Gareth Thomas

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MP raises concerns about Mount Vernon in Parliament again

Speaking in discussions about Foundation hospitals in the House of Commons yesterday Gareth Thomas again attacked plans by the Bedfordshire & Herts Strategic Health Authority to move the Cancer Centre from Mount Vernon out into Hertfordshire.

Present listening to his speech during the Committee Stage of the Health & Social Care Bill were Hazel Blears MP and John Hutton MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary’s of State at the Department of Health.

Gareth highlighted the need for both North West London Strategic Health Authority and Bedfordshire and Herts Strategic Health Authority to listen to the concerns of local people and not continue with the possible move of the Cancer Centre from Mount Vernon.

Gareth secured from the Prime Minister three weeks ago an assurance that if the Bedfordshire and Herts. Plan to move the Cancer Centre is put before ministers that no decision will be taken by the relevant minister until they have met with Gareth and representatives of the local community from Harrow.

Gareth has recently met with members of Community Voice, the Pinner Association, the South Harrow Residents Association and Hatch End Association to discuss stepping up the campaign against the proposals to move the Cancer Centre.

In the last two weeks an extension to the consultation process has been announced to allow the North West London Strategic Health Authority to consider whether the Cancer Centre can be retained at Mount Vernon.

Gareth said:

“Whilst I welcome the decision to extend the consultation process the one thing experience has taught us should be not to stop campaigning for Mount Vernon. I am determined to continue to promote the importance of retaining cancer services at Mount Vernon in the House of Commons over the next 3 months.”