Mount Vernon consultation begins

12:22pm Thursday 4th September 2008

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AN MP who has led the fight to keep a world-famous cancer centre in Northwood has warned against complacency as a consultation into its future begins.

Nick Hurd, MP for Ruislip and Northwood, said people should not assume anything about the future of Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, to ensure the centre stays open and becomes the hub for cancer services in this area.

He said: “With the history of Mount Vernon, you can’t take anything for granted.

“In this case, there is a clear recommendation to avoid moving cancer services from the centre.

“I would strongly urge all stakeholders to make their voices heard in this consultation.”

A special steering group, set up with members of local NHS trusts, is asking for views on three options for the centre.

Although Nick Carver, chief executive of East and North Herts Hospital NHS Trust, which manages the cancer centre, recently assured Hillingdon Council that Mount Vernon would stay open, the option to close it is still on the table until it has been officially rejected.

However, the steering group has said it is recommending only two of the three options are taken forward, both of which would guarantee Mount Vernon’s future.

Mr Hurd said: “This is good news, I am delighted. This is a milestone in the battle to secure the future of local services at Mount Vernon.

“It is a vindication of the cross-party campaign that was set up to keep local services in Hillingdon.”

Mr Hurd launched the campaign last year, which was quickly supported by a host of politicians from Hertfordshire, Hillingdon and Harrow, as well as local health watchdog Community Voice, whose members have been at the forefront of the campaign.

The suggestion to scrap Mount Vernon was first mooted in the 2002 Varley Review, which suggested centralising services across the NHS.

The idea of building a super hospital in Hatfield, offering cancer services, was being developed until it had to be scrapped in 2006 due to financial constraints.

The campaign to save Mount Vernon has been gathering pace ever since, culminating in the start today of the two-month consultation.

One of the two options which could be taken forward is to retain Mount Vernon and make further developments at the site, in Rickmansworth Road, the preferred option of campaigners.

The other is to simply keep the centre as it is.

Around 200 stakeholders, patients, and user groups will be consulted before a new shortlist of options is decided upon towards the end of the year.