The North West London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss an update on the 'Compassionate Care for All' public consultation and proposals for a new, consistent model of community-based specialist palliative care (CSPC) across North West London. The committee was also due to receive an update on the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (MVCC) and its future, including next steps following a public consultation. Additionally, a presentation on a new Involvement Strategy was scheduled, alongside a verbal update from the Chief Executive of the North West London Integrated Care System (NWL ICS) on recent developments. Finally, the committee was to receive the 2023-24 and 2024-25 scrutiny recommendations trackers.

Community-Based Specialist Palliative Care (CSPC) Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the 'Compassionate Care for All' programme, which aims to implement a new, consistent model of community-based specialist palliative care across North West London. The report pack detailed the extensive engagement and co-design process with residents, community organisations, clinicians, and NHS and charitable providers since December 2021.

The proposed model of care is designed to address inconsistencies in current service provision, ensuring that all adult residents across the eight boroughs have access to high-quality specialist palliative care. Key features of the new model include:

• Care in the home: A 7-day service available 12 hours per day in all boroughs for adult community specialist palliative care teams, expanded hospice at home services available 7 days a week, and 24/7 specialist telephone advice available to anyone.
• Care in a community inpatient setting: The introduction of 46 new enhanced end-of-life care beds across all boroughs, in addition to the existing 57 specialist hospice inpatient beds. These enhanced beds are intended for patients who do not meet the criteria for a hospice inpatient bed but cannot remain at home or do not wish to be in a hospital.
• Outpatient and wellbeing care: Increasing specialist palliative care consultant and practitioner-led clinics in all boroughs, a consistent care pathway for dedicated bereavement and psychological support across all boroughs, and expansion of lymphoedema services to care for both cancer and non-cancer patients.

The report pack also outlined two implementation options that were consulted upon: Option A, the preferred option, which involves fully implementing the proposed model without reopening the Pembridge Palliative Care Inpatient Unit, and Option B, which includes reopening the Pembridge inpatient unit. Option A was favoured due to its quicker implementation and wider benefit to residents, requiring less additional funding. The report highlighted that the Pembridge inpatient unit has been suspended since 2018 due to staffing challenges, and recruitment for specialist palliative care consultants has been unsuccessful.

Update on Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (MVCC)

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (MVCC), which provides non-surgical specialised cancer care to a population across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, North West London, North Central London, and parts of Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. The centre is reportedly at risk of closure without significant changes, including potential relocation of services to an acute hospital site.

The report pack detailed the challenges faced by MVCC, including a lack of essential acute medical support services such as A&E and intensive care, which limits the services that can be offered and disrupts patient care. The proposed solution involves relocating MVCC to a purpose-built cancer centre at Watford General Hospital, with additional services offered in local hospitals to minimise patient travel. This includes enhanced research opportunities, a new haematology unit, and expanded local chemotherapy and radiotherapy services.

A public consultation was planned for later in the summer of 2025 to gather feedback on these proposed changes. The report noted that patient and public engagement had been extensive since 2019, with concerns primarily focusing on maintaining high standards of care, retaining the existing staff team, and reducing travel burdens for treatment. The proposals have been discussed with several Health Scrutiny Committees, and a Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee has been established by ten Local Authorities to scrutinise the public consultation.

Introduction to a New Involvement Strategy

A presentation was scheduled on the new Involvement Strategy, which aims to outline how the North West London Integrated Care System (NWL ICS) will engage with patients, the public, and stakeholders in the development and delivery of services. The strategy is expected to detail how feedback will be gathered and incorporated into service design and implementation.

Verbal Update from the Chief Executive of the NWL ICS

The committee was due to hear a verbal update from the Chief Executive of the NW London ICS, Rob Hurd, regarding recent developments and announcements. This would likely cover ongoing strategic priorities, financial pressures, and any significant national or regional policy changes impacting the ICS.

North West London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee Recommendations Tracker

The committee was scheduled to receive the latest recommendations trackers for both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 municipal years. These trackers provide a summary of scrutiny recommendations made and the progress of decisions made by NHS bodies in response. This allows the committee to maintain oversight of the implementation of previous recommendations and information requests.

The meeting was scheduled to take place in person at the Brent Civic Centre. Councillor Chetna Halai, representing the London Borough of Harrow, was listed as a member of the committee.