Health Secretary set to scrutinise hospital trust's redevelopment plans

It comes after Sajid Javid met with campaigners who continue to push the argument for a new hospital to be built on a new site in west Hertfordshire.

West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust is in line to receive major funding to invest in its facilities as part of the Government's New Hospital Programme.

The trust has decided to spend the bulk of the money it hopes to receive on rebuilding Watford General Hospital next to its current site, along with smaller investment in its St Albans and Hemel Hempstead hospitals.

It said its decision was "driven by the need to deliver new and better buildings in the shortest timeframe possible".

A CGI of the scheme that West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust has received planning permission for by Watford Borough Council to redevelop its facilities on a site next to its current Vicarage Road home. Credit: BDP/West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust

But there is a group of people, including Hemel MP Sir Mike Penning, who want to see a new hospital on a "clear central site" that's away from "crowded" Watford.

This month, Sir Mike and campaigners met with Mr Javid to outline the "problems" with the trust's redevelopment plans.

Sir Mike said: "Mr Javid listened to some very powerful evidence from experts in building, design and finance. We told him how much the trust has cut corners in forcing through the Watford General decision.

"He was interested to hear about new designs that might work especially well on a clear new site. There are so many reasons why the whole of west Hertfordshire would benefit from a truly new hospital on a clear site to fulfil the Government’s promise in 2019 – for instance good access for everyone, cheaper, speedy construction and a greener environment."

Tory politician Sir Mike was joined at the meeting by Philip Aylett, co-ordinator of the local New Hospital Campaign, and they shared with Mr Javid an image of a starfish-shaped hospital they believe could be developed on a new hospital site. It was created by David Leonard from Leonard Design and Deirdre King and was a finalist in the 2021 Wolfson Prize for Economics.

The starfish design. Credit: David Leonard from Leonard Design and Deirdre King

Sir Mike says the relatively recently appointed Health Secretary will "now ask the trust how they came to make their decision to rule out a new site in 2020".

The trust commissioned Royal Free London Property Services to undertake a site feasibility review of four greenfield sites, including in Chiswell Green, Kings Langley, Park Street, and Leverstock Green, but it was concluded greenfield options carry "far greater risk and complexity" compared to the Watford General site options.

The trust's plans, have received cross-party support from politicians in Watford and St Albans MP Daisy Cooper has also showed her backing for the proposal.

Watford's Conservative MP Dean Russell fears revisiting former options "risks south west Hertfordshire missing out altogether" on hospital funding.

He added: "I am sure the trust will be able to give the Health Secretary a comprehensive explanation of how they reached the decision that redeveloping its sites is a better option than demolishing them all."

Watford's Lib Dem mayor Peter Taylor reiterated Mr Russell's point about risk saying: "Local people have waited a very long time for these vital new facilities. This decision will only slow the process down, yet again, and could threaten this investment entirely.

"It is time to allow the trust to get on with their plans and deliver better hospital facilities now for all of us."

A West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust spokesperson said: "We’re very happy to share our rationale for ruling out a new site in favour of retaining and redeveloping our three hospitals.

"Our decision was driven by the need to deliver new and better buildings in the shortest timeframe possible."