The new chief executive for three hospitals in west Hertfordshire has been confirmed.

Matthew Coats will join West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in July replacing Christine Allen who is retiring.

The trust's chairman Phil Townsend says Mr Coats will bring a "wealth of experience" which includes more than 15 years in hospital management and at the Department of Health.

He has also spent a similar length of time in senior Government roles, such as in the Cabinet Office and Ministry of Justice.

Mr Townsend says Mr Coats' NHS experience includes the turnaround of emergency care at East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust, where he was operations director and then deputy chief executive before leaving in 2003.

His time at the Department of Health included overseeing national programmes on waiting times, the plan for reduction in MRSA rates, design and implementation of Choose and Book and moving diagnostics from film to digital.

Watford Observer: Screenshot of Matthew Coats in his role in GovernmentScreenshot of Matthew Coats in his role in Government

Mr Coats' appointment comes as the trust works on its business case as it tries to secure funding to invest into its facilities.

The trust's preferred option is a rebuild of Watford General Hospital, along with investment in St Albans and Hemel Hempstead hospitals, but the trust estimated what it wants to do could cost over £1 billion.

Watford Observer: CGI of what a rebuilt Watford General could look like in the form of three tower blocks (shown in dark grey). Credit: BDP/West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS TrustCGI of what a rebuilt Watford General could look like in the form of three tower blocks (shown in dark grey). Credit: BDP/West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Mr Townsend says the incoming chief executive has been following the trust's progress on its redevelopment programme because he lives locally.

The chairman added: "He [Mr Coats] will be a huge asset in pushing this forward and in forging strong partnerships across the health system as we continue to evolve the way care is delivered.

"I am confident that the challenging roles Matthew has excelled in so far will equip him very well for anything he will encounter here at West Herts Teaching Hospitals."

The announcement comes shortly after it was confirmed deputy chief executive Helen Brown will be leaving west Hertfordshire to join Whittington Health NHS Trust in north London as its new chief executive.