The Challenges

MVCC, located in Northwood, lacks essential medical support services such as A&E and intensive care, which are critical for modern cancer treatment. The main reasons we need to make these changes are:

• Lack of acute medical support – The site lacks the acute medical support that is necessary for modern cancer care, especially for newer drugs and complex therapies. This limits the services that can be offered, disrupts care and delays treatment.

• 
Improving outcomes – Cancer outcomes are variable and below average in some areas. Reducing health inequalities and improving access leads to better outcomes. Patients face long travel times and inconsistent access to care, particularly in rural and deprived areas.

• Research opportunities – The current site limits our ability to offer cutting-edge treatments and take part in trials. We need to increase opportunities for cancer research and treatment.

In addition, there are a range of building constraints. The existing facilities are outdated, difficult to maintain, and unsuitable for modern treatment. However, fixing these without moving to an acute site will not resolve the long-term challenges the services face.

The Proposed Solution

The proposal involves relocating MVCC to a purpose-built cancer centre at Watford General Hospital, with additional services offered in local hospitals to minimise patient travel. The key elements of the plan include:

• A modern, well-equipped cancer centre next to Watford General Hospital, providing access to essential acute medical services.

• Enhanced research opportunities.

• A new haematology unit to allow specialist inpatient and outpatient haematology care.

• This cancer centre would be run by UCLH (subject to the conclusion of due diligence – a process which enables UCLH to fully understand and agree to the services and risk they would be taking on).

• Increased availability of chemotherapy at home for eligible patients.

• More diagnostic services and blood tests at local hospitals.

• A new chemotherapy unit at Hillingdon Hospital and expanded chemotherapy services at Northwick Park Hospital.

• An additional radiotherapy unit at either Lister Hospital (Stevenage) or Luton & Dunstable Hospital to reduce travel times for patients in the north.

• New transport options to ensure no patient misses treatment due to travel difficulties.

• Improved digital and shared care records to allow easier prescription collection and remote consultations.

Benefits of the Changes

The proposed changes aim to:

• Ensure continued access to specialist cancer care for patients across Hertfordshire, North London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and East Berkshire.

• 
Improve cancer outcomes by providing better facilities and immediate medical support.

• Increase research and innovation opportunities, enabling access to the latest treatments and clinical trials.

• Reduce healthcare inequalities by making care more accessible to underserved communities.

• Expand local and home-based treatment options, minimising unnecessary hospital visits.

• Modernise cancer care facilities to support current and future medical advancements.

Patient and Public Involvement

Since 2019, extensive engagement with patients, carers, and healthcare professionals has helped shape the proposals. While many patients value the existing staff and care at MVCC, they recognize the need for modern facilities. Public concerns primarily focus on:

• Ensuring high standards of care are maintained.

• Keeping the existing staff team together.

• Reducing travel burdens for treatment.

As part of our public consultation, we want to hear the views of cancer patients, their families and carers, people living in the area MVCC serves, staff and other stakeholders.

We are particularly keen to know:

• How the proposed changes affect travel and accessibility for different communities.

• What challenges patient and carers might face in accessing specialist cancer care at a new location.

• What types of cancer care people think should be available closer to home, and how important is the option of an additional radiotherapy unit in Luton or Stevenage.

• Whether there are particular groups that might be disproportionately affected by the proposals and what we could do to reduce inequalities in cancer care.

• Whether there are any improvements that could be made to the proposals.

We are running a public consultation from 19th January to 29th March 2026.

You can find out more about how to get involved and give your views.

You can contact us at:

Postal address: Freepost MVCC REVIEW

PROGRAMME TEAM (NHS ENGLAND)

Telephone: 01923 378577

Email: mvcc.review@nhs.net