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 the associated consultation feedback. The committee agreed to formally respond to the NHS consultation, opting for Option B, which supports the relocation with the addition of a networked radiotherapy unit at Lister Hospital in Stevenage, and also agreed to continue engaging with the NHS on the project's future stages.

Mount Vernon Cancer Centre Reprovision and Care Closer to Home

The committee received an update on the clinical case for relocating Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (MVCC) and the feedback from the public consultation held between January and March 2026. Jessamine Kinghorn, Head of Partnerships and Engagement for NHS England, presented the findings, highlighting that while the clinical rationale for moving the centre to Watford General Hospital was not challenged, significant concerns were raised about travel, transport, parking, and accessibility.

Dr Amy Guppy, Divisional Medical Director at MVCC, explained the clinical necessity for the move, stating that the current site lacks the acute medical services required for modern cancer treatments. She noted that MVCC is unable to treat complex cases, such as haematological cancers, and that patients requiring acute medical support often need to be transferred to other hospitals, fragmenting care. The proposal aims to future-proof cancer treatment options by co-locating MVCC with Watford General Hospital's acute services.

The public consultation revealed divided opinions, with 48% supporting the relocation and 42% opposing it. Support was generally stronger among healthcare professionals (69%) than the public. Key concerns revolved around perceived impacts on access, with respondents from North West London being most likely to oppose the move due to anticipated longer travel times. Conversely, support was higher in areas like Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes, where WGH was seen as more accessible.

The consultation also explored options for networked radiotherapy, with Options B (additional unit at Lister Hospital, Stevenage) and C (additional unit at Luton and Dunstable Hospital) being the most popular choices among the public, both receiving 29% of the vote, compared to Option A (all radiotherapy at Watford) which received 17%. Clinicians expressed cautious support for a networked model, provided safeguards were in place.

Several suggestions were made to mitigate concerns, including improved patient transport, parking concessions, shuttle bus services, and expanding chemotherapy services at local hospitals like Hillingdon and Northwick Park. The importance of maintaining the calm, therapeutic environment of MVCC was also stressed.

The committee was asked to note the proposed timeline for the Decision-Making Business Case (DMBC) phase, which aims to consolidate evidence for a commissioning decision by the end of September 2026.

Scrutiny Response to Consultation on Proposed Changes to Services at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre

Tim Parlow, Head of Scrutiny, presented the committee with a proposed collective response to the NHS consultation. The committee was asked to agree on the content of this response and their formal statutory position.

Two options were presented for the committee's formal response:

• Option A: Stated the committee was satisfied that the consultation had considered the needs of current patients and residents, and that these needs had been integrated into the consultation.
• Option B: Stated the committee was broadly satisfied but had additional actions or concerns they wished to be addressed.

Following discussion, the committee unanimously agreed to Option B, indicating their broad satisfaction but also their desire for further actions and concerns to be addressed. Councillor Chris Lloyd of Hertfordshire proposed that the committee explore how to continue to engage and support the project, a sentiment echoed by Councillor Wendy Rouse of Hertfordshire, who emphasised the value of the working relationship with the NHS. The Head of Scrutiny agreed to take these points forward, noting that legal advice would be sought on the terms of reference for any ongoing group.

The committee expressed thanks to Jessamy Kinghorn and the NHS England team for their engagement and transparency throughout the process. The meeting concluded with thanks to all speakers, officers, and members for their contributions.