The Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to receive updates on the public consultation for the reprovision of Mount Vernon Cancer Centre. Discussions were planned to cover the progress of the consultation, including participation levels and emerging themes, as well as specific considerations regarding transport and access for patients.

Mount Vernon Cancer Centre Reprovision Consultation Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the ongoing public consultation regarding proposals for the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre. This consultation seeks views on relocating the centre from Northwood to a new purpose-built facility on the Watford General Hospital site, alongside changes to increase care closer to home. Views were also to be sought on radiotherapy options, including the potential provision of an additional networked radiotherapy unit at a second site.

The report was set to summarise how the consultation is being delivered and governed, adhering to the Gunning principles¹ to ensure a fair process. It was also intended to share information on participation and representativeness, along with early emerging themes from the consultation period, which was scheduled to run from 19 January to 29 March 2026. The programme team was expected to outline actions being taken to address any gaps in reach and response before the consultation closes. The committee was asked to note the progress of the consultation, compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and the early themes being raised. They were also invited to comment on any additional local intelligence that might shape the remainder of the engagement programme.

The background to the proposals highlights the need for change due to a lack of acute medical support for modern cancer care, variable cancer outcomes, and limitations of the current site for offering cutting-edge treatments and participating in trials. The consultation presents three options: Option A involves relocating the centre to Watford General Hospital and delivering enhanced care closer to home changes. Option B adds a networked radiotherapy unit at Lister Hospital in Stevenage, while Option C includes a similar unit at Luton and Dunstable Hospital in Luton.

As of 23 February 2026, there had been 1,163 public survey responses. However, participation was not evenly distributed geographically, with under-representation noted in North West London, Bucks Oxfordshire and Berks West, and Frimley, including Slough. The demographic profile of respondents was skewed towards women and white individuals. Early survey findings indicated polarised views on the relocation proposal, with travel and access being the dominant concern for those opposed, while support was linked to access to acute services and a modern facility.

The committee was also scheduled to consider a report on transport and access, a key theme identified throughout the consultation process. This report was to detail the proactive exploration of transport and access issues during public meetings, with specific question prompts designed to elicit detailed feedback. Three dedicated focus groups on transport and access had also been held. Emerging themes from a travel and access perspective included concerns about car parking, discounted parking rates for cancer patients, the need for road access to Watford, public transport across Hertfordshire, and the potential extension of the Metropolitan line.

NHS England had commissioned an independent engagement exercise by Opinion Research Services (ORS) to further understand how patients access the centre, focusing on current travel methods, behaviours, circumstances shaping choices, and barriers to using MVCC services. This work was intended to inform the Decision-Making Business Case. The committee was asked to note the ongoing work around travel and access and to consider writing to Local Authorities urging them to partner with the NHS in improving access to a new cancer centre in Watford.