The consultation follows an agreement to fund the project earlier this month.

Simon Wood, programme leader for NHS England in the East of England, said: ‘Securing a future for Mount Vernon is great news for patients in the region. These proposals would enable us to bring together two brilliant services to create a world-class centre of excellence.

‘We now want to hear from patients, staff and other interested stakeholders on what benefits, as well as what challenges, this proposal may bring.'

Subject to the outcome of consultation, management of the services provided by Mount Vernon Cancer Centre would transfer from East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust to University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH).

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, a world-leading healthcare organisation, and other NHS partners who we are delighted to work with on what we believe to be a flagship opportunity to bring to life the ambitions in the 10-Year Plan.

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 online consultation can be found on the Mount Vernon Cancer Services Review website (mvccreview.nhs.uk) and will close on Sunday 29 March 2026.