Sir Mike Penning MP has tabled a new Early Day Motion in the new Parliament calling for a new acute hospital to be built on a new site in West Hertfordshire.
The text of the motion reads:
EDM 28: New acute hospital in West Hertfordshire on greenfield site
That this House notes that the acute hospital in Watford was the first hospital to be built under the reign of Queen Victoria; further notes that the hospital has since been developed in an ad hoc manner and that the deterioration of its facilities has made it harder for the excellent doctors, nurses and auxiliary staff to carry out their work; notes that there is a lack of affordable parking facilities for staff, patients and visitors as a result of its location next to a Premier League football club; recognises the further pressure put on the hospital's facilities following the closure of acute services at St Albans and Hemel Hempstead which were opposed by the majority of local residents; and calls on the Government to halt the taxpayer-funded redevelopment of the Watford site and welcome the news that £590 million is available for a new acute hospital on a greenfield site that can serve all of the growing population of West Hertfordshire.
Early Day Motions are tabled by MPs and technically could be debated at the ‘earliest opportunity’, in reality however, that never happens. It is, though, used by MPs to raise awareness of issues they are concerned about and to highlight the issue with Government Ministers.
Sir Mike said:
“It is obvious that trying to upgrade or even rebuild the hospital on the existing site will be nigh on impossible whilst keeping it fully operational. It is also a completely unsuitable location to fairly serve the people of Hemel Hempstead and St Albans.“So I will continue to use every opportunity to put pressure on the West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust to see common sense.
“By building on a new site, the Trust could equally serve the people of Hemel Hempstead, Watford and St Albans with easy access, plenty of space for expansion and offer free (and level) car parking for staff, patients and visitors alike.”
“I understand Watford residents may be worried they will lose their hospital, but there is no reason why they cannot keep some non-acute services on the Vicarage Road site.
“I call on all West Hertfordshire MPs to back my Early Day Motion.”