profoundly by many people”, Dr Abraham added.
Prof Crosby was a renowned specialist in upper gastrointestinal cancer and played a leading role in the Wales Cancer Network and as the national cancer clinical director led on the development of national cancer delivery and improvement plans, the single cancer pathway, and played a key role in the transformation of oncology services in southeast Wales.
His contribution was recognised through the award of an honorary professorship by Cardiff University and an OBE for services to cancer services in Wales and the UK in 2019.
Away from his clinical work Prof Crosby remained dedicated to improving outcomes for people affected by cancer. The health board describe him as a “tireless supporter” of the Velindre cancer charity giving his time, energy, and personal commitment to multiple bike rides and fundraising activities in support of the patients, families, and services he cared so deeply about.
Velindre University Health Trust said Prof Crosby’s death is “profoundly sad news” for the organisation. “Our thoughts are with Tom’s family, friends, colleagues, patients, co-fundraisers, and all those who knew and worked alongside him. We know that his passing will be deeply felt,” a statement said.
The trust’s CEO Carl James wrote in a tribute: “Tom was an inspirational leader, a much-valued colleague, and friend. His contribution to cancer services in Wales was truly exceptional. Through his national leadership, his work to improve cancer pathways, and his commitment to transforming services for patients he helped shape cancer care not only for Velindre but for people and families across Wales and beyond.
“He brought clarity, ambition, and humanity to some of the most important developments in cancer services and his legacy will be felt for many years to come. On behalf of the trust I want to extend our deepest condolences to Tom’s family, friends, colleagues, and all those who knew and loved him.”
Dr Abraham added: “We are incredibly grateful for all that Tom gave to Velindre and to cancer care across the whole of Wales and the UK and beyond. Our thoughts are with his family and everyone affected by this very sad news.”
Prof Crosby was widely recognised for his leadership in upper GI and esophago-gastric cancer research, service improvement, and clinical practice. He ran a clinical trial, was co-lead of a cancer audit, and helped to set up a multiprofessional oesophago-gastric group in the UK and Ireland.
He also helped to establish and develop the Cardiff FRCR course for clinical oncology which is now globally recognised.
Ending a tribute to the much-loved doctor a spokesman for Velindre said: “Thank you Tom. Diolch Tom.”
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