The mayor of Watford has written to the new Prime Minister seeking reassurance that Watford General Hospital will get the “vital” investment that it needs.
The trust that runs the hospital was among those to be selected in Boris Johnson’s New Hospital Programme in 2019.
Planning permission has been secured to rebuild the hospital on its Vicarage Road site in Watford in the form of three blocks – one of which would rise to 17 storeys.
West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, which is putting a business case together, still does not know how much funding it will receive. Earlier this year, it was estimated its rebuild plans in Watford, St Albans, and Hemel Hempstead could cost more than £1 billion.
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With Downing Street now changing hands, mayor Peter Taylor, who supports the trust’s development plans, has written to Liz Truss about the project.
Even though we have very different politics, I wish Liz Truss well in dealing with the big issues that face the country.
— Peter Taylor (@WatfordMayor) September 6, 2022
In Watford, a key issue is the redevelopment of our local hospital. I have written to our new Prime Minister to ask her to guarantee funding for the project. pic.twitter.com/SVQu2v0nYw
In his letter to Ms Truss, Mr Taylor told her the hospital is a “key issue” for Watford and the surrounding area.
He hailed the “commitment and care” shown by hospital staff but warned Ms Truss that in order for the hospital to be “fit” to serve residents into the future, it needs “urgent” modernisation and redevelopment.
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Confirming the Watford rebuild is backed by himself, the Conservative MP for Watford, and Liberal Democrat leaders in St Albans and Three Rivers, Mr Taylor continued: “You [Ms Truss] will undoubtedly be reviewing the programmes and projects put in by your predecessor.
“Can you reassure myself and the residents of Watford that the hospital building programme for Watford is safe and will progress without any delay?
“It is essential this vital investment is delivered to support the work of the NHS here.”
Watford MP Dean Russell said: “My unwavering commitment to see a new hospital in Watford for the people of West Herts is very well known in the Houses of Parliament and in Government.
"I am pleased that the work at a national and local level to deliver this much-needed project is gathering pace and I will continue to champion the need for investment with the new Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.”
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