There are just days to go before the public consultation opens on proposals to secure the future of specialist cancer services at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre. Between 19 January and 29 March 2026, patients, staff, stakeholders and the public will be invited to share their views on plans to relocate the centre to a new, purpose-built facility next to Watford General Hospital.
The proposals aim to create a world-class cancer centre alongside the redevelopment of Watford General Hospital, providing modern facilities for cancer care while maintaining access to essential services such as Accident and Emergency and critical care. The new centre would serve more than two million people across Hertfordshire, north west London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and east Berkshire.
Modern cancer treatment increasingly relies on integrated care, and the new facility would include expanded chemotherapy, diagnostics, and follow-up care at local hospitals. The plans also include increasing chemotherapy delivered at home and reducing long-distance travel for routine appointments. Additionally, there is a proposal to locate a second radiotherapy unit at either Luton and Dunstable Hospital or Lister Hospital in Stevenage, improving access for patients in the north of the area currently served by Mount Vernon Cancer Centre.
The proposals have been developed over several years with input from patients and staff following an independent review that highlighted limitations at the existing site. These constraints have affected the number of patients treated and restricted the availability of some trials and treatments.
Clare Panniker, Regional Director of NHS England in the East of England, said: “Mount Vernon Cancer Centre has a proud history and an exceptional team, but the facilities no longer meet the needs of today’s complex cancer care. These proposals would enable us to bring together two brilliant services to create a world-class centre of excellence, serving local communities with high-quality healthcare delivered by the same compassionate staff, for decades to come.”
Integrating the cancer centre into the redevelopment of Watford General Hospital is expected to deliver efficiencies through shared construction and project arrangements, reducing costs without increasing the burden on taxpayers. Subject to consultation and due diligence, management of Mount Vernon’s services would transfer from East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust to University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH).
A £12 million programme of enabling works is already underway at Watford General Hospital to prepare the site for the new hospital building, with rapid progress on the detailed design of the cancer centre expected once the consultation concludes.
Matthew Coats, chief executive of West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Expanding the Watford General scheme to include Mount Vernon Cancer Centre would be a major step forward in delivering both a world class cancer centre and a state-of-the-art hospital, which would benefit patients, our communities and our brilliant staff. We’re very grateful for the partnership with UCLH and other NHS partners on what we believe to be a flagship opportunity to bring to life the ambitions in the 10-year plan.”
Adam Sewell-Jones, chief executive at East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust, added: “Our staff at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre deliver outstanding care, and a new cancer centre would allow them to provide the most modern, innovative treatments. Continuity and quality of care for our patients and staff remains our highest priority. We will also ensure there will be plenty of opportunities for patients and staff to ask questions about the proposals and express their views.”
David Probert, chief executive at UCLH, said: “We are delighted that funding has now been agreed for the proposal to relocate Mount Vernon Cancer Centre to a new purpose-built facility in Watford. We look forward to working with West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and other partners following the outcome of the consultation, to deliver a long-awaited and sustainable future for this important centre.”
The public consultation will run from 19 January until 29 March 2026, with both online and in-person opportunities for people to take part and share their views on the future of cancer services in the region.
