Hemel Hempstead MP, Sir Mike Penning, visited Watford Hospital to meet West Herts Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Chief Executive Matthew Coats and Phil Townsend, Chair of Trust Board.

Sir Mike was shown round the hospital to see for himself the age and state of repair of many of the buildings in use.

Sir Mike said:

“It was a very interesting visit and, in areas not related to the new hospital proposals, we agreed to work together to improve healthcare for local people.

“As lots of my constituents regularly tell me, many of the buildings of this hospital are way past their sell-by-date and we urgently need to build a new hospital. Whilst the Trust and I agree that we urgently need a new hospital, we do not agree on how that should be done and where it should be.

“The Trust is making a big mistake in continuing to push for all major development to be on the current Watford site. The scheme they’ve come up with is way over the budget that the Treasury has set and, I think, very unlikely to be approved. They are just wasting time and money in pursuing this unattainable scheme.

“We need a new hospital on a new site that would serve all the people who live in the fast-growing towns of Hemel Hempstead, Watford and St Albans. The site should preferably be on a level surface near to a main road with room for free car parking and expansion.

“There are sites available that could be up and running in a matter of a few years. To try to build on the existing site whilst keeping it fully operational can only add to the delays and that doesn’t include allowing for problems they might find when they start demolition.

“I urge the Trust to think again.”

Photo: Matthew Coats, Sir Mike Penning MP, Phil Townsend, Chair of West Herts Hospital Trust Board.