The Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss updates on the public consultation for the reprovision of the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre and the associated transport and access considerations. The meeting agenda also included the minutes from the previous committee meeting.

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, sought views on relocating the centre from Northwood to a new purpose-built facility on the Watford General Hospital site. It also included seeking opinions on radiotherapy options, specifically whether an additional networked radiotherapy unit should be provided at a second site.

The report detailed how the consultation was being delivered and governed, adhering to the Gunning principles, which are a legal test for fair consultation. These principles require that proposals are genuinely under consideration, that sufficient clear information is provided for intelligent response, that adequate time is given for responses, and that decision-makers conscientiously consider the feedback. The consultation employed a mixed engagement approach, including public surveys, online and in-person events, and targeted microgrant conversations with community groups.

As of 23 February 2026, 1,163 public survey responses had been received. However, participation was not evenly distributed geographically, with under-representation noted in North West London, and parts of Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Frimley, including Slough. The demographic profile of respondents was also skewed towards women and white individuals, with actions underway to address these gaps.

Early findings indicated polarised views on the relocation proposal, with travel and access being the dominant concern for those opposed. Support for the move was often linked to access to acute services on site and the prospect of a modern facility. There was also interest in the radiotherapy options, with different areas expressing varying preferences. The report highlighted that public meeting attendance and clinical engagement uptake were currently low, with efforts being made to increase promotion and vary formats.

The committee was asked to note the ongoing consultation period, compliance with legal requirements, participation levels, actions to address under-representation, and the early themes emerging from the feedback. 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

This agenda item was scheduled to provide an overview of the work being undertaken concerning transport and access in relation to the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre consultation. The report indicated that transport and access had been a key theme throughout the development of the proposals.

During the public consultation, over 30 meetings had been held where transport and access were proactively explored through specific question prompts. These questions aimed to understand barriers to accessing the proposed centre, what would make travel manageable or difficult, and the specific considerations for those who do not drive or are unwell. Three dedicated focus groups on transport and access had also taken place, though attendance was low.

Emerging themes from a travel and access perspective included the need for sufficient and affordable car parking at the new site, the importance of considering cancer patients differently from general acute hospital patients regarding travel, and concerns about road access to Watford. Public transport across Hertfordshire and from the South East was also a significant consideration, as was the potential extension of the Metropolitan line. Feedback also touched upon parking at sites that might receive additional services, and the need for improved and more flexible patient transport.

The report noted that many transport and access discussions overlapped with the concept of care closer to home, exploring how services could be arranged to reduce the need for travel to the main centre. This included local blood tests, chemotherapy at home, and better use of technology. Transport modelling had been conducted, and NHS England had commissioned a refresh of this work. Furthermore, an independent engagement exercise by Opinion Research Services (ORS) was underway to gain a deeper understanding of how patients currently access the centre, their travel behaviours, and any barriers they face. This exercise would involve surveys and focus groups with patients, the general public, support organisations, and providers of voluntary transport.

The committee was asked to note the ongoing work on travel and access and to consider, as part of their response to the consultation, writing to Local Authorities to urge them to partner with the NHS in improving access to the new cancer centre.

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

The committee was scheduled to review and agree the minutes from their previous meeting held on 24 March 2025. The minutes from that meeting detailed discussions regarding the draft Mount Vernon Cancer Centre Consultation Plan and the draft Consultation Document. These discussions covered aspects such as ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities, the use of different languages, engagement with various demographic groups, and the approach to tackling disparities in cancer treatment access for certain populations.