Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cancer Services: North-west London

Tuesday 25 November 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Gareth Thomas inquired about the proposed cancer centre at Northwick Park hospital and invited the Minister to visit and meet clinicians.
  • Mr Gagan Mohindra raised concerns over the closure of Mount Vernon urgent care centre and delays in opening Watford general hospital, affecting Hemel Hempstead hospital access.
  • Karin Smyth stated that integrated care boards are working with MPs to ensure service configuration based on clinical need and local decision-making.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gareth Thomas Labour (Co-op) Harrow West
NHS
Context

Northwick Park hospital, serving Gareth Thomas's constituents, has excellent cancer clinicians who are developing plans for a new cancer centre. The national cancer plan is being rolled out.

Question

Northwick Park hospital benefits from excellent cancer clinicians who aim to improve diagnosis speed and support quality through a proposed cancer centre. Given the roll-out of the national cancer plan, would the Minister visit Northwick Park to meet these clinicians and bring the Secretary of State’s resources?

Answer from The Minister for Secondary Care (Karin Smyth)

While acknowledging Gareth Thomas's long-standing efforts for cancer services improvement, Karin Smyth noted that any changes must be clinically led by local decision makers and engaged patients. She offered to connect him with the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to discuss Northwick Park hospital's plans.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Visit request

How: Any Reconfiguration Or Change To Services Needs To Be Clinically Led

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Q2 Gagan Mohindra Con South West Hertfordshire
NHS
Context

Mount Vernon urgent care centre closed recently, the new Watford general hospital opening has been delayed until at least 2032, causing concern about access to healthcare for Mohindra's constituents.

Question

The closure of Mount Vernon urgent care centre and delays in the opening of Watford general hospital have raised concerns over the future of Hemel Hempstead hospital and access to healthcare services. What steps is the Minister taking to ensure adequate healthcare access?

Answer from The Minister for Secondary Care (Karin Smyth)

Karin Smyth responded that integrated care boards are working with MPs regarding service configuration and the government aims to ensure local areas receive services based on clinical need. She mentioned ongoing discussions about neighbourhood health services and hospital programme sustainability.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps for securing healthcare access

How: It Is A Matter For Integrated Care Boards

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