Hemel Hempstead MP, Sir Mike Penning, has welcomed today’s announcement of funding for a new hospital in West Hertfordshire.

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Rt Hon Steve Barclay MP, made the announcement in the House of Commons today.

Sir Mike Penning said:

“I very much welcome this news. I and community action groups such as the New Hospital Campaign group have been campaigning for a completely new acute hospital for all in West Hertfordshire and I am delighted that a fully funded completely new building has been given the go ahead today.

“We are understandably disappointed that it will be on the existing Watford site when it is so obvious that a new site, equally accessible from Hemel Hempstead, St Albans and Watford would have been the more sensible option, but I concede that that battle has now been lost.

“It is right, though, to welcome this news. Watford General has deteriorated to such an extent that a completely new hospital is much needed and I know that staff and patients alike will be pleased with this news.

“I welcome the news that some of the money will go towards improving what we have at Hemel Hempstead and I will, of course, continue to work to ensure that we get the best we can out of this deal.”

The government is on track to deliver the manifesto commitment to build 40 new hospitals in England by 2030. Two hospitals are already complete and five in construction. By the end of next year more than 20 will be underway or complete.

Photo: Sir Mike Penning visiting Watford General Hospital earlier this year, pictured with West Herts Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Chief Executive Matthew Coats and Phil Townsend, Chair of the Trust Board.