Calls for council leader to put Watford General funding case to PM

In October 2019 Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged £400m for the Watford redevelopment but no firm decision has been made.

West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust bosses have drawn up plans for the site off Vicarage Road – which include three landmark blocks of up to 18-storeys.

But Watford General is among dozens of hospitals hoping to be funded as part of the government’s New Hospital Programme (NHP).

On Tuesday (December 14) council leader Richard Roberts was urged to write to the PM calling for full funding for the project.  

Boris Johnson (Image: PA)

The motion – originally submitted by Cllr Asif Khan – was not debated at the meeting, where the agenda was shortened as a precautionary measure against Covid spread.

Instead it was passed to a future meeting of the council's overview and scrutiny committee for consideration.

According to the motion – which was formally proposed to the full council by Cllr Sharon Taylor – funding for the redevelopment has “stalled”.

It also highlighted the benefits of the redevelopment to areas across west Hertfordshire, including St Albans and Hemel Hempstead.

An illustration of how the redevelopment hospital could look in the shape of three new buildings. Credit: West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust/BDP

And it says: “The Trust’s plan are the best and fastest way to deliver the much needed hospital and health facilities in west Hertfordshire.

“Residents have waited decades for this hospital to be redeveloped and this needs to be done as a matter or urgency.”

Cllr Asif Khan

Following the meeting leader of the county council Cllr Richard Roberts told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that it was “incredibly frustrating” that Watford General Hospital had not yet been rebuilt.

He said the county council was already involved in "conversations" with health bodies – including the West Herts Hospitals Trust and the Integrated Care System – looking at how to get the Watford regeneration "back on track".

But he said he would not be writing to the Prime Minister – who he noted had commented on Watford General just a couple of weeks ago.

“I think we need a stronger health offer in south west Hertfordshire for our 600k residents in south west Hertfordshire,” said Cllr Roberts.

“And it’s absolutely vital that Watford Hospital is regenerated or rebuilt.

“I don’t mind – as chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board and leader of the county council – where the hospital is built or rebuilt. What I do care about it is that it does get built.”

With Mount Vernon also seeking to develop a new site in Watford, Cllr Roberts also highlighted the need to address the provision of specialist cancer services, as well as the proposals for Princess Alexandra Hospital, in Harlow.