The Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 16 June 2026 to discuss the proposed relocation of the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (MVCC) and to formulate a formal response to the public consultation on these proposals. The committee agreed to support the relocation of MVCC to Watford General Hospital, with additional actions recommended to address concerns about access, transport, and patient experience.

Mount Vernon Cancer Centre Relocation and Consultation Response

The committee discussed the extensive public consultation undertaken regarding the proposed relocation of the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (MVCC) from its current site in Northwood to a new purpose-built facility adjacent to Watford General Hospital. The rationale for the relocation centres on the clinical need for MVCC to be co-located with acute hospital services, such as A&E and critical care, which are essential for modern, complex cancer treatments. The current MVCC site is described as unsustainable due to its lack of these essential services and the deteriorating condition of its buildings.

The public consultation, which ran from January to March 2026, involved over 3,000 participants. Key themes emerging from the consultation included:

• Support for relocation: Many respondents recognised the clinical necessity for change and supported the move to Watford General Hospital, citing potential benefits such as improved safety, access to advanced treatments, and better facilities.
• Concerns about travel and access: A dominant concern across all consultation feedback was the perceived difficulty of travelling to Watford General Hospital. Issues raised included increased journey times and costs, traffic congestion, parking availability and cost, and the reliability of public and patient transport. These concerns were particularly pronounced among older people, disabled individuals, those on lower incomes, and residents from North West London.
• Preference for care closer to home: There was broad support for proposals to increase chemotherapy services at Hillingdon Hospital and Northwick Park Hospital, and to expand chemotherapy at home options. The idea of repatriating haematology services for Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire patients from University College London Hospital (UCLH) to the new Watford centre was also generally supported.
• Radiotherapy options: Respondents were asked to consider three options for radiotherapy services: all at Watford (Option A), an additional unit at Lister Hospital in Stevenage (Option B), or an additional unit at Luton and Dunstable Hospital (Option C). Options B and C received similar levels of support, with preferences often linked to geographical location. Option B was favoured by respondents in Hertfordshire and West Essex, while Option C was strongly preferred by those in Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes. Option A was less popular overall.
• Patient experience and environment: Many respondents valued the calm, green environment of the current MVCC site and expressed concerns about whether this could be replicated at a busy acute hospital like Watford General. There were also calls to ensure the continuation of holistic support services and the unique patient-centred culture of MVCC.
• Workforce and implementation: Concerns were raised about staff recruitment and retention, particularly regarding potential changes to pay and terms of service, and the impact of increased travel for staff. There were also calls for clear governance, communication, and robust transition planning to ensure service continuity.

The committee considered two options for its formal response to the consultation:

• Option A: Stating satisfaction that the consultation adequately considered the needs of patients and residents, with no further recommendations.
• Option B: Broadly satisfying that needs were considered, but recommending additional actions to address outstanding concerns.

Councillor Chris Lloyd for Hertfordshire proposed an amendment to Option B, suggesting that the committee should be more positive in its wording and explicitly state its satisfaction with the consultation process. Councillor Wendy Rouse for Hertfordshire agreed, emphasising the value of the collaborative working relationship established with NHS England.

The committee ultimately agreed to Option B, with the understanding that additional actions and concerns would be incorporated into the formal response. These actions will focus on ensuring that the needs of current patients and residents are fully considered and that outstanding concerns are addressed. The formal response is due to be submitted by 16 July 2026.

Election of Vice-Chair

Councillor Ekta Gohil was elected as the Vice-Chair of the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Mount Vernon Cancer Centre Re-provision Consultation and Care Closer to Home Updates

The committee received an update on the clinical case for change underpinning the proposals to relocate the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (MVCC). Dr Amy Guppy, Divisional Medical Director at MVCC and clinical lead, explained that the current site is not sustainable due to a lack of acute clinical services, which limits the centre's ability to treat complex cases and undertake early-phase clinical trials. The proposal is to relocate to a site with acute facilities, such as Watford General Hospital, to future-proof cancer treatment options.

Jessamy Kinghorn, Head of Partnerships and Engagement from NHS England, presented findings from the public consultation. She noted that while the clinical case for change was not challenged, concerns were raised about travel, transport, parking, and accessibility. The consultation found that 48% of respondents supported the proposals, while 42% opposed them, with support generally stronger among healthcare professionals.

The committee heard that the programme team is establishing a joint travel and access working group to explore mitigations for perceived access impacts. Patient experience and design groups are also reviewing consultation responses to inform the design of any future centre. An updated Equality Health Impact Assessment is underway to consider the impact on vulnerable groups.

The committee was also updated on the proposed timeline for the Decision-Making Business Case (DMBC), which is expected to be completed by the end of September 2026. Workstreams include finance and activity modelling, clinical model development, workforce planning, and impact assessments. Patient and public involvement will continue through a Patient Partnership Group and task-focused groups.

The committee noted the proposed timeline and rationale for the approach, providing feedback to inform the next stage of the programme. The recommendations were unanimously agreed.

Other Business

There was no other Part I business raised during the meeting.

The Chair thanked Jessamy Kinghorn from NHS England and all the speakers for their contributions. The committee also thanked the officers for their hard work in organising the meeting. The Chair acknowledged the sound and technical issues experienced during the meeting and apologised for any inconvenience. The meeting concluded with thanks to all attendees for their time and patience.