The Over 50s Black Men Forum (O5BM) is proud to have been selected by the NHS and Olovus to host a vital community conversation as part of the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre (MVCC) public consultation. This selection recognises O5BM’s deep roots within the community and our trusted relationship with local people, ensuring that the voices, experiences and concerns of our members help shape the future of cancer care in our region.
We would also like to sincerely thank MVCC for trusting O5BM to engage our members in a way that community organisations are uniquely placed to do. By working through O5BM, the consultation was able to reach people without many of the typical constraints that NHS or other research organisations often face when trying to engage communities directly. That trust made a real difference, and we are grateful for the opportunity to support such an important conversation.
A Platform for Our Community
On 14 March 2026, O5BM members gathered at the Lewsey Learning Centre in Luton for a session facilitated by O5BM to discuss the proposed move of the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre from Northwood to a new, purpose-built site at Watford General Hospital.
The NHS is proposing this move to ensure that patients have access to on-site emergency care and modern facilities that the current Northwood site cannot provide. For our members in Luton, this change could mean a significant reduction in travel time, with Watford being around 10 miles closer and potentially saving up to 45 minutes compared with travelling into London.
What stood out most on the day was the depth of participation from our members. O5BM was overwhelmed and genuinely blown away by the level of engagement. People spoke openly, honestly and passionately about what matters most to them and their families. The conversation showed clearly that when people feel respected, understood and listened to, they are more willing to engage in meaningful dialogue about healthcare services.
Why O5BM’s Role Matters
O5BM is close to the people on the ground. That closeness creates trust, and trust creates engagement. Because our members know us, and because we have built strong relationships over time, they felt able to speak freely about their experiences, concerns and hopes for the future of cancer care.
This is exactly why community-led engagement matters. Too often, communities are described as “hard to reach”, when in reality they are simply more likely to respond when engagement is built on trust, familiarity and cultural understanding. O5BM was proud to create that space and to ensure that local voices were not only heard, but heard clearly.
Key Insights from the Conversation
Our members shared candid and thoughtful feedback on what the redesign of cancer services should look like:
- Travel and access: Participants highlighted that the main barriers to treatment are the physical and emotional stress of long journeys, as well as the financial burden of travelling to London-based hospitals.
- Support services: To make travel more manageable, the group suggested dedicated minibuses, improved ambulance access, and contracted transport services to reduce reliance on family members.
- Radiotherapy in Luton: A major point of discussion was the proposal for a second radiotherapy unit. Our members expressed a strong preference for this unit to be located at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital, bringing care closer to home and reducing anxiety around emergencies.
- Continuity of care: The group emphasised the importance of “seeing the same face” during treatment, noting that local centres would improve consistency of care and emotional support.
Why Your Voice Matters
The feedback gathered during this session has been formally reported to Olovus, who are managing the listening exercise on behalf of NHS England East of England. Every comment will be analysed and included in the final report that will help inform decisions about the future location of specialist services.
As one participant reflected, while there was initial hesitation about the proposed changes, the possibility of modern, safe and more accessible care could help save people from unnecessary suffering.
O5BM remains fully committed to making sure our community’s voice is heard when it matters most. This consultation showed what is possible when organisations trust community groups to lead engagement in ways that are open, authentic and rooted in lived experience. We are proud to have played this role, proud of the exceptional response from our members, and grateful to MVCC for recognising the value that O5BM brings in connecting with people at grassroots level.
