WATFORD GENERAL PLANS DELAY PROGRESS FOR CANCER CENTRE

Vital work to provide a new building for the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre MVCC) is being held up by wrangling among NHS bureaucrats.

The delay – which could mean cancer patients waiting ten years for much-needed new premises – is being caused by the determination of West Herts Trust to press ahead with rebuilding Watford General.

New analysis by Dacorum Health Action Group explains that:

  • Cancer centres, where patients are treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, need to be located next to acute hospitals where facilities like intensive care units are available
  • The MVCC buildings at Northwood, Middlesex, are in very poor condition and are far from the necessary acute services, making care difficult for patients and staff
  • Watford General has been put forward by the NHS as the site for a new MVCC
  • But the NHS is giving priority to the 7-year rebuild of Watford General, with the MVCC move taking second place
  • Dacorum Health Action Group (DHAG) is calling on the NHS to explore clear new accessible sites where a new MVCC could be located alongside a new West Hertfordshire A&E hospital

DHAG’s new analysis of the MVCC situation is below:

Briefing Note on Mount Vernon