Services at a specialist cancer centre in north-west London could be moved to Watford after a review found the current site is not fit for purpose.

The set-up at Northwood’s Mount Vernon Cancer Centre was deemed unsuitable after independent advisors and NHS bosses explained changes need to be made for services to continue.

Jessamy Kinghorn, head of partnerships and engagement at NHS England, told a Harrow Council scrutiny committee that one option is to move services to an acute hospital site, with Watford General Hospital earmarked as a leading candidate.

She noted it is yet to be confirmed if this is “possible”, but, following the review and engagement with residents and stakeholders, it is seen as an appropriate next step.

Watford is seen as a location that would satisfy the five key criteria when assessing a new site – it possesses an on-site critical care unit, offers specialist services, and would not significantly increase travel times for users.

A limited consultation with residents in Harrow found most would see this change as acceptable, with other locations further north, such as Luton, deemed less desirable.

Independent advisors found the buildings at Mount Vernon are in a bad state, staff cannot always carry out the care and treatment they would like, and patient care is sometimes split across hospitals.

Ms Kinghorn explained these “complex” issues mean services “aren’t what they could be” and its long-term suitability must be questioned.

She added this could also lead to staffing issues, where some employees might choose to leave as they struggle to carry out their responsibilities due to poor facilities.

Speaking at the committee meeting on Tuesday (February 23), Cllr Chris Mote (Con, Pinner South) agreed there needs to be a solution, describing the current set-up as “ancient”.

He questioned whether any services would be maintained at the Northwood site even if the majority were to move and Ruth Derrett, locality director at NHS England, said this is something that could be considered as part of the wider developments.

She explained this would be under the stewardship of Hillingdon Hospitals, which owns the site, but that possible future uses – such as a neighbourhood hub for cancer patients – have been mentioned.

The future of Mount Vernon has been a key topic for Harrow West MP Gareth Thomas, who said it would be a “national scandal” if services were to cease completely.

And last month, the NHS denied any suggestion services would be shifted to central London given the high volume of users who live outside the capital.