I am pleased that West Hertfordshire Hospital NHS Trust was given the green light to continue with its redevelopment design and cost planning in recent weeks, after they were informed that funding to pay the external advisors they required to continue this work was being made available.

Watford has been earmarked as one of eight ‘Path Finder’ Trusts and is a priority under the government’s plans to build 40 new hospitals across the UK by 2030. The trust will be submitting the outline business case soon. I make no apology for constantly badgering and health and treasury ministers at every opportunity to ensure that Watford General Hospital gets the funding it deserves.

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As things stand, the plans would see Watford General overhauled, and improvements to the trust’s sites in Hemel Hempstead and St Albans. I wholeheartedly support these ambitious plans, as do many other local representatives. I have seen first-hand the tremendous work of the staff at Watford General and the passion of the leadership to deliver improved healthcare across West Herts.

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This ambition was shown when the trust was recently awarded teaching status in recognition of the high-quality training and education that it delivers. This will be a real boost to recruitment and retention. The redevelopment will vastly improve the patient experience, but also the working environment for the fantastic staff.

We have a huge opportunity to get behind the Trust and embrace the new opportunities afforded by advances in both medical and digital technologies to bring Watford General into the 21st Century, and I will continue to support the Trust in making this a reality.

  • Dean Russell is Conservative MP for Watford