The Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss updates on the consultation for the reprovision of the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, including progress on the consultation itself and specific issues related to transport and access. The meeting also had minutes from a previous meeting scheduled for review.

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, which was live from 19 January to 29 March 2026, seeks views on relocating the centre from Northwood to a new purpose-built facility on the Watford General Hospital site. It also includes proposals for increasing care closer to home and views on radiotherapy options, specifically whether an additional networked radiotherapy unit should be provided at a second site.

The report indicated that the consultation was being conducted in line with legal duties for NHS bodies to involve the public in service planning and changes, adhering to the Gunning principles¹ for fair consultation. The programme team was actively monitoring participation and representativeness, with actions underway to address under-representation in specific areas and communities. Early themes emerging from the consultation showed polarised views, with travel and access being a dominant concern for those opposed to the relocation, while support was linked to access to acute services and a modern facility. The report also detailed the mixed engagement approach being used, including public surveys, events, targeted microgrant conversations with community groups, and clinical and professional engagement.

The committee was asked to note the progress of the consultation, compliance with legal requirements, participation levels, and the early themes being raised. They were also invited to comment on any additional local intelligence that could shape the remainder of the engagement programme.

Mount Vernon Cancer Centre Transport and Access Update

A separate report was scheduled to provide an overview of the work being undertaken concerning transport and access in relation to the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre proposals. This included details of discussions held at public meetings and dedicated focus groups, where transport and access were proactively explored.

Key themes emerging from these discussions included concerns about car parking at the proposed new site, the need for discounted parking for cancer patients, and the specific travel needs of cancer patients compared to general acute hospital patients. Issues raised also covered road access to Watford, public transport across Hertfordshire, and the potential extension of the Metropolitan line. Feedback also touched upon parking at other potential sites for additional services, such as Lister Hospital in Stevenage and Luton and Dunstable Hospital in Luton.

The report highlighted that many transport and access conversations overlapped with discussions about care closer to home, exploring how services could be arranged to reduce the need for travel. Transport modelling had been conducted, and NHS England had commissioned further work by an independent organisation, Opinion Research Services (ORS), to conduct a separate engagement exercise focusing on how patients currently travel to the centre, the factors influencing their choices, and any barriers they face. Surveys and focus groups were planned to gather views from patients, the general public, support organisations, and voluntary transport providers.

The committee was asked to note the ongoing work on 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.

Minutes of the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee Meeting of 24 March 2025

The committee was scheduled to review and confirm the minutes from their previous meeting held on 24 March 2025.