This meeting's agenda focuses on the proposed relocation of Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (MVCC) and the Committee's role in scrutinising the consultation process. It includes reports on the case for change, co-location of services, and future management of the centre.

Mount Vernon Cancer Centre Relocation

The Committee will consider a report outlining the case for change regarding the proposed relocation of MVCC to the Watford General Hospital site.

The report identifies challenges related to the quality and safety of the current site, the state of its buildings, and the opportunities presented by relocation.

To provide modern oncology care, comprehensive medical and surgical support services including ITU are needed – this is not now available at MVCC.

- Mount Vernon Cancer Centre Relocation Case for Change

Clinicians have expressed concern that the current site lacks essential clinical services, including critical care and high dependency services, which are crucial for managing the side effects of newer cancer treatments. The buildings themselves are also a concern, with many being over a century old and deemed unfit for modern cancer care.

In 2021, it was estimated that over 50% of the estate was in a poor condition and the backlog maintenance requirement was around £33m (around £14m of this deemed urgent).

- Mount Vernon Cancer Centre Relocation Case for Change

The proposed move aims to address these challenges and presents opportunities to improve patient care, offer a wider range of treatments and clinical trials, and potentially enhance access for patients in certain areas.

Co-location of Services at Watford

The Committee will also review a report on the co-location of cancer clinical services at the Watford Hospital site. This report emphasizes the importance of integrating cancer care with other acute clinical disciplines due to the increasing complexity of cancer treatment and the potential side effects of newer drugs.

Cancer treatment advances and rising incidence of cancer requires cancer care to be delivered differently.

- Mount Vernon Cancer Centre Reprovision - Co-location of Services at Watford Hospital Site

The report highlights that the current location of MVCC makes it difficult to access specialist input from other departments, which is essential for providing comprehensive care. It also notes the collaborative efforts between MVCC, Watford General Hospital, and UCLH to address interdependencies between the providers.

Future Management by UCLH

The Committee will receive a report on the potential future management of MVCC by University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH). In 2020, UCLH was selected as the preferred provider to manage MVCC services, and they have since been involved in developing the reprovision proposals.

In 2020, UCLH was selected as the preferred provider to take on the management of MVCC services in the future. As a result, UCLH have been a key part of the development of proposals for future reprovision of MVCC services which are the subject of this public consultation.

- Mount Vernon Cancer Centre – Future Management by University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

It is important to note that while the transfer of management to UCLH is not part of the public consultation, the proposals assume that the future facility at Watford would be built, owned, and operated by UCLH.

JHOSC Scrutiny of MVCC Consultation

Finally, the Committee will discuss its approach to scrutinising the public consultation process for the proposed MVCC relocation. The report emphasizes the commitment to engaging with patients and the public, noting the extensive focus groups and involvement of a patient reference group throughout the process.

Engagement with patients and the public has been core to the development of proposals for the relocation of Mount Vernon Cancer Centre.

- JHOSC Scrutiny of MVCC Consultation

The proposed approach involves NHS England, leading the consultation, attending themed meetings of the JHOSC to discuss various aspects of the consultation and its quality. The Committee, in turn, will assess how effectively commissioners have considered and responded to the views gathered during the public consultation. The report also acknowledges the role of individual Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees in ensuring local populations are informed and engaged in the consultation process.